Attracting
and Assimilating
the Unchurched in the 21st Century
A Mission Portland Study by David D.
Durey
Phone
503-659-5683, david@newhopecommunitychurch.org
For information on the "Intentional Disciplemaking Workshops"
visit
www.intentionaldiscipleship.net
Participating Churches in 2000:
Average Worship Attendance (9/31/00)
Christian Life Center (W)
766
City Bible Church (NE)
3000
City
Harvest Church (WA)
450
Crossroads
Church of Christ (NE)
675
East
Hill Foursquare Church (E)
5500
Faith Center Church
(WA)
500
Good
Shepherd Community Church (E)
3000+
Greater
Portland Bible (SW)
1074
Mt.
Olivet Baptist (N)
1400
New Beginnings Christian Center (NE)
3000
New
Heights Church (WA)
3000
New Hope Community Church (SE)
1700
Portland
Christian Center (SW)
1790
Rolling Hills Community Church (SW)
2875
Sunset
Presbyterian Church (W)
2300
(Click on a specific church above for a full
summary report on that church.)
The 15 Participating Churches are
located in seven regions of the metropolitan area:
N – 1
North Portland
WA – 3
Vancouver, WA
SW – 3
Southwest Portland
SE – 1
Southeast Portland and Oregon City
NE – 3
Northeast Portland
E – 2
Gresham and Boring
W – 2
Northwest Portland and Aloha
These 15 leading churches represent nearly 10% of the weekly worship
attendance of the Portland area. The following are the combined key statistics for the
participating churches:
Weekly worship attendance
34,436
Weekly number of visitors:
532
Annual number of conversions:
5381
Annual number of new members:
2477 (many don’t record membership)
Weekly Adult Education attendance:
4284
Weekly small group attendance:
11,270
Introduction
Rick Warren, author
of The Purpose Driven Church, says, “Assimilation is the task of moving
people from an awareness of your church to attendance at your church to active
membership in your church” (309). In America over the past several decades, the
church has generally failed to “go and make disciples” of unchurched people in
fulfillment of the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20).
When the church has attracted newcomers, they rarely stay. Herb Miller contends
that in the average congregation in America, only 12 percent of first-time
visitors return the following Sunday and eventually become members. A few
congregations have 20 or 25 percent retention but rarely would any church
surpass 30 percent (How to 1). How can Christian congregations improve
at attracting and assimilating the unchurched?
Purpose and Methodology
The purpose of this study was to identify transferable principles drawn
from investigating several churches that have been successful in attracting and
assimilating unchurched people through outreach, evangelism, newcomer welcome,
visitor follow-up, new Christian follow-up, discipleship, and mobilizing and
equipping for lay ministry. Five research questions were created to help
identify the principles and practices used by churches to attract and assimilate
unchurched people: (1) What principles and practices used by these churches have
been most successful in attracting and evangelizing unchurched people? (2) How
do these churches welcome and follow up unchurched visitors and new converts?
(3) How do these churches provide an opportunity for new people to gain a sense
of belonging? (4) How do these churches see that people are discipled into
fully-devoted followers of Christ? (5) How do these churches help people take
up the responsibility to serve in personal ministry?
This study was
conducted in cooperation with Mission Portland. Utilizing a multi-case
approach, fifteen leading churches were selected from among the fifty Portland,
Oregon/Vancouver, Washington area churches that have the highest weekly worship
attendance. An on-site interview was conducted with the senior pastor or an
associate pastor. In addition, each church provided printed materials and
interviews with three new Christians who had been successfully assimilated into
the church within the past twelve to twenty-four months. These new Christian
interviews provided a valuable “outside-in” perspective that served as a
corrective to several of the responses offered by the church leaders.
Context of the Study
The cities of the world and our nation have
become the modern day mission fields of the world because that is where the
people are. In 1900 only 10 percent of the world’s population lived in urban
areas. By the late 1990s approximately 50 percent of the world’s people were
urban dwellers. In the United States 90 percent of the population live in urban
settings (Dennison, City 13-14). The 50 largest metropolitan areas of
America alone account for a population of approximately 150 million people
(Thomas “Largest” par. 10).
This study was
conducted within the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area.
According to bizjournals.com demographic journal, the greater Portland
metropolitan area ranked twenty-second among America’s largest metropolitan
areas in 1998 (Thomas “Largest” par. 10). From 1990 to 1998 Portland was the
seventh fastest growing metropolitan area in America with 19.83 percent growth
in population (Thomas “Largest” par. 2). Projections for the year 2020 indicate
that the greater Portland area will remain one the America’s largest and fastest
growing urban centers (Thomas “Projected” par. 3).
Based on the
population and growth of the Portland metropolitan area and its relatively
strong church involvement, Portland is representative of the majority of
America’s larger metropolitan areas. Portland is also a city that faces
challenges that are common to large urban areas. Therefore, whatever practices
and principles are discovered to be effective in Portland will likely be
transferable or adaptable to churches in the top 250 metropolitan areas of the
United States, all of which have a population of 100,000 or more (Thomas,
“Rankings” par. 4).
Population and Sample
The fifteen churches selected for this study represented a balance between
denominational and independent churches and range in attendance from around five
hundred worshipers per weekend to over 5500. Seven churches have denominational
affiliation and a combined worship attendance of over 15,400. Three are
Pentecostal, two are Baptist, one is Church of Christ and one is a United
Presbyterian, a mainline denomination. The eight independent churches have a
worship attendance of approximately 15,600 and are made up of three evangelical
community churches, four independent charismatic churches and one Bible church.
From a theological perspective there is again a balance, this time between
Pentecostal/charismatic and Evangelical/non-charismatic churches. Seven
congregations represent the Pentecostal and charismatic traditions with just
over fifteen thousand people attending weekly worship. The eight evangelical,
non-charismatic churches have a worship attendance of over sixteen thousand.
What is true of all fifteen churches is that they are clearly theologically
conservative and evangelistic.
Each church provided interviews
with three new Christians who had been successfully assimilated within the
previous twelve to twenty-four months. The total number of interviews was
forty-five. The number of married couples and single adults and the number of
men and women were very balanced. The dispersion of ages represents a bell
curve. Just two young people were in high school or recent graduates.
Twenty-seven of the new Christians were young adults in their twenties to
mid-thirties. Another twenty-seven individuals were in their middle adult
years, approximately thirty-five to fifty-five years old. Finally, three were
senior adults fifty-five or older. However, the ethnic make-up of the new
Christians interviewed was predominantly caucasian. Only four persons were
African American, and one was Hispanic.
Major Findings
The major findings of this study can be
categorized in three areas: personal relationships, intentionality, and small
groups. First, personal relationships were the most significant reason why
unchurched people were attracted to and stayed in the church. Second, these
churches were intentional in reaching lost people, welcoming visitors and
providing a pathway for spiritual formation. Finally, the practice of providing
small groups was found to be the most effective means of helping new people form
significant relationships and grow spiritually.
Personal Invitations
First, the significance of personal
relationships is illustrated by the fact that when asked, “What attracted you to
this church?” over 70 percent of the new Christians interviewed responded by
saying it was a personal invitation (see Chart: Reasons for Attracting
Unchurched People). Christians need to be like Andrew who went and found his
brother Simon Peter and invited him to come and see Jesus (John 1:40-42).
Miller states, “Invitations are the way churches open their doors” (How to
31-32). Consider the research conducted by Church Growth, Inc. of Monrovia,
California. When more than 42,000 Christians were asked, “What or who was
responsible for your coming to Christ and your church?” over 75 percent said
that it was a friend or relative (Arn and Arn 45-46). Several church leaders
elaborated that the primary means of attracting unchurched people is the life
and witness of those who already attend. First, mature Christians are
encouraged to build relationships with the unchurched and extend personal
invitations to the church and to Christianity. Second, new converts often reach
their unsaved friends through their testimony and the witness of a changed
life. Executive Pastor of East Hill Foursquare Church, Marc Gale, explains,
“Our people are our tool for evangelizing. What God has done in their lives is
an example for the people that they are around—in families, in neighborhoods and
in the workplace. Our members either extend an invitation to their unchurched
friends or these friends visit East Hill because of what they see the Lord has
done in our member’s lives.”
Like attracts like
When the church leaders were asked to describe those that were being
attracted to these churches the principle of “like attracts like” was a major
factor. “Explosive growth occurs when the type of people in the community match
the type of people that are already in the church and they both match the type
of person the pastor is.” Warren declares, “You will attract who you are, not
who you want” (Purpose 175-177). Churches in this study generally
reflect their community and regional demographics—socially, economically, and
ethnically. Bill Towne, associate pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church,
comments, “We just did a survey in the Spring that compared our body to the
community within five to seven miles of us and we were really identical in
demographics.” The churches that are seeking to be multiracial have used the
“like attracts like” principle by hiring a multiracial pastoral staff.
Relational outreach
These leading churches primarily use relational ministries to mobilize their
members for outreach. Most people become Christians and enter the church
through webs of relationship¾common
kinship, common friendship, and common association. This provides the most
effective means of assimilating new members into the church through the use of
existing relationships (Arn and Arn 40-53; Neighbour 61). Eleven churches
reported using invitational events where members are encouraged or even required
to bring friends. Nine churches use small groups to connect with the unchurched.
Thirteen churches reported using personal outreach or relational evangelism
strategies. Four churches seek to develop relationships through need-meeting
ministries such as groups for young mothers, sports ministries, and support and
recovery classes. Another relational strategy used by three churches is the
Lighthouse Movement that emphasizes praying for your circle of influence, caring
for them and finally sharing the gospel with them. Only three churches
mentioned outreach strategies that were not service oriented or relationally
based.
A friendly, caring welcome
The importance of personal relationships to newcomers is illustrated by the
fact that when asked, “Why did you stay?” over 77 percent of those interviewed
responded in the combined categories of friendliness and caring, new
relationships, or small group involvement (see Chart: Why The Unchurched Stay).
Fifty-three percent of the responses specifically indicated the importance of
the church being friendly and caring. One new Christian said, “I think I’ve
stayed because of the love that they have showed me and that they have cared.”
Relational groups
These churches provide relational opportunities beyond corporate worship for
members and newcomers to establish and maintain vital friendships and Christian
fellowship. Assimilating new people into the church takes place naturally when
you assist them in developing a circle of friends, joining a group or class, and
finding a meaningful way to serve others (McIntosh, Exodus 146; Martin;
Orr 6; Schaller, Assimilating 76-77). Church leaders and new Christians
both stated that small groups were the most effective at connecting newcomers
into vital relationships. Other connection ministries included midsized groups
such as adult bible classes, newcomer and membership classes, need-meeting
ministries, and new believer’s classes. Also, some people connected through
one-on-one discipleship and volunteer ministry (see Chart: How Unchurched People
Have Formed Significant Friendships).
Relationships and spiritual growth
Finally, the key to successful nurture of new believers is relationship (Stutzman
59). Seven responses were suggested by 20 percent or more when the new
Christians were asked, “What has helped you grow spiritually?” Personal Bible
reading and preaching/corporate worship were the only two responses that were
not high relationship contexts. The others were ministries where personal
relationships and growth were combined: one-on-one discipleship or mentoring,
Christian basics classes, adult education classes, seminars for spiritual
formation, and small groups.
Intentionality
These fifteen leading churches illustrate the power of intentionality. They
are mission driven, purposeful, and focused in their ministries. They serve as
examples of how churches must organize and operate with intentionality if they
are to successfully attract and assimilate unchurched people.
Reaching lost people
Rather than organizing themselves to just serve the “saints,” the common
theme for these churches is reaching “lost people.” Most of the churches do not
have a highly defined “targeted group” though ten churches have identified a
general target. For example, New Beginnings Christian Center is seeking to be a
multiracial congregation with at least 50 percent non-white, yet pastor Makowski
states, “We don’t have a targeted group; we are trying to reach them all.
You can come into our church and find an executive sitting next to a guy all
tattooed up and just out of prison.” Paul MacLurg of New Heights Church
illustrates the attitude of these churches, “We are after unchurched people,
people who are lost, who don’t know Christ at all.” This intentional focus on
reaching lost people is demonstrated through the eight methods of mobilizing
members for outreach discussed in the section on personal relationships.
Visitor welcome
These churches expect visitors; therefore, they prepare for “company.”
Collectively, the church leaders provided a checklist of eighteen different
items that help create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. In addition to
stationing greeters at every door, several churches have roaming greeters that
identify guests who need to be escorted to the nursery or a class. Many
churches provide an “Information Center” near the main entrance and have printed
materials available explaining the various ministries offered at the church.
They often provide printed maps of their facilities in addition to mounting
directional signs throughout the building. Several churches also provide a
separate hospitality center for guests. Over half of the new Christians
interviewed said that the friendliness and caring of the church was a major
factor in why they stayed. During one new Christian interview at Crossroads
Church, I met a spouse who is still investigating Christianity. He regularly
attends worship services and volunteers at the church’s Food Bank. He
powerfully illustrates the welcoming atmosphere that these churches provide to
unchurched people, “Everybody has embraced us, from Pastor Tom to the greeters.
You don’t feel like an outsider you feel like a family member. It's not just
talk. I think that’s very important.”
Visitor follow-up
Though strategies varied, every church also had an intentional plan for
visitor follow-up. After attending one of these leading churches, a first-time
visitor could receive a letter, an e-mail, and one to three phone calls, all
within one week after their first visit. Christian Life Center in Aloha has the
most thorough visitor followup system. They call it Care Ministry. During the
first week, the Care Ministry tries to provide five touch points. On Monday,
guests receive a plate of freshly baked cookies delivered to their door to
express appreciation for attending Christian Life Center. On Tuesday, a Care
Ministry team leader will make a phone call to each guest. A letter from the
senior pastor arrives on Wednesday and is followed up by a phone call from the
associate pastor on Friday. Finally, a Care Ministry team member will provide
another personal phone call on Saturday. Pastor Rienas suggests that 20 percent
of those who visit a church visit again, another 20 percent will never return no
matter what follow-up is done. However, 60 percent of guests need nurture and
follow-up if they are to return.
Spiritual formation path
A majority of the churches indicated that they had created a specific pathway
for spiritual growth. Most offered this formation pathway in the form of
seminars or classes. All of these churches provide specific ministries to
assist in the spiritual growth of newcomers and members. Eleven churches
reported that they used small groups as a primary tool for helping disciples
grow. Eight churches acknowledged adult education as a significant ministry for
Christian maturation. One-on-one discipleship was also mentioned. The new
Christian interviews verified that, along with preaching and corporate worship,
all of these ministries helped with spiritual growth.
Member expectations
These congregations have clear expectations of their members and have
identified the characteristics of what they want to see in a fully-assimilated
person. Regarding approaches to membership, Schaller would label these
“high-commitment” rather than “voluntary association” churches (Bridges
97-103). These church leaders identified expectations that are almost identical
to those listed in the review of literature. The top ten expectations were
financial giving, worship attendance, small group participation, ministry
involvement, some form of written or public covenant or commitment, salvation,
godly living, water baptism, a commitment to unity, and a commitment to personal
spiritual growth.
Small Groups
Small groups are big ministries for these leading churches. All but one of
these churches use small groups as a primary ministry tool. In six churches, 50
percent or more of those who attend worship also attend a small group. Five of
the fifteen churches are organized as cell churches. Church leaders mentioned
small groups as an important element for each of the five research questions,
but two were especially significant: gaining a sense of belonging and discipling.
In other words, the practice of providing small groups is the most effective
means of helping new people form significant relationships and grow spiritually.
Mobilizing for evangelism
Nine churches stated that they use small groups to mobilize members for
evangelism. This is especially true of those churches that use the cell-church
approach. In cell-based churches the primary concern is cell-group evangelism
that results in cell multiplication. The vision of each cell is to be outward
focused, not inward focused. Fellowship within the cell is always present, but
it is not the primary goal (Comiskey, Reap 48). Every other cell meeting
is an evangelistic outreach. This helps maintain a healthy balance between
in-reach and outreach. The cells are continually hosting outreach barbecues and
picnics or doing servant evangelism in their neighborhood or within their sphere
of influence.
Visitor and new believer follow-up
In reference to cell-based churches, Joel Comiskey suggests that small groups
provide effective follow-up for visitors and new converts that have entered the
church through the worship celebrations services or other larger events (Explosion
72). Even though none of the churches reported using small groups as part of
their visitor follow-up, eight of the new Christians stated that small group
involvement was why they had stayed. Small groups were the primary method
suggested by these churches for new believer follow-up. Three churches offered
small groups that were specifically for new believers. Ten church leaders
expressed that their concern was to get new believers connected into a small
group or cell.
Friendships
This study suggests that small
groups are very effective in helping newcomers gain friendships and a sense of
belonging. Many authors suggest that small group involvement should be one of
the first concerns for new members (Arn and Arn 154; Schaller, “Networks”; Towns
231). Slaughter states, “We have found that people can find their way quickly
out the back door of the church, if they don’t become established in a small
group after the process of membership. People stay in a church because they
find fulfillment through significant relationships and responsibilities.
Relationships are not formed in a crowd!” (Slaughter 74). Fourteen of the
churches indicated that small groups were how they sought to connect new people
into vital relationships. The new Christian interviews overwhelmingly confirmed
small groups as the most effective tool for forming friendships in the church.
Over 68 percent mentioned small groups, and no other response even received 30
percent (see Chart: Connecting Newcomers Into Vital Relationships). Small
groups are such a high priority for nine of these churches that it is stated as
an expectation of those who are members.
Spiritual growth
Small groups are one of the most effective means of helping new believers
grow and mature in their faith. Howard Snyder affirms, “Small group meetings
are essential to Christian experience and growth” (150). Mead suggests that one
of the most successful models of small group discipleship was that of early
Methodism. “Wesley’s genius invented the class meeting for adult training in
discipleship. To this day, no better model of lay formation has been invented”
(49). Coleman points out that Jesus also employed a small group for the
formation of the twelve apostles (24-26). This study provides collaborative
evidence for these statements. Eleven churches reported that small groups are
their primary tool for helping disciples grow. Though eighteen different items
were identified that help new believers grow, small groups were mentioned most
with 44 percent of the new Christian interviews (see Chart:
Helping New Christians Grow).
Entry level ministry
Small groups also provide new people with a safe, meaningful
context for entry-level ministry. Those who attend a cell church begin to serve
almost immediately in the context of a small group. At City Bible Church, cell
leaders are encouraged to include people in service within their cells right
away. Marc Estes states, “We don’t want our people to be pew warmers. We want
to get them serving immediately in non-leadership roles through cells and other
entry-level ministries.” At City Harvest, cell groups do ushering, greeting,
and hospitality after each worship service on a rotating schedule that repeats
about every six weeks. This allows the members of the cell to serve as a unit
along with other cell groups. Cells also seek to find service opportunities
through outreach within their neighborhood and within the community.
Implications
Portland, Oregon and the greater northwestern part of the
United States have often been considered uniquely unchurched but perhaps that is
not nearly so. This study would imply that Portland shares much in common with
other cities and urban areas. Furthermore, these leading churches illustrate
that they have been strongly influenced by the principles and practices found in
the literature on church growth and church health. However, two major
distinctions are identified between the practices of these churches and those
discussed in church growth literature: need-meeting ministries for outreach and
creating a highly define “target group.”
Need Meeting Ministries
This study does not suggest that
need-meeting ministries are not effective in attracting unchurched people. In
fact, East Hill Foursquare Church, one of the largest congregations in the
study, has sought to touch broken and hurting people through “healing
evangelism.” With the understanding that ultimately Christ is the answer, East
Hill has attempted to meet the needs of people whose lives have been shattered,
whether through divorce, drugs, abuse, or addictions. The church has always
endeavored to be a safe and healing place for those who are hurting; however,
fewer than half of the church leaders reported mobilizing members for outreach
through need-meeting ministries or service evangelism, and only three churches
suggested that these were primary reasons why the unchurched came. The new
Christian interviews are even more revealing in that not one person mentioned
need-meeting ministries as a reason that they were attracted to the church.
Target Groups
Today, many experts state that
congregations that attract unchurched people often “target” the specific type of
person they are trying to reach. They suggest creating a composite profile of
the typical unchurched person you are trying to reach by identifying your target
group geographically, culturally, and demographically by age, marital status,
income, education, and occupations, then making that profile into a mythical
person such as “Unchurched Harry” (Warren, Purpose 161-170; Towns 46).
Warren states, “No single church can possibly reach everyone. It takes all
kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people” (156). Yet, none of the
churches in this study were this specific even if they claimed to have a
targeted group that they were trying to reach. The common theme was simply
reaching “lost people.”
Practical Applications
Throughout the research, analysis,
reflection, and writing, a number of practical applications continued to
surface. Two relate to attraction and outreach while the other two focus on
assimilation.
Encourage Personal Invitations
Churches need to provide
opportunities and encouragement for members to extend personal invitations.
According to Lutheran Church historian Martin Marty, one word defines the
difference between churches that grow and those that do not. When a church is
not growing, its members are not “inviting.” “Invitations are the way churches
open their doors” (Miller How to 31-32). Church leaders must instill
this as a value in their people. Leaders cannot rely on visibility or other
elements of attraction. Those who attend must be inviting those who do not.
Churches need to create events, ministries, and activities about which their
members feel excited and to which they want to invite their unchurched friends.
Worship services also need to be high quality and seeker friendly so members
know they can be enthusiastic in encouraging friends to attend.
Rolling Hills Community Church is
a good example of an inviting church. They offer a lot of bridge-in events
throughout the year, such as drama presentations, a mother-daughter tea, and a
garden tour. Also, “every weekend service we present the gospel,” states Bill
Towne. “So, we encourage people to bring their friends. We try to work
primarily through networks of relationships so the people we are reaching are
people like us. They know that it is a safe place to bring their unchurched
friends.” George Barna suggests that in successful churches, members realize
that inviting people to church is just part of their responsibility. They are
also expected to accompany their guests to the church activity then provide the
follow-up (100).
Equip Members for Personal Evangelism and
Follow-up
Churches need to equip members to share the gospel
personally rather than depending on public invitations which often lack clear
explanations of the gospel and can create quick uninformed “decisions” for
Christ. New Heights Church seeks to equip members and lay leaders with tools
that they can use to share the gospel on a person-to-person basis. Pastor
MacLurg states, “Frankly, regarding the public presentation of the gospel, I’ve
found that a lot of people don’t get it until someone sits down with them
personally and says, ‘here’s what the Bible says about how you can know for sure
that you are going to heaven, how you can be forgiven, and how to be saved.’”
If public invitations are used,
then churches must provide personal contact and counsel with relational
follow-up. City Harvest Church uses an “altar call” for inviting people to make
a public commitment to Jesus Christ, and they have fifty altar workers available
to pray with people who respond to the invitation to accept Christ. The altar
worker who prays with the new convert continues one-on-one follow-up with them
for at least three weeks or until they get connected in a cell group. The goal
is that within three weeks, new converts will cover three simple booklets with
the discipler and begin attending a cell group. Pastor MacGregor tracks the
discipleship efforts of these altar workers and serves as their coach using a
seventeen point “Followup Questionnaire.”
Small Group Formation Path
Churches should consider combining
the intentionality of a spiritual formation path with the relational support and
accountability provided by small groups. Warren states that “believers grow
faster when you provide a track to grow on” (Purpose 335). He also
acknowledges that Christians need relationships in order to grow and that
believers develop best in the context of fellowship (338-339). Many of these
churches provide a track for spiritual formation, but almost all of them use a
seminar or classroom format rather than small groups. Small groups are where
people learn and grow the best, not classrooms. At Greater Portland Bible
Church, they facilitate their process of spiritual formation through basic
accountability groups and ongoing accountability groups. As a new Christian
moves along and begins to demonstrate the qualities of a disciple he or she is
invited to a higher commitment level, which is called the “Follow Me”, stage.
They continue to work on their growth process in a small group using a different
curriculum for up to a year and a half. Dennis Blevins states, “As they
continue to grow, we then move them into the ‘Be with Me’ stage where they begin
to take on ministry leadership responsibilities.” Even at this stage, they
continue in an ongoing accountability group which helps them continue to grow.
Cell-based churches also encounter challenges in helping Christians continue
to mature and grow. Cells are great for evangelism and fellowship, but the cell
leader must be able to provide spiritual formation for members who are at
various levels of maturity. Cell-based churches must find a way of providing
for the ongoing spiritual formation of group members who do not go on to be new
cell leaders.
Update Membership Class
Finally, churches should provide a
membership class that will spell out the expectations of a fully-assimilated
member and build new relationships. The research in this study indicated that
these churches had essentially the same expectations of new members as they did
for those they considered to be fully assimilated in the church. The
expectations of members should be made clear during the membership class. They
help newcomers evaluate if they want to continue to associate with the church,
and they project what newcomers can anticipate for their future involvement
within the church. Leaders should secure commitments to those expectations up
front during the membership process. The commitments obtained during this phase
are primarily all that can be expected. It isn’t fair to allow people to join
without knowing all that will be expected of them. Two important expectations
that will benefit both the new members and the church are to require small group
commitment and personal ministry during the membership process.
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