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Brian, Sean, Cindy
and Brendan Waple |
"Assimilation" -- Moving New Members From Simply
Attending to Belonging
By Cindy Waple,
with Larry Short & Steve Kearns
There is one experience every member
of Elim has in common – at different times, on
various Sundays, we all walked into the doors of
Elim for the very first time. Do you remember
your first visit to Elim? Who greeted you? Who
spoke to you? Though our experiences may vary,
a positive impression was made that led to our
staying at Elim.
Unfortunately,
this has not been the experience of everyone who has
visited Elim. Some visited once or twice, maybe even
longer, but then they left. Often churches do very well
in getting people in the front door, but rarely notice
when they slip out the back door. Research has shown
that if new members do not begin to assimilate into the
life of the church within a short amount of time, they
will begin to pull away and leave the church.*
One way to engage
visitors and potential members is through an
"Assimilation Ministry." It is through assimilation that
“new members move from simply attending to belonging."*
The Assimilation
Ministry that is being formed will move visitors into
the life of the church by providing opportunities to
learn about Elim; to be equipped and developed in areas
of spiritual formation; and to discern areas of service
and ministry where they can fully use their God-given
strengths and gifts in fulfilling the church’s mission
to connect, grow, serve and multiply disciples of Christ
who finish the race.
Assimilation is
the responsibility of every member of Elim. And every
member is invited to be a part of the Assimilation
ministry. Currently, a ministry team is being assembled
to implement an assimilation strategy. If you are
interested in serving on this team, or would like more
information, please contact Pastor Martin.
*Brian Magnuson: "Assimilating
New Members into Your Church," Church Growth
Magazine (2001).
