An effective assimilation system

Church planting training is an awesome process.

Effective churches with healthy ministries are built on effective systems. For example, New Walk Church and Pastor Gary Baldus use eight systems in the structure of a very successful church.

Author Nelson Searcy's book "Fusion" is the best on the market (in my opinion) at one of those eight systems: the process of Assimilation. That's a big word; you may have never used it before. So let's put it in simple words to understand.

What is the process a church takes reach people as first-time guests and move them into a mature relationship with Christ as a member of the church or the servant ministry? In other words, how do we take the person in the community who has no exposure to the church and effectively bring them into the doors for the first time, draw them back a second time, and eventually lead to transformational and incarnational life change through Jesus Christ? As this happens, they are plugged in, discipled and eventually recycle the process by investing the same in someone new.

Churches have many kinds of assimilation systems which incorporate dynamic elements: welcoming, hospitality, worship connection, small groups, children's ministry, follow-up, discipleship, etc.

So my question posed is this:

1. For those currently serving in the church, what effective systems do you employ to assimilate new people into your church? What works, and what are your struggles?

2. When this process happened with you, what were the most effective and productive things to bring you along in this process? When you met Jesus and your life was radically changed by Him, how did the church reach you and help you grow into ministry?

There is much debate in the modern church about how we minister to the unchurched. Attractiveness should never replace Biblical principles; in fact it should be modeled by them and utilized to connect and assimilate your culture and community in the best possible way.

No system is perfect, your vision and your community helps define what works.

Jesus is perfect, and it's our job to fulfill the Great Commission, and an essential part of it is reaching, teaching and growing new believers in all the world.

How are you doing it, and what did a church do that launched this process in you? Post the comments to the blog or my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/krisfreeman .

Discuss, and invest it in someone you know. Let's be kingdom builders.

Be blessed!

Pastor K