Imagine a person made the effort to find out about your church. She visited the website, got all dressed up on Sunday and attended. She hugged strangers during fellowship, stood when you told her to stand, collected her free CD of that day’s message, gave to the offering and after returning home, she told all her friends about the experience she had.
The next day she received a phone call from the pastor (it was automated but that’s okay). Two days later a cute note arrived in the mail that read, “So glad we met”. She was excited and honored. She felt so special that with butterflies in her stomach, she decided to officially join the church. Then, months after sealing her membership, the phone calls ceased. No more cute notes arrived. No more butterflies. Inspiration was replaced by information. Soon she found herself relating to the lyrics of an old Prince song:
“What I wanna know baby, if what we had was good,how come you don’t call me anymore?”
Much attention is given to following up with the visitor, which is crucial in getting people to join the church. But do not forget the new member (1-2 years in). Oftentimes we fail in keeping new people in the church because we stop being as attentive to people once they are members. Let me offer three basic tips for engaging those newer members:
Assign a Membership Mentor. Match every new member with a person who has been at the church at least two years or more and has been trained in membership assimilation. Task this person with the responsibility of a weekly or bi-monthly phone call, email, or in-person connection.
Assess Their Gifts. Give the new member opportunity to discover who they are in Christ and how they can contribute to the church as a whole. Have her take a spiritual gifts assessment, even a DISC profile, or a combination of both. I recommend this online assessment. Get her involved!
Assume They Know Nothing. About your church, that is. People get lost or drift away sometimes due to us assuming they are adjusting. Do not assume a new person feels comfortable and knows her way around the church. Be intentional about casting vision, identifying staff, and highlighting ministries.
If you need help developing an Assimilation Plan for your church, give me a call and I promise I will call you back!–Pastor Anthony