Dear Partners in Mission,
Are you familiar with the word, “assimilation”? Sometimes I wonder if what we use in the church is used very often in the “world.” With people moving in and out of jobs so many times in their lives, I assume there is less of a focus on someone getting assimilated to the company. I could be wrong, but maybe you can let me know if you received an extensive (and you felt, sufficient) orientation at the companies where you’ve worked. Do they still give an introduction to the philosophy of the company as well as the job responsibilities? To be honest, I think that would be important in the work world (from the newest “lowest” worker in the office to the chief executive).
The same applies in the church. We do provide an orientation for new members, by the pastor or in a group setting, but it does take more than that. Even in our relatively “young” congregation (started just 46 years ago), there is some history to tell and some core principles that are, well, “core” to our actions and rationale for being. That is part of the assimilation but it also requires connections for those new members. They need to connect up to the ministry that flows from those theoretical theological ideas.
From rule of thumb number twenty-seven in the book, “What Every Pastor Should Know: 101 Indispensable Rules of Thumb for Leading your Church,” we hear that “Your church should have a list of characteristics that describe a fully assimilated member.” Now I know this is less a “how to” than an evaluative tool to identify if the assimilation has occurred, but it can be helpful for any of us, in whatever stage of community life we find ourselves (someone who joined decades ago or someone who just a few weeks ago). It is crucial that this happen with new members for, according to the statistics, 82% of those who drop out of a church, drop out in the first year. That, of course, makes the first year of a person’s membership a crucial one. They will connect up that year or eight of the ten who join will be gone the first year.
So what are those “signs” that someone has been assimilated? What activities therefore help that assimilation? The authors (Gary McIntosh and Charles Arn, famous for their analysis of church growth, having done it for decades) suggest the following. I would suggest you look at them for YOUR assimilation and also for those you know in church who are relatively new to your community. You can (and should) do what you can to help them in their assimilation. Their future in ministry with you at your church depends on it. Some of these signs are self-evident but worth remembering anyway.
An Assimilated Member:
1) Attends worship regularly. This is the center of a community’s life and where members receive the gifts of God in Word and sacrament as well as offering thanks to God for those gifts. We can start and stop lots of other church activities but this is the sine qua non (without which nothing).
2) Is growing spiritually. What we are doing at church has to do with our relationship with God even more than our relationship with one another. In fact, if we’re not growing in our relationship with God, our relationship with each other is bound to suffer or be unhealthy.
3) Prays with and for the community. We try to bring by our bulletin to our shut ins so they know what we are involved in doing in ministry and what they can be praying for. That goes for members who pick up those bulletins as well at church.
4) Has “affiliated” with the church. That means they have made a commitment to the life of the community. Seems that “commitment” is something we “moderns” dislike today much more than in the past. Whether it’s marriage, or work, or family, or church, it seems more of a hurdle for people to connect up and stay connected. We all ought to be encouraging those we know at church (as guests or visitors) to make the commitment to membership.
5) Identifies with the community’s goals. That, of course, assumes the core principles have been identified and shared (not just held by the oldest members but presented to all and lived out by the actions of the community. To be honest, that is especially the role of the pastor in the pulpit, interpreting the mission and ministry to the members. It isn’t something we do once a year at stewardship appeal Sunday but weekly as it comes from the lessons.
6) Has a ministry role or task. That is simply living out James’ perspective that the faith needs to be “done” as much as “believed and heard.” Be doers of the Word not just hearers. Each of us has received a gift from God for the purpose that it be used for the common good. That applies to members of every age and every skill. That is how the community serves as the body of Christ.
7) Is involved in a fellowship group. Once again, this is about our connection to one another in the body. It is essential not just in the retention of new members but in the functioning of the body itself. It would be sad and counterproductive if we were all eyes, seeing the needs of those around us but not able to “do” anything (having no hands or feet). The more we are connected to other members, the better our worship and service will be.
8) Contributes financially. Ok, remember, I’m not making these up. They come from their bold statement of the truth as the authors see it. Though I’m always careful to focus on stewardship more than finances, the use of our financial resources will show what we believe and what is important to us. “Tithing” (giving 10% of our income to the church) seems clearly a thing of the past. So is 15% given to a waiter at the restaurant (I think they now “start” at a suggested 18 to 20%) but not so in the church. I expect you remember the story of the rich young man who could not give up his wealth to follow Jesus. Seems odd that we find 10% an onerous burden. Whatever the donation, it should be coming from our hearts. If it is non-existent, it likely says something about our hearts and commitment.
9) Lastly, an affiliated member participates in the Great Commission. It’s all about the good news with which we have been entrusted; God’s love for us through the life, death and resurrection of His Son for the sin of the world. It’s not on the pastor(s) or evangelism committee but on each disciple to go and make disciples.
So, how did you make out? Do you have some areas to work on with your own assimilation? Can you assist other newer members to find their way into these assimilation practices? I pray, for the sake of the witness in the world, we all can.
Peace in His service,
Pastor Johnson