ASSIMILATION OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH

                                 Act 2:41-47, 6:6-7, Matt 28:18-20
The
resurgence of interest in religion due to the challenges facing humanities and
with the increase in the church attempt to meet theses human challenges has
made the church to be a paramount force to reckon with when it comes to human
rescue.
Attempts’
being made by the church has resulted in the drastic increase in the number of
established churches, increase in church programs and activities, buildings,
events, resources and attendance. It is imperative to note that God’s agenda
which is the church mission is not for the church to be a Solution Centre alone
but also a Transformation Centre.

It is
generally believed that the easiest way to grow our church numerically is to
become a Solution Centre (Solving human challenges through the grace, gifts and
skills given to the church) but the best way to keep that growth is to become a
transformational Centre (Becoming a disciples of Christ) …Hmm… that ‘word’ again “DISCIPLESHIP”. Someone once
said that the “discipleship structure of
a church determines how productive the church will be in fulfilling divine
mandate…” Assimilating new members into the life of the church and making
them the ambassadors of Christ…Matt 28:18-20. Challenges will chase men to the
church and the solution provider (the church) will smoothen and ease their
pains but they will still be prone to the life’s problems if they are not
transformed into another man. This is what the church was designed for…” Hope of our calling”

an Equipped Church
For any
church to carry out the assimilation and retention structure effectively, we must
be:
a.    
A
Go-ing or Go-ye Church (Evangelism Structure)
b.    
A
Serving Church (Kingdom Service Structure)
c.     
A
Teaching Church (Word Impact)
d.    
A
Discipleship Church (Discipleship Structure)
e.    
A
Church with the Anointing (Understands the place of the Anointing)
f.      
A
Church with an Effective Administrative System  (Administrative Structure)
g.    
A
Church with an Effective Growth System (Transitional Growth Pattern)
According
to Greg Ogden in his book ‘Returning the
Ministry to the people’; he pointed out that the church will have to retain
its new members by training them and getting them involved in ministry. He
strongly believes that where people are involved they begin to claim ownership
and where people begins to own they’ll begin to invest in it.
Therefore,
·       
Ownership
leads to Participation
·       
 Participation leads to Investment of Time
·       
Investment
of Time leads to Investment of Resources
·       
Investment
of Resources leads to Addicted Commitment
·       
Addicted
Commitment leads to Good Productivity
·       
Good
Productivity leads to Growth and Expansion

Assimilation of new membership is simply moving visitors from
being a spectator to become full participants in the gospel movement from VISITORS to MEMBERS to WORKERS to LEADERS to MINISTERS
There is
a huge difference between, that church, their church, our church and my church.
It is a process from visitor to son-ship in the house.

Assimilating of Members in our
Churches
Over the times various methods have been adopted in
helping the church in her assimilation process of new membership. Never forget
that what people need is a place of rest and a place to call home. Some steps
that can we can take includes:
v Strong
believers’ class: to teach them biblical doctrine such as salvation,
repentance, Justification, Sanctification, Adoption, Baptism, the Holy Spirit
etc.
v Effective
visiting and follow-up team
v Highly effective  Home cell system with good and friendly environment
v Structural
Programs: Programs are structured to meet their needs.
v Establishing
your presence: send text messages from pastor, invite them to church social media
platforms, make them know that you care.
v Effective
service groups: train them to be effective and be open to others
v Avoid caucus
showmanship among brethren, absorb them as family
v Discipleship
structure: An effective discipleship system where they are introduced to church
principles, norms and values can be put in place.
v Kingdom
Outing: As they begin to grow, we can invite them also to church outreaches and
activities, it makes them integrate faster.