Membership Matters: Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and Assimilation

by Chuck Lawless; Thom Rainer

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2009

Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and AssimilationFindings from a national study to improve membershipclasses and to motivate current members into activeministryHow do churches move members—both old and new—into ministry? Many church staff and lay leaders knowthey need to start new member classes as a point of entryinto their churches but don’t know how. This book isbased on a national study of effective churches andshows how growing churches implement new memberclasses and motivate their members into ministry.Membership Matters is designed to be a guide forchurch leaders wanting to start or improve a membershipclass. It includes models for classes and examplesof resources such as church covenants, class schedules,and lesson outlines. It also gives direction on motivatinguninvolved members to participate in ministry. Onechapter chronicles an ongoing discussion among pastorsof growing churches that are effectively motivatingmembers to do ministry.

Contents

Contents
List of Illustrations…9
Foreword by Thom Rainer…11
Acknowledgments…15
1. THE CHALLENGE…17
Moving Attenders into Membership and Ministry
2. “WHO’S GOT TIME FOR ANOTHER MEETING?” …31
The Scheduling Issues
3. “WHAT MATTERS MOST TO ME?” …47
The Relationship Issues
4. “WHAT SHOULDWE TEACH?” …63
The Curriculum Issue---Doctrine
5. “WHAT SHOULDWE TEACH?” …77
The Curriculum Issue---Mission and Expectations
6. “BUTWHAT ABOUT THOSEWHO STILL DON’T GET…93
INVOLVED?”
The Enlistment Issue
7. “WHERE DOWE START?” …109
The Transition Issue
8. “JUST GIVE ME THE FACTS” …125
A Pastors’ Forum
9. TIM’S STORY…143
Appendix 1: Sample Invitation Letter…151
Appendix 2: “Getting to Know You” Form 1…153
Appendix 3: “Getting to Know You” Form 2…155
Appendix 4: Spiritual Questionnaire…158
Appendix 5: Sample Gospel Presentation…160
Appendix 6: Sample Lesson on the Church…163
Appendix 7: The Expectation Pentagon Worksheet… 165
Appendix 8: Sample Membership Covenant…167
Appendix 9: Ministry Opportunities Checklist…170
Appendix 10: “Discovering Your Ministry” Worksheet…172
Appendix 11: Sample Sermon Outline…175
Appendix 12: New Member Evaluation Form…177
Appendix 13: Spiritual Growth Checklist…182
Appendix 14: Church Survey…183
Appendix 15: New Member Survey…190
Appendix 16: Churches That Participated in This Study…193
Notes…197
Subject Index…201

Product Details

• Title : Membership Matters: Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and Assimilation
• Authors:
  • Lawless, Chuck
  • Rainer, Thom S.
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2009
• ISBN: 9780310540144