Stephen Gray © 2008 Creating A Strong Assimilation System.

Stephen Gray © 2008

Creating A Creating A Strong Assimilation Strong Assimilation

SystemSystem


Why is it important Why is it important to be intentionalto be intentional

about assimilation?about assimilation?


““Everyone wants to have Everyone wants to have first-time guests, but few first-time guests, but few really plan for them…”really plan for them…”

Gary McIntosh Beyond The First Visit (Baker Books: 2006)Gary McIntosh Beyond The First Visit (Baker Books: 2006)


Most people will make up Most people will make up their mind whether to their mind whether to

come back to your church come back to your church within the first within the first 1515

minutes.minutes.

First impressions are First impressions are EVERYTHINGEVERYTHING!!


American Church FactsAmerican Church Facts

–Only 16.8% of the American Only 16.8% of the American population attend church. population attend church.

–8 of 10 have no idea what 8 of 10 have no idea what church is really about.”church is really about.”

David Olsen David Olsen The American Church in CrisisThe American Church in Crisis (Zondervan: 2008) (Zondervan: 2008)


Questions First-time Questions First-time attendees are asking:attendees are asking:

–Can I trust them? Can I trust them? –Do they really have the Do they really have the

answers I need? answers I need? –Do they really care about my Do they really care about my

life?life?


Good assimilation depends on Good assimilation depends on your ability to create a your ability to create a safesafe

and and comfortablecomfortable environment environment for a first-time guest.for a first-time guest.

Not Not seeker sensitiveseeker sensitive, but , but seeker seeker intelligible.intelligible. You have to create a safe You have to create a safe enough environment for the first-time enough environment for the first-time guest to feel comfortable enough to guest to feel comfortable enough to

hear a difficult truth.hear a difficult truth.


Win-Arn Study 1980’sWin-Arn Study 1980’s““A church needs to keep about A church needs to keep about 16%16% of its first- of its first-

time guests to experience a minimal growth time guests to experience a minimal growth rate of rate of 5%5% a year. Rapidly growing churches a year. Rapidly growing churches

are keeping are keeping 25 to 30%25 to 30% of first-time guests. of first-time guests. Declining churches are keeping only Declining churches are keeping only 5 to 8%5 to 8%

of first-time guests…”of first-time guests…”

If a church can get the first-time visitor to If a church can get the first-time visitor to come back a second time, the retention come back a second time, the retention

rate is rate is 85%85%..Win Arn Win Arn The Church Growth Ratio BookThe Church Growth Ratio Book, (Monrovia, CA 1980.), (Monrovia, CA 1980.)


Why do you think people Why do you think people don’t come back, or stay for don’t come back, or stay for long when they come again?long when they come again?


How to create How to create a better system a better system

for retention.for retention.


The ultimate goalThe ultimate goal::

Making first-time guests Making first-time guests fully fully devoted followers.devoted followers.


So we have to learn how get…So we have to learn how get…

First-timeFirst-time

GuestGuest

Second-timeSecond-time

GuestGuest

RegularRegular

AttendeeAttendee

On On

MissionMission

We need to We need to ______________ the gaps. the gaps.bridgebridge


Three areas of concernThree areas of concern

I.I. Pre-Service Pre-Service connectionconnection

II.II. Service time Service time connectionconnection

III.III. Follow-upFollow-up connection connection


I. Pre-serviceI. Pre-serviceFour ComponentsFour Components

A.A.GreetedGreeted

B.B.DirectedDirected

C.C.TreatedTreated

D.D.SeatedSeated


A) Greeted A) Greeted

Repeat:Repeat:

EverythingEverything speaks to a first-time speaks to a first-time guest. guest. EverythingEverything!!

The The minuteminute guests drive onto guests drive onto your lot they are making your lot they are making

decisions about you!decisions about you!


What is your What is your perception of perception of this church? this church?


What does your visitor really What does your visitor really see when they walk in the see when they walk in the

doors of you church?doors of you church?– Drive into your meeting place and look Drive into your meeting place and look

around, what do you see? around, what do you see? – Is there trash?Is there trash?– Is the paint chipping?Is the paint chipping?– Are there trees that need trimming or grass Are there trees that need trimming or grass

that needs cut?that needs cut?– Does the parking lot have weeds around it?Does the parking lot have weeds around it?


Find the most Find the most outgoingoutgoing and and friendlyfriendly people you can to put people you can to put

at the front door. at the front door.

Have weekly Have weekly pep-talkpep-talk meetings meetings before service.before service.

Make sure your volunteers show up at Make sure your volunteers show up at least least 4040 minutes early and remind minutes early and remind

volunteers why they are there. Remind volunteers why they are there. Remind them how to greet people.them how to greet people.


B) DirectedB) Directed

Poor Poor signagesignage is a huge problem in most is a huge problem in most churches. churches.

Two of the most important places for Two of the most important places for parent’s find. parent’s find.

1.1.BathroomBathroom2.2.Children’s CenterChildren’s Center


Remember only Remember only 16.8%16.8% of of Americans go to church.Americans go to church.

So, So, 88 out of every out of every 1010 guests who guests who come into your church are anxious come into your church are anxious

about being there.about being there.

You have heard Location, location, You have heard Location, location, location. location.

Well, remember signs, signs, signs!Well, remember signs, signs, signs!


C) TreatedC) Treated

Most members in every Most members in every church tend to church tend to clustercluster..

You have to be intentional You have to be intentional about not allowing this to about not allowing this to

happen.happen.


““businesses that get return businesses that get return customers deliver on what they customers deliver on what they

promise plus 1 percent…”promise plus 1 percent…” Ken Blanchard Ken Blanchard Creating Raving FansCreating Raving Fans (William Marrow 1993) (William Marrow 1993)

Remember the Remember the 3/333/33 rule. rule.

For every For every 33 people that say people that say something nice about your church something nice about your church 3333 will have something negative to say. will have something negative to say.


Always Always under-promoteunder-promote and and over-over-preformpreform..

Poor ServicePoor Service Expected ServiceExpected Service Excellent ServiceExcellent Service

NegativeNegativeword of mouthword of mouth

NoNoword of mouthword of mouth

PositivePositiveword of mouthword of mouth

FoodFood is a great way to create a is a great way to create a warm atmosphere.warm atmosphere.


Hint:Hint:

• Don’t skimp on the food.Don’t skimp on the food.• Make it look good. Don’t Make it look good. Don’t

just throw out an open just throw out an open box! box!


D) SeatedD) SeatedMake sure you have another good Make sure you have another good

“people-person” at the sanctuary door “people-person” at the sanctuary door who will talk to who will talk to everyoneeveryone..

Don’t let guests Don’t let guests wanderwander in and in and try to find a seat on their own.try to find a seat on their own.


Ask good Ask good questionsquestions..

–How are you? How are you?

–Is this your first time here? Is this your first time here?

–Are you with a friend?Are you with a friend?

Have Have strategicstrategic places to seat places to seat

people.people.


Have Have strategicstrategic places to seat places to seat people.people.

Introduce them to another couple as you seat Introduce them to another couple as you seat them so they can make a personal connectionthem so they can make a personal connection..

***If newcomers don’t get ***If newcomers don’t get connected to an average of connected to an average of 77

friends in the church, they will friends in the church, they will be gone within be gone within 66 months. *** months. ***


Keep ushers at the door until Keep ushers at the door until after the after the thirdthird song. song.

Note:Note: This will take a lot of work and a This will take a lot of work and a great deal of intentionality on your great deal of intentionality on your

part! But the return on that investment part! But the return on that investment is huge. You have 7 to 15 minutes to is huge. You have 7 to 15 minutes to help nervous, anxious, and skeptical help nervous, anxious, and skeptical

guests feel comfortable enough to guests feel comfortable enough to engage in the service.engage in the service.


SERVICE SERVICE CONNECTIONCONNECTION


If you ever hope to retain If you ever hope to retain guests you have to find a way guests you have to find a way

to get good to get good informationinformation..

I want more info on ___ Singles Ministry ___ Men’s Small Group ___ Women’s Small Group ___ Counseling Ministry ___ High School Ministry ___ Junior High Ministry ___ Children’s Ministry ___ Praise Team ___ Volunteering ___ Recreation Activities ___ Job Possibilities

My Decision Today is… ___ I am Committing my life to Jesus. ___ I want to be baptized. ___ I am renewing my commitment ___ I want to help out. ___ I want to talk to the Pastor. I want more info on… ___ How to become a Christian. ___ How to join the church. ___ How to start a new ministry. ___ Adult small groups.


Connection CardsConnection Cards Welcome!

Date _______ Name _____________ ________________________________________ Address__________ __________________________________________ New Address ____ City ______________ ________ State ________ Zip _________ Phone ___________ ______ This is my ___ 1St Time ___ 2nd Time ___ 3rd Time ___ I’m a regular attendee ___ Member I am a guest of _______________________________________________ Please Indicate ___ Married ___ Single ___Divorced ___ Widowed Children’s Name Age Birth Date ________________________ ___________ __________ ________________________ ___________ __________ ________________________ ___________ __________

Prayer Requests: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Most cards Most cards require require too too

muchmuch information information

Welcome! (Pre-dated) July 4, 2008

Name _____________ ________________________________________ Email:______________ ________________________________________ Address__________ __________________________________________ City ______________________ State ________ Zip _________ Phone ___________ ______ ___ 1St Time ___ 2nd Time ___ Regular attendee ___ Member Children’s Name Age Birth Date


Connection CardsConnection Cards

How did you hear about us? _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

My next step today… (Make this personal for the day!)

___ Memorize (John 3:16). ___ Read the story of Nicodemus again ___ Accept the pastor’s challenge to start daily devotions ___ Find out more about what it means to be a Christ follower ___ I want to talk to the Pastor about becoming a Christ follower.

I want more info on… ___ How to join the church. ___ What ministries might work for me. ___ How to serve at Next Level Church ___ Adult small groups.

Prayer Requests: __________________ __________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Make the Make the card as card as

simplesimple as as possible.possible.


HINT:HINT:

1. Make the card 1. Make the card relevantrelevant to the service. to the service.

2. Don’t print up 2. Don’t print up massmass cardscards that always that always

look the same.look the same.

3. Change the card to fit the current 3. Change the card to fit the current seriesseries..


How to use the Connection CardHow to use the Connection Card

• K.I.S.S.K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid - Keep It Simple Stupid

• TalkTalk about the card early in the service. about the card early in the service.

• Do notDo not attach it to the bulletin. attach it to the bulletin.

• EveryoneEveryone fills one out. fills one out.

• Give a Give a penpen with each program. with each program.

• AllowAllow time after the message to respond. time after the message to respond.


Give a Give a giftgift to all guests. to all guests.

• Give something Give something menmen can get into. can get into.• Give something that has some Give something that has some eternaleternal value. value. • AskAsk them to pick it up at the table and then them to pick it up at the table and then

trust them. trust them. • Don’tDon’t have someone at the table to greet have someone at the table to greet

them. them. • AllowAllow them the opportunity to leave as them the opportunity to leave as

quietly as they wish.quietly as they wish.• Give a giftGive a gift a man will like. a man will like.


Why focus on men?Why focus on men?““66% of the church world-wide is made up of 66% of the church world-wide is made up of

women.”women.”David Murrow David Murrow Why Men Hate Going To ChurchWhy Men Hate Going To Church. (Nelson 2005). (Nelson 2005)

"A Study in 2000 from Switzerland provides insight on the "A Study in 2000 from Switzerland provides insight on the importance on male attendance on the religious development importance on male attendance on the religious development of children in the country. 'In summary, if a father does not of children in the country. 'In summary, if a father does not

go to church, no matter how regular the mother is in her go to church, no matter how regular the mother is in her religious practice, only one child in fifty becomes a regular religious practice, only one child in fifty becomes a regular church attendee. But if the father attends regularly, then church attendee. But if the father attends regularly, then

regardless of the practice of the mother, at least one child in regardless of the practice of the mother, at least one child in three will become a regular church attendee.”three will become a regular church attendee.”

David Olsen David Olsen The American Church in Crisis.The American Church in Crisis. (Zondervan 2008) (Zondervan 2008)


FOLLOW-UPFOLLOW-UP


A) Post ServiceA) Post Service

1. Put a 1. Put a letterletter from the pastor in each gift. from the pastor in each gift.

****The letter should be short and direct them to a website where they can ****The letter should be short and direct them to a website where they can

fill out a 1fill out a 1stst time guest survey on your website. **** time guest survey on your website. ****

2. Make yourself 2. Make yourself availableavailable for guests to meet. for guests to meet.

****Teach your people not to consume your time after the service. Let them ****Teach your people not to consume your time after the service. Let them

know that they can contact you any time of the week. This day is for the know that they can contact you any time of the week. This day is for the

guest.****guest.****


3. Create an 3. Create an online surveyonline survey for 1 for 1stst time guest to fill out. time guest to fill out.

This serves two functions.This serves two functions.

A) It gives them a chance to explore what your church A) It gives them a chance to explore what your church has to offer. has to offer.

B) For those who didn’t fill out a card but picked up a B) For those who didn’t fill out a card but picked up a gift, you have a second chance to get information.gift, you have a second chance to get information.

Don’t ask them to criticize your service.Don’t ask them to criticize your service.

Online surveys. Online surveys. http://www.mynewwalk.com/survey.ashttp://www.mynewwalk.com/survey.aspp http://www.journeymetro.com/midtown/resources/free_gihttp://www.journeymetro.com/midtown/resources/free_giftft//

http://www.mynewwalk.com/survey.asp

http://www.mynewwalk.com/survey.asp

http://www.journeymetro.com/midtown/resources/free_gift/




4. 36-hour 4. 36-hour email responseemail responseFour primary issues to address:Four primary issues to address:

A) Introduce yourselfA) Introduce yourself

B) Thank them for comingB) Thank them for coming

C) Invite them to come backC) Invite them to come back

D) Give them you web address.D) Give them you web address.

Hint: Email is best sent after lunch on Hint: Email is best sent after lunch on Monday. Monday.

Another avenue to the email is Talk Fusion. Another avenue to the email is Talk Fusion. http://app.talkfusion.com/talkFusionStudio/view.asp?180880_987507


Hint:Hint:

You don’t have to do You don’t have to do this. Put a team together this. Put a team together

to do it. Give them to do it. Give them permission to sign your permission to sign your

name. name.


Handling Second-timersHandling Second-timers• Don’t Don’t assumeassume that just because they that just because they

come back a second time they will come back a second time they will stay. Treat them as 1stay. Treat them as 1stst time guests. time guests.

• Make sure you mention that they Make sure you mention that they check the check the second-timesecond-time visitor box. visitor box.

• Push them to get Push them to get connectedconnected. If they . If they don’t get connected within the first don’t get connected within the first 66 months, they will leave.months, they will leave.


RelationshipsRelationships

• TrainTrain your people to seek out guests. your people to seek out guests.

• Create fun eventsCreate fun events – No hidden – No hidden agendas. agendas.

• Create an Create an atmosphereatmosphere of service of service among your small groupsamong your small groups

• Service – Ministry groupsService – Ministry groups• AffinityAffinity

• Bible StudyBible Study

• Use these groups as care-taking groups.Use these groups as care-taking groups.


ResponsibilityResponsibility• Membership Classes.Membership Classes.

• No more No more one-day membershipone-day membership classes. classes.

• Membership classes should come with Membership classes should come with expectationsexpectations. .

• Use class as a way to Use class as a way to transfertransfer responsibility. responsibility.

• Create Create servingserving opportunities opportunities• Help members to live out their faith Help members to live out their faith practicallypractically..

• Encourage members to serve at least twice a year Encourage members to serve at least twice a year in a in a not-for-profitnot-for-profit organization. organization.

• Publicly Publicly recognizerecognize and and celebratecelebrate servants. servants.

• We become what we We become what we celebratecelebrate. .

Stephen Gray © 2008 Creating A Strong Assimilation System.

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Transcript of Stephen Gray © 2008 Creating A Strong Assimilation System.