Points of Connection: Realizing the Potential for Improving the Church Membership Process

By Joshua A. Stone

Points of Connection: Realizing the Potential for Improving the Church Membership Process

Church member assimilation is key to growth for the Christian and has been particularly difficult for many churches since the recent pandemic. A highly assimilated church is a church where all members are encouraged in tangible ways in their walk with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior by embodying the great apologetic:

...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 NASB 2020)

Using a structured program evaluation, the author sought to gain insight from new church members by interviewing a cross-section of new members who had joined within a two-year period. Participants included a diverse group of church members, including younger adults, single adults, married adults, seasoned believers, and new believers, ensuring that all demographics of the church family were represented. The participants interviewed had ample time to assimilate prior to the interviews. The end goal was to determine why some members might not be assimilating well since joining the church, and to get more members on the path to discipleship and service and connection to the local body of Christ through participatory membership. The responses identified ways that the church can reach more people, increase engagement, and move people along to serving well as fully assimilated members.

In a supported effort to assimilate church members well, this book will showcase a streamlined process of walking new members through the process of assimilation by helping them to connect with other believers, with church leadership, and with areas of service where they may employ their spiritual gifts. This book may serve as a guided resource for pastors, church staff members and leaders in the church as they help new members to find points of connection within the church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891307353

Book preview

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Points of Connection

Realizing the Potential for Improving the Church Membership Process

Joshua A. Stone

ISBN 979-8-89130-734-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-735-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Joshua A. Stone

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Scripture quotations are taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation; Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

ENDORSEMENTS

Information

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Introduction

Significance of this Study

Definition of the Problem

Research Question

Hypothesis and Propositions

Research Design

Definition of Terms

Assimilation

Ecclesiology

Church Member

Koinōnia

Work/Service

Closing the Back Door

Congregation

Preview of Remaining Chapters

Chapter 2

Previous Research and Literature Review

Introduction

Communicate Expectations for Members

Communicate Opportunities for Members

Cohesive Tracking of Members

Conclusions from the Research

Chapter 3

Procedure and Research Method

Introduction

Rationale for the Research Method and Design

Data Sources and Methods for Collection

Research Instrument

Assimilation Process at Community Bible Church

Interview Questions

Hypothesis 1: Communicate Expectations to Members

Hypothesis 2: Communicate Opportunities for Members

Hypothesis 3: Cohesive Tracking of Members

Project Problem Specific

Research Participants

Age Range of Participants

Interview Process

Analytical Procedures

Conclusion

Chapter 4

Results

Introduction

Summary of Results

Hypothesis 1: Communicate Expectations for Members

Statistical Analysis

Communicate Expectations for Members

Hypothesis 1: Expectations

Affirmative Responses by Program

New Member Luncheon Attendance

EPIM (Every Person in Ministry: Ministry Fair)

Discovery Class Attendance

Spiritual Gifts Exam

Ministry Area

Hypothesis 2: Communicate Opportunities for Members

Statistical Analysis

Communicate Opportunities for Members

Hypothesis 2: Opportunities

Affirmative Responses by Program

New Member Luncheon Invite

Resource Guide

Discovery Class Invite

Adult Bible Fellowship Invite

E-mail

Social Media

Hypothesis 3: Cohesive Tracking of Members

Statistical Analysis

Cohesive Tracking of Members

Hypothesis 3: Tracking

Affirmative Responses by Program

Discovery Class/Adult Bible Fellowship Attendance

Ministry Area

E-mail

Deacon

Combined Results

Total Assimilation Data Indicators

The results are significant:

Statistical Analysis

Results by Hypothesis

Combined Results

Conclusion

From this limited data, one might make the following generalizations:

Chapter 5

Conclusions and Implications for Further Study

Introduction

Interpretation of Results and Recommendations

Membership Class

Proposed Assimilation Process for Community Bible Church

Church Management Software

Implications for My Ministry and for the Ministry of Others

Implications for Future Research

Conclusion

Appendix

Appendix A

Community Bible Church's Connect Card

Appendix B

Community Bible Church's EPIM Service Card

Appendix C

Follow-up Questionnaire

Appendix D

Interview Guide

Appendix E

Community Bible Church's Adult Bible Fellowships

Appendix F

Interview Instructions

Appendix G

Informed Consent Form

Appendix H

Sample Membership Covenants

Membership Covenant

Appendix I

Membership Class (Pilot)

What's Next?

Spiritual Giftedness and Areas of Service

Bibliography

About the Author

Realizing the Potential for Improving the Church Membership Process

ENDORSEMENTS

This study of church community clearly exposes and engages key challenges to member assimilation and reveals a way forward—complete with a carefully detailed method and practical action points that can help any pastor or church leader facing today's challenges in fostering authentic community in the local church.

Mikel Del Rosario, PhD

Professor of Bible and Theology

Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois

ApologeticsGuy.com

Dr. Josh Stone was a student in my first missions course at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2011. In this class, I asked who would be willing to take on a difficult and potentially dangerous missions assignment to a Middle Eastern country. Josh was the only one to volunteer. His classmates, being risk-adverse Americans, tried to convince him not to take on this assignment. Josh stuck to his decision. Over the years, he has had to make a number of bold decisions and taking on this research was one of them, for Points of Connection is really a book about keeping the lines of communication open for church growth. How to keep new believers in the pipeline for the church to accomplish its mission is like what Parris Island does for the United States Marine Corps, but it is more important eternally and more risky spiritually. Talking about and even writing about assimilating new believers into the church is a lot easier than actually doing it. This book is a training manual that should be read with a pen and paper in hand and an open heart to learn what can be done to honor the Lord and build His Church. As you read this book, I encourage you to memorize James 4:17, Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Rodney H. Orr, PhD

Professor of Missiology and Intercultural Ministries

Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas

Well-researched and insightful, this book presents a compelling challenge for churches of any size to heed the biblical call to foster a healthy flock.

Ram Krishnamurthy, Pastor

Grace Bible Church

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Information

Church member assimilation is key to growth for the Christian. A highly assimilated church is a church where all members are encouraged in their walk with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior through tangible ways embodying the greatest apologetic. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15–16, NASB 2020). Living and loving each other in authentic community begins by listening and showing forth the love of Christ to each other and serving faithfully alongside fellow believers.

In a supported effort to assimilate church members well, Community Bible Church in Beaufort, South Carolina, has a streamlined process of gathering new members through evangelism and outreach. Baptisms are continuous, and many members are serving and utilizing their gifts. Our desire is to improve in the area of assimilation so that we can help more members get on the path to discipleship and service and be connected to the local body of Christ through participatory membership.

Utilizing a program evaluation, 10 percent of the new households that joined the membership at Community Bible Church between May 2017 and May 2019 participated in in-depth interviews so I could gain insight from these new church members. A review of this process for each interviewee was conducted. The participants interviewed had ample time to assimilate prior to these interviews.

The interviewing instrument was comprised of twenty-five questions, some of which were drawn from a script developed by the pastors of Community Bible Church prior to the inception of this project. For this project, additional questions were added to determine the reasons behind the member's actions. Participants included a diverse group of church members, including younger adults, single adults, married adults, seasoned believers, and new believers, which ensured all demographics of our church family were represented.

The responses have enabled us to reach more people, increase engagement, and move people along to serving well as fully assimilated members. The end goal was to determine why members may not be assimilating since joining the church in membership. The literature review has supported the importance of church membership and the many benefits this brings to the church member's walk with the Lord. Assimilation is key to a successful church as they seek to develop commitment by helping members get involved.

Acknowledgments

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.

—Ephesians 4:4a

My wife, Denise: I love you. Your steadfastness throughout our journey and constant encouragement continues to be a tremendous blessing.

My children, Rebekah and Caleb: I love you and desire for each of you the will of God for your life. Thank you for your unwavering support of our ministry efforts.

My church family: I love you and thank you for your unwavering support of all the ministry efforts you enhance to draw those lost to a saving faith in Christ.

My grandmother, Ida Mains: Your Christian legacy lives on. To God be the glory.

My parents, Barton and Elizabeth: For the substantial financial support to aid in my travels to and from Dallas for over a decade. I appreciate the editing and discussions you have provided with this project. Thank you.

My in-laws, Dr. Ronald Wilcox and Euree Wilcox: Thank you for the example you have set for me and your grandchildren; Pop, for encouraging me to continue with my studies; and Gran, for your prayerful support. I look forward to reuniting with Pop in glory.

Lou Cerrillo, III: For meeting with me regularly, which provided me with a source of uplifting encouragement.

My marriage and family cohort at Dallas Theological Seminary: We have cried together, studied together, fellowshipped together, and encouraged each other throughout our journey. Thank you for helping me through with your prayers and patience.

My advisors, Dr. Jeanne Ballard and Dr. Carl Broggi: I am thankful that the Lord placed you in my path and thankful for your encouragement and wise counsel during this project. Denise and I appreciate the assistance you have provided to us as we partner together in ministry for our Lord and Savior.

My grammarians, editors, analyst, format readers, and graphic designer: Denise Stone, Barton Stone, Jenae Edwards, Lisa Stout, and Steve Guthrie, Jr.: You helped me to produce an excellent resource for our church. Thank you.

The staff family of Community Bible Church: Thank you for helping in the assimilation process as we encourage members of our congregation to grow in the grace of God.

Chapter 1

Introduction

For just