understanding the dynamics of caring for new members

8/11/2019 Understanding the Dynamics of Caring for New Members

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Understanding the Dynamicsof Caringfor the New

Members


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Definition of TermsJoining: Becoming a member of the church

family through baptism.Incorporation: Settling into the new family

(church) or environment smoothlyBuddy system: Organized spiritual buddy or friendship.Assimilation: Belonging and bonding into the

new family.Consciousness: Thinking and doing somethingdeliberately.


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The Dynamics of MembershipIncorporation

Membershipand incorporationof the Newbelievers.

At baptism the new members theologically

are now legal members of the church. (1Cor.12:13) However, socially, psychologically, andphysically, not yet.

The church needs to incorporate the newlybaptized members into the church. Therefore the pastors, elders, and leaders

at the local church need to understand thedynamics of incorporation.


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Membership and Incorporation

The purpose ofmembershipis JOININGthechurch through baptism. Thus baptism is theentry point to the church-the body of Christ.

The purpose of incorporationis for SMOOTH

TRANSITION. The first few months andyears are crucial for the survival of the newmembers.

According to medical doctors, the first twoyears of a child life are the most critical. Ifthey can survive the first 2 years they cansurvive the rest easily.

The same is true of marriage and the churchas well.


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Assimilation

Closely related to incorporation is the wordassimilation.

Assimilation is not joining the church, butBELONGING. Belongingis where the new

members feel accepted and athome in thenew environment-the church. Thus the sense of belongingis a good signof

the person being assimilated well into the life

of the new family. Feeling accepted, no longerfeeling as strangers, are sure indicators andsigns of being well assimilated into the life ofthe church.


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Understanding Key Words

The KEY WORDfor membership isJOINING.

The KEY WORDfor incorporation is

SMOOTH TRANSITION. The KEY WORDfor assimilation is

BELONGING andBONDING.

Therefore after baptism some of the keywords that we leaders need to know arejoining, incorporation, and belonging.


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Five Basic Truths AboutIncorporation

The new believers incorporation is not automatic.

The church rather than the new believer isresponsible for his incorporation.

The people who brought the new members to Christhave the responsibility to help them becomebonded to the other people in the church.

The new members incorporation should beginbefore baptism.

The new members incorporation must be highpriority for the church.


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Church Centered Strategiesfor Incorporation

1. Build and incorporation consciousness. Regular agenda in board and officers meetings

People must go out of their way to know new facesand greet and welcome them so they feel at home.

Lunch for visitors (example Pioneer MemorialChurch-Andrews University)

Encourage members and group to be opened tovisitors and new faces and invite them homes forlunch.


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Strategies for Incorporation

2. Develop an incorporation structure Establish a committee on incorporation and

assimilation

Establish a new members class or smallgroup to be responsible for incorporation ofnew members.

Study once-active members but now in-active or drop-out, and find out why -reasons.

Periodical evaluation and review.


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3. Provide Friendship building opportunities Prayer fellowship Study group

Singing group Witnessing group Professional group Cultural group, etc.

The numbers of friends the new members have in thechurch will influence whether he stays or leaves thechurch. The friendship factor is the most importantin the incorporation process.


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4. Structure for need-meeting ministries

The strategies meet the felt needs ofthe new members such as: Personal

Spiritual

Physical

Marital

Relational

Occupational and professional etc


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5. Create new roles and task which willprovide opportunities for service- The new members need to be involved

in the life of the church, so they can feelas part of or bonded to the church.

6. Monitor incorporation results

Systematically observe worship attendance Assess the number involved in ministry in the

church. Observe the giving pattern, etc.


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Characteristics of IncorporatedMembers

Identify with the goal of the church Regularly attend worship services of the church Tries to become part of the church Show evidences of spiritual growth Zealous and protective about the church Involve in the fellowship of the church Support the church with tithes and offerings The number of new friends in the church Support the church with his spiritual gifts The use of the we rather than you Active in bringing others to the church.


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Signs of Incorporation Problems

Are there large numbers of transfers out whokeep the same residency?

Do you have more than 50% of the people yourchurch with no specific role and task?

Is there a large gap between churchmembership and average worship attendance?

Is there a large gap between Sabbath School

members and Sabbath School attendance? Would many of the members feel left out?

Are there large number of visitors who do notcome back?


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Incorporation Problems Cont.

Is there a large percentage of new members not beenexposed to people and ministries in your church priorto joining?

Are there large numbers of new members who do nothave a friends and relative in the church?

Are there members whose attendance and level ofinvolvement suddenly declines?

Are there felt needs among your members which areappropriate for the church to meet, which are not

met?If the answer to many of these questions isyes, youmay have an incorporation problemand shouldconsider waysto go about solving it.

understanding the dynamics of caring for new members

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