This is a long chapter, so I'll do it in two sections. I think it deserves to be tackled thoroughly, as this is an area where Sanctuary has historically been weak.
Gathering a crowd is difficult, but compared to the task of turning the crowd into a congregation, it's positively simple. Warren describes it aptly in these terms: "The community talks about 'that church', the crowd talks about 'this church', but the congregation talks about 'our church'." We're talking about developing a sense of ownership and contribution.
"Floating Christians" just believe. This is about belonging to a particular church. Being in relationship with other Christians is important to our growth.
Being a member of a church is less about administrative things - name on a role, membership fees, rituals - and more about becoming a vital organ of a living body. People who become Christians at a church do NOT automatically follow through and join the church (and boy do I ever know that!). The church must take the initiative in assimilating new people. When God wants to deliver baby Christians, He looks for the warmest incubator He can find!
Develop a plan to assimilate new members.
Warren lists 12 questions that will determine the best assimilation plan (and remember these are unique to each Church).
1) What does God expect from members of His church?
2) What do we expect from our members right now?
3) What kind of people already make up our congregation?
4) How will that change in the next five to ten years?
5) What do our members value?
6) What are new members' greatest needs?
7) What are our long-term members' greatest needs?
8) How can we make membership more meaningful?
9) How can we ensure that members feel loved and cared for?
10) What do we owe our members?
11) What resources or services could we offer our members?
12) How could we add value to what we already offer?
Prospective members also have questions:
Do I fit here? - acceptance
Does anybody want to know me? - friendship
Am I needed? - value
What is the advantage of joining? - benefit
What is required of members? - expectations
Communicate the value of membership
Church membership has changed from conformity to commitment. People join churches when they can see a "value-for-value benefits they receive in return for their commitment".
This is where a personalised purpose is important. You need to emphasize the fact that the church provides them with benefits they cannot find anywhere else in the world.
The church should be positioned as a family rather than an institution. "Organised religion" is a dirty word; yet people want to be more spiritual. Also there is a current longing for belonging.
Establish a required membership class
This class sets the tone and expectation level for everything to follow. The best time to elicit a strong commitment from membersis the moment they join. If little is required to jon, little can be expected of them later on. This should be a STRONG class, which doesn't mean a LONG class (Saddleback's is 4 hours long and taught in a single day). It should be taught by senior leadership. It should cover:
* What is a church?
* What are the purposes of a church?
* What are the benefits of being a member?
* What are the requirements for membership?
* What are the responsibilities of membership?
* What is the vision and strategy of this church?
* How is the church organised?
* How can I get involved in ministry?
* What do I do now that I'm a member?
This should also include a clear explanation of salvation. People will want to join who are not believers!
Use varied teaching methods. Completion of the class should be a requirement of membership. Also think of different age groups.
(Continued tomorrow night!)
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