“Assimilation”; A Big Word With A Huge Impact

          I want to write today about a subject that kind of gets swept under the rug at times.  The subject is “Assimilation” or connecting people to the local church.  Many churches are not engaged in this process and therefore they tend to suffer because of it.  In the past few years the cry of local church leaders has been for more discipleship.  As if to say that there has not been enough emphasis on it in the past.  I tend to agree; however, does that mean that the commitment to evangelism now has to suffer. Or perhaps the biggest question is “can we separate the two?” I personally believe that you cannot. But what does this have to do with assimilation? EVERYTHING! If there is no one getting connected to the church who will you disciple? What is the use in reaching people if they do not stick?

            I am all for right doctrine and having a passionate heart for evangelism.  But the fact of the matter is if there is no system in place to connect the disconnected they remain disconnected. You can preach faithfully to the text week after week (I hope you are) but still have many people fall through the cracks.  The problem is that there needs to be a balance in the local church between faithfully reaching and teaching and being faithful in caring for those God sends us. There will still be those that are over looked but the percentage will dramatically decrease if assimilation is at the forefront.

            To define assimilation we need to go to the sponge, yes I said “sponge”.  A great illustration of what assimilation means is when you drop a sponge into a bucket of water.  The water becomes apart of the sponge until you ring it out.  The water is assimilated into the sponge.  This is what the local church must improve if it wants a more effective ministry to people.  The bible calls the concept of assimilation “hospitality”. We find a text in Romans 12: 13 “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” NIV.  This verse comes into context as Paul is describing what it means to love one another in the context of the Local church; I call it “One Anothering”.  As Paul turns practical in Romans 12 we find that among the definitions of expressing love he lists hospitality.  Hospitality was a benevolent act in the Biblical world and had varying forms.  It was used for foreign travelers in the event they needed lodging for the night (Job 31). It was also used in tithing food to the hungry (Deut. 24) among many.  Hotels and motels were not the norm so Paul urged the church to practice this gracious gift. There are other texts for hospitality, please do a study for yourself and look them up.

            Hospitality in our modern-day context looks somewhat different. And I guess this is really subjective because every church has their own idea about it.  I want to stretch those ideas for a moment and cause us to think about things we many not be thinking about. I will talk about one area now and will have return posts on other areas of assimilation later. The first area of concern is “First Impressions”.

            In order to get your mind around this concept you must stop thinking like a “Church Goer”.  You must begin to look at your buildings, parking, signage, and overall presentation of your campus as a “FIRST TIME GUEST”.  Let’s break it down;

Parking:

If your parking fills up before your Worship Center than you will never grow past the capacity of what your parking area can handle. Also, you must make handicap and guest parking visible and accessible.  (Notice I used the word “guest”. Never use the word “visitor”. The reason is visitors stop buy but are not ready to be received. Guest on the other hand are expected.  You make arrangements for those you know will stop buy. The purpose of assimilation is to always be ready for the guest). Back to the parking… If you have the man power to pull it off, parking greeters are a great tool in showing people you are ready to serve them as they arrive.  The Parking Greeters simply smile, welcome, and point towards the right direction.  They know where all the programs and the age group ministries are held and they direct others in the right direction.  Also make sure the parking and lawn is trash free. A trashy parking lot says a lot about our commitment.

Buildings:

            You can be the best preacher on the planet but if a guest walks into a dirty bathroom they will not be back.  Make sure the facilities are clean and presentable to others.  Make sure the areas that need paint are painted and the areas that need cleaned are cleaned.  If there is an issue that arises, like an overflowing toilet, it should be addressed immediately. Have a plan in which to address issues and have a “go to” person responsible.

            Seating must be a priority.  Nelson Searcy says that once seating fills to 70% capacity it is time to act.  I f there is room in the Worship Center for additional chairs, add them. If you are out of room then beginning two services is a much more cost effective way of using God’s resources than building a new building.  You might need to build a larger Worship Center (only out of need and never out of pride) but make sure the funds and growth will support it. The last thing you want to do as a pastor is put your church in a substantial debt. If your worship Center can seat at least 300 I would encourage you to put off building until you are running 3 service and have taken advantage of the time to save money towards to new building.

Signage:

            From the road to the pew, people need to know where to go.  The Church sign should be visible and easily read. Also where to park needs to be visible.  All venues should be clear on the signage such as Worship Center, Children, youth… Then once a guest is in the building bathroom, nursery, welcome station, Worship Center signs should be very visible.

Greeters:

            From the parking lot to the pew guest should be face to face with friendly, warm, and welcoming people ready to serve and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Greeters can be used to hand out church information packets and bulletins. Whatever you do put people in these positions that are friendly and helpful and most of all are happy to do so.  This is the first face to face meeting with the guest so you want people with great attitudes and great smiles in these positions.  

These suggestions are not a complete list, but they are helpful reminders that will increase your impact on the first time guest at your church. Tune in next time when I will address lighting, sound, announcements, connection cards, and projection.

Proud Father

I am a proud father. Why? The following:


1. All my children love Christ and follow Him

2. My oldest son uses his musical talents for the Lord and is making great strides with his band “Red Skies at Dawn”. They are playing there biggest show to date this weekend by opening for “Demon Hunter”

3. My Daughter is a very gifted softball player and has gone as far as the ASA World Series in the summer of 2005. She plays for the High School and for summer league rec.

4. My youngest is very creative and is always thinking of things to build or create. He spent a full year doing Karate and is a gifted “thinker”. (he takes after his mother)

The Principles of Faith Hebrews Ch. 11

Summation of CH. 11 “Faith in God works”

In vv.1-3 we find a description of Faith. Faith is not a blind optimism that says “I hope so” Nor is it based on pure intelligence but it is a confident obedience to God’s word no matter how things may seem. The Hebrews writer uses a few words to help us understand; the first is “Sure” “Assurance” or “Substance” depending on translation. The word here in it’s original form simple means “To stand under; to support”. So faith is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house. It is the main support system. You can not have a house without a foundation and you can not have Christianity without faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Faith gives us the confidence to stand and assurance for support.

The second word is “Certain”, “Confidence”, “Conviction”, or “Evidence” depending on translation. This is simply and inward conviction that what God has said, He will do. So faith is knowing what God has said and believing that no matter what is or might be, God’s word is true and nothing can stop it. This faith produces something; a witness.

The third word or concept in verse 2 and in CH. 12:1 is “Witness”. True faith lived out in one persons life provides a witness to the fact that faith in God works. Not that God needs the witness but it is an encouragement to us now as we read the pages of Scripture to trust Him and His word.

Since faith is not built on “I hope so” but on God Himself, We need to understand a few of the Principle that work within faith as we experience it and are challenge by it. I’m sure this is not all the principles however, I am also sure that there are no less then these.

Principle 1: Faith Reasons: Count the cost. vv.3, 6, 17-19
     • When we hear God’s voice we must determine if we are willing to pay the price to follow.

Principle 2: Faith Finds Security: Let God have control. v.23
     • Once we reason out that we have heard God and we are willing to follow, then we must let God have   control of the journey.

Principle 3: Faith Risks: We must obey. v.8
     • This is where most of us have the most trouble. We must obey and get out of the boat of control and comfort and step into God's will.

Principle 4: Faith Experiences Trouble: world, flesh, and the devil. vv. 24-26
     • Faith is not easy; there are three enemies we must deal with in order to press through to what God has called us to. We must fight the good fight of faith.

Principle 5: Faith can see the Prize: Peace that comes from following God vv.9-10
     • Faith not only can see the prize of what God has asked us to do but it also sees the prize in the journey as well. The peace of knowing that God is in the journey of faith may be the most rewarding prize of all.

“Hey, That’s My Church!”

This is a series of studies into the letters to the “Seven Churches” in the Book of Revelation. The series is entitled “Hey, That’s My Church!” because the letters are addressed to churches but the fact is that churches are made up of individuals. So, we can take this series as to say “Hey That’s Me!” First we will look at the Church at Ephesus.

“Active but Hollow” Rev. 2:1-7

In v. 1 Jesus tells where the letter is addressed to and by whom. Jesus tells John that he holds 7 stars (which are the pastors) and He walks among the lamp stands (which are the churches). So in essence Jesus is telling John to write this church and to tell them the letter is from the One that truly knows them and the real issues in their lives that need attention.

In vv. 2-3 Jesus praises them for their activity. They had good deeds; they worked hard, and did not give up when times got hard. They also could not stand wicked men and tested them to see if they were really what they claimed to be. These are qualities I would hope that every church would have.

In v.4 it begins to go down hill. If Jesus told you that He had something against you, would you listen? I think so. So, here is the problem. They had “forsaken their first love.” This does not mean that they left their first love or that their first love had left them. It simply means that they got off track with their priorities. They had put the activities of religion ahead of their love for Christ.

In v.5 it gets better. Jesus not only uncovers the problem but He also gives the solution. There is a three step process in getting their priorities back in order. 1. “Remember the heights from which they have fallen”. This simply means that they needed to remember what their relationship was like when things were in the right order; when they put God first and not religious practice. 2. “Repent”. This simply means to turn away from the things that do not please God and turn towards the things that do. It is a matter of focus. Give attention to Jesus and your walk with Him first. 3. “Do the things you did a first” Do not just turn towards those things but do them. What brought you close to Christ at first will do the same now. In regards to the Ephesian Church read Acts 19. This is the beginning of this church and helps with the context of what Jesus is saying to this specific church.

But for us, the things that bring us close to Christ are simple to state but difficult to do. Things like prayer, reading the Bible, a missional lifestyle, and walking by faith will make your walk with God real and rich.

In v. 7 Jesus gives a warning, “Those that have an ear, let them hear what the Spirit says…” Is God speaking to you? My prayer is that you submit to Him and that your relationship is not “Active and Hollow” but “Full and Faithful” to Christ

Reflection

This May I will be graduating from the undergrad program at New Orleans Theological Seminary and I thought I would post some reflections.
First I could have never accomplished this without my family. Thanks to my wife Tammy and children Kalib, Morgan, and Cory. You four are a blessing and great encouragement to my life. You left everything to follow me and for that I am grateful.

To The Lord's Church for it's support and love through these years of training and learning; you are a great church.

Some lessons I have learned from this journey; 1. It feels great to finish something. This has not always been my best quality. 2. God is faithful. When we left Florida we had no idea of how we would make it but God has made a way. 3. I have learned discipline. If pastoring were easy everyone would be doing it. The fact is, this is a very hard calling but through discipline, focus, and God's leadership, It has been and (I hope will continue to be) a very rewarding experience.

"Trouble in the Hands of the King" Matthew 8:23-27

I had some technical difficulties with the message “The Expectation of the King” Matt 8 18-22. I will try and get it up on-line ASAP.


I hope you are encouraged by “Trouble in the Hands of the King” Matt. 8:23-27. Click HERE to access file.

I will be posting some things later this week that will help you help your pastor.

Achieving Balance

I don’t know about you, but I need balance in my everyday life. It seems as though so much of the day is taken up by a few thing but the reality is that there are things that are not getting the attention they need. Well, I think I have found a way to achieve that balance we are all looking for.

This past weekend Tammy and I were on a retreat in which we experienced some training in leadership. Gary Golden from “Golden Opportunities” www.goldenopportunities.us came and shared with us some valuable insight on balance.

Click HERE for my overview of Gary’s teaching.