biblios

Many churches are anxious to discover new and successful methods of bringing visitors to their worship service.  Pastors dream of having a steady flow of new faces attending morning worship, interested in learning more about Jesus and the ministry of their local congregation.  While programs focusing on new styles of evangelism (Outflow, Servant Evangelism, Got Style, Relational Evangelism, etc. ) offer exciting ways of introducing people to Jesus and a local church, few congregations take the time to think intentionally about how to take a first time visitor and move them forward so they will ultimately become a disciple of Jesus connected with a local church family.

Nelsen Searcy, in his book, Fusion, provides an effective method of moving a first time visitor to becoming a second time visitor, to attending church regularly, to making a decision for Jesus and joining a church.  In this short, easy to read book, Searcy unlocks the secrets to what he calls an effective assimilation process for pastors and church congregations.

In his opening chapter Searcy asks an important question, “How do you say ‘thank you’ for a gift received?”  Searcy makes the case that first time visitors are a gift from God.  Also, a first time visitor has given a church family a gift simply by attending church.  He describes the forces at work in our culture that prevent individuals and families from making an initial step to enter the doors of a church they do not know.  Searcy insists a first time visit is a gift that demands both an acknowledgement and a “thank you.”  Acknowledgement does not mean making a visitor stand up in the midst of worship and introduce him or herself to the congregation (Searcy talks about our culture’s fear of public speaking.)  Acknowledging a visitor means recognizing a guest when they arrive and taking care of that guest’s needs throughout their time at the church.  It also means purposeful follow-up care in an effort to say “thank you” for the visit and encourage the visitor to return.  Searcy writes: “Gifts from God are given freely-and strategically – and God expects us to handle what we’ve been given with the same strategic care.  First-time guests are extraordinary gifts full of unparalleled potential.  As God brings them through our front doors, our prayerfully planned reciprocation can result in changed lives for the Kingdom” (pp. 186-189).

Seven minutes.  That’s all.  Searcy shares that a visitor will solidify their first impression of a church and congregation within seven minutes of walking through the door.  As a result Nelsen challenges a church family to consider first impressions as the beginning step of an assimilation process.  Clear church signs, a well-kept facility, warm greeters with welcoming smiles and effective ushers are all essential if there is to be good chance a visitor will decide to return to the church for a second visit.  Capturing contact information is also necessary so that a proper, “thank you for your visit” card can be sent also with an enticement to give the church a second try.  Searcy advocates the use of a contact card to capture information.  Throughout the rest of the book, concrete, easy to implement ideas are offered to help a congregation move a first time visitor to becoming a second time visitor to eventually making a profession of faith and joining the church.

I found the book extremely practical and helpful.  Throughout the book I found myself thanking God for effective methods of assimilation I had unintentionally started in pastoral ministry, as well as asking God to forgive me for areas I overlooked during my tenure at churches I served.  Searcy makes a strong case for the renewal of true Christian hospitality that touches the hearts of strangers with Christ’s love and grips them with Christ’s grace as they become part of the kingdom.  Searcy writes: “The Church – your church – truly is a family expecting guests.  And you should be ready to show them intentional hospitality when they arrive.  While they are in your company, they need to feel comfortable and valued, no matter where they are in their spiritual development” (pp. 292-295).

If your church hopes to grow, this is a “must read.”  Without the teachings found in this book, a church will watch its visitors walking in the front door and out the back door, having never made a commitment to Jesus.