Last Thursday, I led The Fusion Webinar and have received a great deal of positive feedback and questions – I wanted to address one more of these questions today.

Any time I start outlining the Assimilation process that I teach and use at The Journey (including weekly Connection Cards, pens on every bulletin, handwritten notes for newcomers, etc.), inevitably I’m asked…

How am I supposed to afford all this for our First Time Guests?

Well, I’m glad you asked.  I have a few answers:

First of all, remember that your Assimilation System is nothing more than biblical hospitality (that’s one reason why this system works in so many contexts, church sizes and styles).

Second, why not spend a little money to keep newcomers around long enough to experience serious life change.  I mean, we all agree that spending money on evangelism is OK – why wouldn’t you spend a little more to help those people plug in and grow spiritually.

Finally, money spent on Assimilation is not an expense, it’s an investment.

Assimilation spending is an investment in:

• Taking care of the men and women that God prompted to attend your church
• The future health of your church (by helping others move toward membership)
• The spiritual growth of the people and families you’re reaching
• Eternity!

So in short, you may be asking the wrong question.  The right question is…

How can I afford NOT to invest in the people God is sending our way each week?

P.S. For all the details of implementing, evaluating and improving your church’s Assimilation System, check out The Assimilation Intensive Workshop.

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.