Assimilate!

In our Inventory process to help churches discover—or rediscover—who they are and their mission, and then chart their future, one of the things we ask a team to do is assess their score on the nine basic systems every church has.  

 

This is everything from their system of discipleship to governance to leadership development and so on. We remind them that everything in the universe has a system for operation: from us humans with our eleven different interdependent organ systems—to the solar system we circle the sun in.

Systems make things operate according to the function they were designed for.

Last week, I was taking a church leadership team through their assessments when someone asked, “What actually is ‘Assimilation’?”

(Side note: For you Trekkies, it’s an immediate negative reaction. “We are the Borg. Resistance is futile. Assimilate.” Okay, I’ll grant you this: the New Testament does say that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” But this assimilation is into the boundless, creative, grace-filled, flourishing love of God—not to suck out your identity and neurons into the Borg. Now back to our regularly scheduled program…)

Simply put, assimilation is the process by which a new person is integrated into the Body of Christ and, in a micro-practical way, into the life of the physical expression of the Body: the local church.

This is where many churches fail.

Imagine someone walking into a church for the first time—ever—and how unnerving that is. They have to quickly navigate the culture, the language, the vibe. That’s a lot to process.

To help that person explore the reality of Jesus—his authority, power, message, and lordship—is a huge endeavor. And then to help them find a place in the community of faith where their gifts, energy, and unique personality bring life to both them and the community requires thoughtfulness and intentionality.

Churches often fail in two simple ways:

1. Not intentionally developing a warm, inviting, and inclusive culture;

2. Not communicating clear next steps for each phase of a person’s discipleship journey.

The first one is a matter of clarifying and expressing your values in harmony with modeling that reinforces the servant-heart of Jesus. The second is achieved by imparting spiritual truths and creating opportunities that mentor and challenge the new disciple.

As a matter of fact, every phase of this journey should answer this question: What is your next step?

And there is always a next step.

I’ve written an overview here on our system when I was pastoring, and a more general article about the nine church systems here.

We must thoroughly think through what our assimilation system is. If we don’t offer clear next steps on how to connect with the faith community meaningfully while growing closer to Jesus, we’re failing monumentally.

How would you fill in the squares below as you take a new person into being fully integrated and thriving in your church? It’s not important if it’s four steps or three or six. But can you identify them easily...and are those steps clearly communicated?

Dave Workman | The Elemental Group

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The Elemental Churches Inventory is a revolutionary web-based assessment system that combines individual and team learning through online tools and videos with coaching. It not only gives your leadership team a snapshot of where you are, but provides a comprehensive report with recommended action steps to move your church forward! Check it out here.