Are Baptist Chruches really wanting new members?

farout · Nov 29, 2015

Most Baptist Churches want new members, at least we say so. But do we assimilate new people and allow them to feel a part of the church? I believe this is a serious issue for many Baptist Churches, in showing new members that they are really a valued and wanted. This is a real issue even for members that have been going to our church for a long time. No member should be taken for granted.

Here are some facts. If a member misses two times we need to make contact and see how they are. If someone does reach out after missing three consecutive weeks that member is generally gone. After four missed weeks it is very unlikely that person will return.

These facts are taught to people in most seminaries, and therefore pastors with dwindling church memberships who don't visit or have visitation programs have to assume much of the responsibility. But what is the responsibility of the Elders, Deacons, and membership in general?

People go to church for a lot of reasons, and wanting to know they are welcome is very important. Some churches are overflowing with friendliness. Some churches are family churches and visitors are tolerated, but the odds of being assimilated are slim to none. But many churches are somewhere in between, it's going to take effort to prove you really want to be apart of that church.

Here is my questions. What experiences have you had in joining a church. What does your church do to welcome people, and assimilate people? What does your church do for a visitation program? What does your church do to keep members from falling off the membership rolls?

Goodbook · Nov 29, 2015

good question.
Well. I don't officially 'join' churches. I think people make that official when they are like in an ordained role that they are going to stay in that church for a long time and then they make some kind of pledge. Because do people move around etc. This is what my church has done.

My experience has been with the small groups which have welcomed me and been supportive. and then Sunday services people just welcome me or sit near me, we have ushers, although, since none of my family goes I often sit alone.
As for vistiations I think the pastor does go to the rest homes and there's a prayer chain. You can also ring the elders if you have an issue or want someone to pray with.

I have received a letter just saying they are praying for me. I know my church is a praying church and we use the fellowship book as our list of people to pray for. People haven't minded if I haven't been attending for whatever reason, usually because of work or relocation or even trying out different churches. They know God's presence is amongst the congregation and it's His spirit leading, many people leave but they always seem to come back.

oh we also have a person who's role is 'inclusion' and what they do (husband and wife team) is welcome people and offer food and hospitality.

Goodbook · Nov 29, 2015

Opportunites to be involved also like ministries that welcome volunteers are good ways to include people as you working together. I know I become closer to my church family when we do things together like share meals, or invite each other over outside of church times.

MrJim · Nov 29, 2015

I quit showing up at the local SBC in August of last year after several years of attending...think even one individual contacted me wanting to know why I quit showing up? Not even one...I was warned it was a cliquish congregation...

farout · Nov 29, 2015

MrJim said:
I quit showing up at the local SBC in August of last year after several years of attending...think even one individual contacted me wanting to know why I quit showing up? Not even one...I was warned it was a cliquish congregation...

That's exactly where we are now. We have been absent for four weeks and not a single person has called. I have felt for a long time that we are just not anything but occupying a seat. Except for being on the prayer list in the church, I don't think we are very much welcome. That really hurts after being there three years. I do know where we are going to visit next week.

Goodbook · Nov 29, 2015

I kinda think a bit differently as I know some churches go overboard and really push you to join and be there every single week.
Also if you not involved in a kind of ministry or make the effort to contact people yourself, people might just think you passing through. But it depends on your walk with God and where you personally at.

Yes, some churches are cliquish but I make allowances for the elderly in the congregation who have been there for years and often its not every single person will know you. Depending on how big the church is too, smaller churches are more inclusive. That's why small groups can be good.

Also..it could be your phone number in the church directory is wrong! That's happened before.

royal priest · Nov 29, 2015

Size of the church is a consideration. It's easier to be missed in a larger congregation. New visitors should connect with the Pastor so he can plug them in as he sees appropriate. Our church encourages regular visitors (non-members) to either join our membership or find another church to join. Through our church constitution, members agree to attend all stated meetings unless providentially hindered. This is according to the exhortation of Hebrews 10:25. If one of our members misses one meeting, we inquire. If a member habitually misses meetings without excuse they will be confronted according to Matthew 18:15-18.

The Lord's Day consists of the Bible Study Hour, followed by the A.M. Worship. Then we have lunch together in the dining hall, followed by the P.M. Worship.

nonaeroterraqueous · Nov 29, 2015

MrJim said:
...think even one individual contacted me wanting to know why I quit showing up?

I've attended churches of three entirely different denominations, and not one of them ever contacted me when I stopped attending. I didn't realize there were churches that noticed when their members were absent. I'm pretty sure I'd rather not be noticed.

98cwitr · Nov 29, 2015

I think a lot of us do. We make it a very intentional act to greet all new faces and try our best to be open and welcoming.

MrJim · Nov 30, 2015

nonaeroterraqueous said:
I've attended churches of three entirely different denominations, and not one of them ever contacted me when I stopped attending. I didn't realize there were churches that noticed when their members were absent. I'm pretty sure I'd rather not be noticed.

What's particularly strange is my wife and boys still attend there every Sunday and many Wednesday evenings....wouldn't be much of a stretch to make a phone call. What I found is that when I challenged some SBC doctrine SS class the two elders there (one is a teacher and the other is the back-up teacher) couldn't even begin to have a conversation on a different POV (particularly "Eternal Security" but also issues about Communion and Eschatology) so they were probably glad I wandered off...still, you'd think they'd make an effort....and these guys really are elders...in their mid/late 60's...then also I work with a fellow that was recently made an elder in same congregation~he's probably (ok I asked my wife since I tend to guess people younger than they are) mid 30s...pass him regularly in the hallways and work stations and he never asks anything about why I don't show up...

...so I can take a hint

..and that's really OK I guess...maybe those elders know I wouldn't ever fit in...probably figure I'm "lost" since they haven't charged my wife and boys to "follow" after me...

Hammster · Nov 30, 2015

MrJim said:
I quit showing up at the local SBC in August of last year after several years of attending...think even one individual contacted me wanting to know why I quit showing up? Not even one...I was warned it was a cliquish congregation...

farout said:
That's exactly where we are now. We have been absent for four weeks and not a single person has called. I have felt for a long time that we are just not anything but occupying a seat. Except for being on the prayer list in the church, I don't think we are very much welcome. That really hurts after being there three years. I do know where we are going to visit next week.

When you were attending regularly, how many members did you contact who had missed a couple of weeks?

Hammster · Nov 30, 2015

farout said:
Most Baptist Churches want new members, at least we say so. But do we assimilate new people and allow them to feel a part of the church? I believe this is a serious issue for many Baptist Churches, in showing new members that they are really a valued and wanted. This is a real issue even for members that have been going to our church for a long time. No member should be taken for granted.

Here are some facts. If a member misses two times we need to make contact and see how they are. If someone does reach out after missing three consecutive weeks that member is generally gone. After four missed weeks it is very unlikely that person will return.

These facts are taught to people in most seminaries, and therefore pastors with dwindling church memberships who don't visit or have visitation programs have to assume much of the responsibility. But what is the responsibility of the Elders, Deacons, and membership in general?

People go to church for a lot of reasons, and wanting to know they are welcome is very important. Some churches are overflowing with friendliness. Some churches are family churches and visitors are tolerated, but the odds of being assimilated are slim to none. But many churches are somewhere in between, it's going to take effort to prove you really want to be apart of that church.

Here is my questions. What experiences have you had in joining a church. What does your church do to welcome people, and assimilate people? What does your church do for a visitation program? What does your church do to keep members from falling off the membership rolls?

We preach the gospel every week. Things seem to take care of themselves.

MrJim · Dec 1, 2015

Hammster said:
When you were attending regularly, how many members did you contact who had missed a couple of weeks?

I haven't missed "a couple weeks"...other than two visits it's been 14 months...

Hammster · Dec 1, 2015

That didn't answer the question. How many people did you seek out when they stopped coming?

Pedrito · Dec 2, 2015

I understand that the focus of the thread is on organisation building, the preservation of membership rolls, and the associated concepts of chasing people, confronting people, respecting their privacy, and not caring.

I found it interesting that so far the concept of spiritual welfare apparently found no niche for direct mention in this discussion.

The presence of prayer chains could be said to contribute to that. But only if the non-attendees are actually on such a chain list. And what is the point of their being on the list if no-one is contacting them? And how long will they remain on the list?

And what prayers are actually offered for them if they are on a list:

That they will return?
That they will find a better congregation or church than ours?
That their faith will grow as a result of no longer meeting with us?
Something else?

Could it depend on motives?

Goodbook · Dec 2, 2015

I think pastors do there best to encourage members attend..all the pastors ive known make an effort to contact people, but they can delegate people obviously to help. Elders sometimes ring people and see how they are.

In the church newsletter theres always contacts you can call, you can put your details in the suggestion box if you want to talk with the pastor or him to visit you.

I think its really where the spirit leads and blows and you cant force people to attend or assume they wont be coming back. Sometimes its a case of, they went out from us, because they were not of us.

The Lord adds to his church and i just think we do our best to welcome and look after those he sends us. We cant assume people are lost if they decide not to go to our congregation every single week. We just have to trust that God is guiding them anyway, wherever they are.

Goodbook · Dec 2, 2015

Also it could be transport is a problem. If people are having difficulty attending it may be they cant drive or on their own, so maybe you can look at having a church van or something. Or go out to people where they are.

I mean Jesus said he would leave the 99 sheep and go after that one sheep who went astray and bring it back.

98cwitr · Dec 3, 2015

Goodbook said:
Also it could be transport is a problem. If people are having difficulty attending it may be they cant drive or on their own, so maybe you can look at having a church van or something. Or go out to people where they are.

I mean Jesus said he would leave the 99 sheep and go after that one sheep who went astray and bring it back.

We offer to go pick people up if they have transportation problems, just being aware of that problem though is simply made aware through casual conversation.

MrJim · Dec 3, 2015

Hammster said:
That didn't answer the question. How many people did you seek out when they stopped coming?

I wasn't a member there...neither did I intend to recruit or remind people to become SBC....what's your point?

Hammster · Dec 3, 2015

MrJim said:
I wasn't a member there...neither did I intend to recruit or remind people to become SBC....what's your point?

Your complaint was that nobody contacted you when you stopped showing up. But I don't see where you contacted anyone that might have stopped coming. It appears to be a double standard.

Are Baptist Chruches really wanting new members?

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