I just finished reading FUSION by Nelson Searcy and I must say it was a true blessing. FUSION is a book about assimilating new people into your church - with a focus on how to move first time guests into working members.

For those who do not know Searcy is a protege of Rick Warren, and many of the concepts from Purpose Driven Church are expressed here. Searcy, however, has had his own experience with church growth in New York City, and he has a plainspoken and simple way of sharing methods and ideas with others. He has a podcast and a website (http://churchleaderinsights.com).He also leads a coaching network and has published several books.

This book helped me because it addresses an area of my life and ministry that is weak - organization. I can't say that there were any surprises in this book. There were no great secrets. There were no ideas that just WOWED me. But taking common sense things that need to be done and putting the flesh and bones of organization to them was very helpful.

Although much of the emphasis is placed on what happens at the church building, there is also considerable input into outreach following the first visit and subsequent visits. Here are a few concepts that I highlighted in the book:

*The concept that our guests are God's gift to us. How did you receive them? Did you show the Giver your appreciation? Did you treat those gifts as they deserved to be treated by having a plan in place to integrate them into the life of your church? First time guests are extraordinary gifts full of unparalleled potential.

*Assimilation is intentional hospitality. While guests are in your company, they need to feel comfortable and valued, no matter where they are in their spiritual development.

*The most powerful word for change in your church is "Because". When they understand the why, the what becomes a non-issue.

*We have been called to plant and water so that God can grow the harvest - and not to plant and water haphazardly, but to the best of our abilities as we are laboring for His Kingdom.

*Growing churches put their energy into reaching new people that God is bringing their way, while stagnating churches focus on reclaiming people who have passed through and fallen away.

*When guests return for a second look, you've won 80% of the battle of gaining new regular attenders and have drastically increased the chances that they will begin a journey with Christ.

This book relates more to what to do when people come to us (rather than us going to them), but I think it still offers valuable organizational information.

John Dobbs

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Thanks for sharing. My own take on Searcy's book is that it is currently the best assimilation book available.

The focus is all on how their system of how to get a first visit to a second visit to a third. The cynic will call it marketing to fill the sales funnel.

The slight downside is the administrative back end that it takes to run their system. Unless a church has the volunteers with the passion to make it happen, this will quickly become another logjam.

You've got to design the system -- they use alot of automated follow-ups.
You've got to acquire the marketing giveaways.
You've got to collect the visitor data, process the visitor data.
You've got to staff the welcome center.

Many churches might already have some of these pieces in place and it's not that hard to tweak it to fit searcy's proven system. Some however, don't know where to start and I think searcy's book might be too overwhelming for them.

I talk with churches around the US and these are some of the concerns/responses I get when people talk to me a Searcy's book. Other's think it's the best stuff out there. I do as well.

For churches that are considering implementing parts of the system -- there is the need to be aware of the human resource / volunteer pool it takes to maintain it.

Here is my review:
http://www.evangelismcoach.org/2008/fusion-visitor-assimilation/
John, I'm sorry that I missed your review here. I was out in Seattle when you wrote it.

Yes, this is a good assimilation book. I encourage people to think in terms of Bible study with visitors as well. In most churches, there are people who visit who never get asked if they are interested in Bible study. I have found that once people actually come to worship, they are often interested in studying with the minister and the friend who brought them (80% attend because of a family member or friend).

I have some tips for inviting visitors to have a Bible study, for whoever is interested.

Thanks for providing a great review for us, John!
Chris, I read your review on this book. Good statistics there for tracking visitors and what is needed to grow.

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