Seven Important Trends in New Member Classes

Churches with membership classes were in the minority just ten years ago. Now, six out of ten churches have a regular new members class. Thom and Jess look at seven of the most current trends. In addition, they provide a contemporary history of new member classes in America.

• • How membership classes moved into the mainstream.
  • Why membership classes were initially resisted in churches (and still are in many churches).
  • Trend #1: Membership becomes meaningful and beneficial.
  • Trend #2: The move from information to expectation to assimilation.
  • Trend #3: The length of the class shortens and then stabilizes.
  • Trend #4: Classes become a permanent feature on church calendars.
  • Trend #5: In established churches, members who joined before the membership class are typically grandfathered.
  • Trend #6: Many membership classes connect the new members to a group immediately.
  • Trend #7: There is a growing trend for new members to become part of the welcome ministry for a season.

Resources:

• Chaney & Associates

• “High Expectations: The Remarkable Secret for Keeping People in Your Church” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• “I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• “I Will: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights

• The Everything Church Resource Directory

• The Hope Initiative

• Church Answers Central Membership

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