“You are the Light of the World”

Chapter Ten: Assimilating the New Member

By Pastor Stephen Kurtzahn


Definition


Webster’s dictionary defines the word “assimilate” this way: “To take something in and make it a part of oneself; absorb.” When we speak of assimilating the new church member, we are referring to that ongoing process of making the person feel at home in his new church, and making sure he gets the utmost from that church’s ministry.


An excellent Bible example of properly assimilating new members is recorded for us in Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The “they” referred to in this verse are the 3,000 who were converted to Christ on the Day of Pentecost.


How Do We Follow the Example of These Earliest Christians?


“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching...” Note how the inspired Word places training and instruction in the Word of God above all else. The New Testament Books were in the process of being written, and how the new believers must have digested these Sacred Writings as soon as the ink dried on the paper! How attentively they must have listened when given the opportunity to hear an apostle preach!


Even so today we emphasize to every new member the importance of Christian doctrine---a term we use for the teachings of Holy Scripture. We encourage regular church, Sunday school and Bible class attendance, for a new convert (or an “old” Christian as well) cannot grow in his faith if he is not in touch with the Word (Cf. Romans 10:17).


“...And to the fellowship...” This word “fellowship” does not merely refer to covered-dish suppers and ice-cream socials. It signifies the unity and oneness of fellow believers in the one, true faith. This “fellowship” which we have with like-minded believers is given evidence to in many ways---worshipping together, praying and communing together, confessing faith in the same Scriptural truths, loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, etc. We want the new member to realize he belongs---not just to our church, but also to the Holy Christian Church.


“...And to the breaking of bread...” Many Biblical commentators feel this phrase refers to the Lord’s Supper. Not only did the early believers immerse themselves in the Scriptures and rejoice in their unity, but they also partook frequently of the Lord’s Supper. Each communicant, whether young or old, should make use of this Sacrament often. It is one of the Means whereby God offers, gives and seals unto us the forgiveness of sins (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23-32).


“...And to prayer...” Our Savior comes to us in His love and mercy through the Gospel in Word and Sacraments. We come to Him with all of our wants, needs and praises in prayer. The new convert should be encouraged to use prayer, for in doing so he is exercising his privilege as a priest before God. Remember well the words to the popular hymn (TLH, #457):


What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needles pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.


The Ongoing Process


A new convert doesn’t find himself devoted to Christian doctrine, the fellowship, frequent participation at the Lord’s Supper, and fervent prayer overnight. First there is the Instruction Class, where all the basic truths of the Bible are studied and discussed. Sometimes a baptism must be performed. Then there is the formal reception into membership during the Worship Service. All these things will happen if the Lord of the Church blesses our witnessing efforts with VISIBLE fruitfulness. But that is only the beginning! Besides those very important matters which we mentioned above, several other things must be brought to our attention which will help the new person feel right at home in our church.


1.     EACH MEMBER MUST PERSONALLY WELCOME THE NEW PERSON. This is especially true in the small congregation. The newcomer must feel that he is a part of the congregation’s family. That means getting him involved in church functions and activities. That means treating him as an individual, loving him as a fellow believer, helping him when he needs help, etc.


One of the most effective ways we can “quench the Spirit” and drown the fire in a new member is to make him feel left out. A person can feel left out even if he is involved in activities up to his neck! We can help people avoid feeling this way by talking to them, having fun with them, visiting with them, and helping them. In short, be a friend.


2.     BE WILLING TO LISTEN TO AND ACCEPT NEW IDEAS. In many instances new members want to help in some way in the church. Maybe it’s planning for a dinner, or working outside, etc. It is so easy out of politeness to say, “No, that’s alright, you don’t have to do it.” But such a response again kills the fire and enthusiasm in the new member. Another temptation is to correct something a new member has done in the church, or not to listen to his ideas on how something can be done better and more efficiently. How discouraged a person can become when everything he does out of love for his Lord is criticized or corrected because “it was never done that way before!” Let the new person speak up and get involved---isn’t that what we should want?


3.     BE PATIENT WITH THE NEW MEMBER’S SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING. There may be instances when a new member speaks up in a meeting, or in a class, and says something which we know is not quite right Scripturally. How easy it is for us to look down on that person, thinking we might have a heretic in our midst! How easy it would then be to accuse the pastor of not doing his job in the instruction class!


We must remember, however, that men who have been in the ministry for years don’t “know it all.” None of us will “know it all” until we reach heaven. How can we expect the new convert to know everything perfectly about Christian doctrine? When such an individual is willing to learn and listen, let’s be patient, and give God’s Word time to penetrate the heart.


Conclusion


In these past few weeks we have considered the whole evangelism spectrum---from what the Bible says about sharing the Gospel of Christ with others to concrete advice as to how to do so. Reread this program frequently. Refer to it again. May evangelism become a part of your everyday life!


“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith,” Romans 1:16-17.


Things To Do


1) Read and meditate over God's Word, the Bible, daily.


2) Pray for your pastor, congregation and church body.


3) Pray regularly for the unchurched and unbelieving people you know, asking the Savior to instruct their hearts with the Law and the Gospel.


4) Keep your ears constantly open for people crying for spiritual help, and always be ready to give them the Word.


5) Make regular use of your church's literature, giving it to people you know or with whom you have contact.





Note: This study was prepared by Pastor Steven Kurtzahn and was used at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.

If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew