1. Key systems require leadership by key leaders. A list of key ministry leaders:
- Pastor (possibly with a Secretary/Administrator)
- Worship Leader
- Pre-school/Children's Minister
- Assimilation Coordinator
- Outreach Networker
- Spiritual Gifts Mobilizer
2. Key systems that need to be lay led:
- Outreach
- Assimilation
- Children's Ministry
3. Other necessary systems
- Finances
- Facility
- Oversight (eventually)
4. Aspects of an OUTREACH system:
- Strategy: the ultimate goal of outreach is evangelism. Who is devising the strategy? What is the overall strategy?
- Events: What are our potential points of connection with the community around us? How do we maximize on Easter, Christmas, Summer, Mother's Day, Fall, Town/City events?
- Prioritization: What are we doing next? How are we going to use our resources?
5. Aspects of an ASSIMILATION system/process:
- The purpose of the assimilation system is to define the next steps in the discipleship/assimilation process.
- Think of the process being a funnel that leads to a reproducing disciple. What is the big end of the funnel?
- For many congregations the big end will be our worship gatherings. So, the first people to be encountered by newcomers will be the ushers/greeters. And their first experience of our congregation will be hospitality (even before worship).
- The next experience will be our worship itself. During which we will ask them for their contact information in some way. By giving us this information visitors are giving us permission to contact them. This requires follow up. Suggested pattern: follow up call by a lay person on Sunday afternoon; follow up letter on Monday; follow up call by pastor on Thursday; possible call from a small group leader.
