Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
A campaign's true test comes after the meetings end. New converts do not automatically integrate into church life; without a deliberate plan, many will drift back to their previous lifestyle or be absorbed by other groups. The Handbook therefore calls for a New Members Committee responsible for follow-up meetings, ongoing Bible classes covering both doctrinal understanding and Adventist lifestyle, and personal nurture—ensuring each new member has a Bible, a Sabbath School study guide, and training in devotions and family worship. Sobering statistics warn that members need at least six new friends within six months, and involvement in at least one church activity within three months, or they are likely to drop out; three consecutive absent Sabbaths without contact is a serious warning sign. Integration means pairing new members with experienced workers, involving them in ministry, and helping them identify their own oikos so the cycle of witness continues. The Go One Million initiative extends this vision denomination-wide: recruiting, mobilizing, training, deploying, and tracking a million lay members in active outreach through a defined communication system linking conference, district, and local church. Keeping evangelism 'going and growing' therefore depends on treating follow-up, discipleship, and continual involvement as inseparable from the campaign itself, not as an afterthought.
Key points
- New converts do not automatically integrate; the church must have a deliberate follow-up plan through a New Members Committee.
- New members need at least six new friends within six months and involvement in a church activity within three months, or they are likely to drop out.
- Nurture includes providing a Bible and Bible study guide, training in devotions, and pairing new members with experienced workers.
- Go One Million is a denomination-wide initiative to recruit, train, deploy, and track a million lay members in active outreach.
Key texts
- Matthew 28:19-20
- Acts 2:42-47
- 1 Corinthians 3:6
From the book
Session 12 · Personal Ministries Handbook pp. 68–75; Personal Ministries Leader booklet · Read the handbook
- “It is often assumed that a new convert will automatically fit into the church and become involved in church life. This is not true. The church must have a deliberate plan for caring for new members or they will very likely stop attending.” (book p. 69)
- “New members need to make at least six new friends within six months of joining the church or they will probably drop out.” (book p. 69)
- “If a member is absent for three Sabbaths in a row, something is wrong. If they are not contacted immediately, they will probably drop out.” (book p. 69)
Put it into practice
- Form or strengthen a New Members Committee responsible specifically for follow-up and integration.
- Ensure every new believer receives a Bible, a Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, and training in personal and family devotions.
- Pair each new member with an experienced worker and help them identify their own oikos within their first months.
- Set up a simple tracking system so that any member absent three Sabbaths in a row is contacted immediately.
- Comprehension
1. Why does the Handbook insist that follow-up cannot be left to chance after a campaign?
- Comprehension
2. What two benchmarks does the Handbook give regarding friendship and involvement that predict whether a new member stays?
- Scripture
3. What warning sign should trigger immediate contact with a member?
- Doctrinal Clarity
4. What two categories of training does the Handbook say new converts need?
- Contrast
5. Contrast the goal of nurture with the goal of mere doctrinal instruction for new members.
- Doctrinal Clarity
6. What is the Go One Million initiative, as described in the Handbook?
- Comprehension
7. Why should new members be helped to identify their own oikos soon after joining?
- Application
8. Which new member or recent convert in your church could benefit from a spiritual guardian or mentor this month?