{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"GA Baptist Discipleship","title":"Episode 141: Keys to Effectively Connect New Members with Jay & Mary McSwain","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2916,"description":"This podcast episode featured Jay McSwain and his daughter Mary discussing church assimilation and connection strategies with host Scott Sullivan. Jay, who is president and CEO of PLACE Ministries, Atlanta Braves chaplain and discipleship pastor at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Georgia, shared insights from 29 years of experience working with 15,000 churches. He highlighted that one of the biggest barriers to assimilation is programming for “very nice people” who enjoy church activities but do not actively participate or give back. He emphasized the importance of helping people find their right place in the church through personal connections rather than simply placing them in available positions. Mary, who works with PLACE Ministries, hosts the My Place podcast and oversees assimilation processes at North Hall Church, discussed how churches often fail to provide clear next steps for new members and the need for intentional relationship building. The conversation covered generational differences, with younger people craving authentic community and real connections over traditional programming. It also emphasized the importance of providing a “guide, not just a map” for new members. Jay stressed the critical role of the “ministry of presence” and one-on-one conversations to truly connect with people. Mary highlighted the need to find champions for assimilation efforts and avoid over-promising to maintain realistic expectations.\nFirst Redeemer Church has developed and clearly communicates a simple, repeatable pathway for new member assimilation, ensuring it is personal and relational rather than solely programmatic.\nMary pointed out that North Hall Church focuses on identifying and empowering a champion, either a staff or lay leader, who is passionate about assimilation and connecting new members. That person is entrusted to lead and coordinate the process.\nScott shared the “guide vs. map” concept and the importance of personal presence with Georgia Baptist...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/zNKX3icnJ47p9LBPU6AxotTfzrzOS3CL0lQn3dy79Aw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzEyOTY2LzE2Njgx/MDIxODMtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}