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.
First 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.
Mary 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.
Scott shared the “guide vs. map” concept and the importance of personal presence with Georgia Baptist Discipleship Podcast listeners and church leaders to encourage relational assimilation strategies.
Next Steps
- Encourage church leaders to involve key lay leaders and staff in vision casting and training for assimilation, ensuring broader buy-in and support for implementation.
- Avoid over-promising on the specifics and timeline of new assimilation processes. Manage expectations as the pathway and systems are developed.
- Intentionally incorporate one-on-one conversations and personal coaching into the assimilation process. Move beyond digital or printed resources to build authentic relationships with new members.
- Regularly remind church members of the “why” behind routines and involvement, helping them connect their passions and spiritual gifts to meaningful roles within the church.
- Use tools such as PLACE Ministries assessments to facilitate personal discovery and coaching. Ensure follow-up conversations occur rather than allowing assessments to sit unused.
Church Activity and Engagement Strategies
Scott and Jay discussed the importance of helping people develop healthy rhythms in church activities while avoiding routines that become ruts. Jay emphasized the need to place people in appropriate roles where they can use their spiritual gifts and passions. Otherwise, they may feel unfulfilled and disconnected. Mary added that churches should focus on connecting people’s hearts as well as their hands through interpersonal relationships, since a lack of meaningful connections can lead to long-term disengagement.
Church New Member Assimilation Strategies
Scott and Jay discussed challenges churches face in providing clear next steps for new believers. Jay emphasized the difference between giving people a “map,” or information they can find themselves, and a “guide,” or personal support and guidance from the church community. Scott shared his experience of improving new member assimilation from 26% to 86% by implementing an intentional process called the “ERUPT strategy.” The conversation ended with Scott asking Mary about common mistakes churches make in assimilating new members.
Personal Church Connection Strategies
Jay discussed how churches often focus on placing people in available positions rather than getting to know individuals personally. This can lead to short-term connection but long-term disengagement. He emphasized intentional one-on-one conversations to understand people’s stories and connect them based on their unique needs rather than simply filling open slots.
Jay and Mary highlighted that younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, crave authentic community and real relationships over traditional church structures. They recommended creating clear pathways that are consistently communicated, finding a champion to lead the initiative and involving multiple key leaders in the vision rather than relying solely on the pastor.