Henry G. Brinton, The Welcoming Congregation: Roots and Fruits of Christian Hospitality. Westminster John Knox Press, 2012. Referenced in: Greeting, Church Welcome, New Members Evangelism, Strategies LifeandLeadership.com Summary This volume shares the results of the author’s study of churches that are reputably hospitable, both in the U.S. and abroad: Iona Community in Scotland, Saddleback Church
Mark L. Waltz, How to Wow Your Church Guests: 101 Ways to Make a Meaningful First Impression. Group Publishing, 2011. Prequels: Waltz, First Impressions Waltz, Lasting Impressions Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is the third in a trilogy from Waltz on creating welcoming environments for church guests. It reads best
Mark L. Waltz, Lasting Impressions: From Visiting to Belonging. Group Publishing, 2004. Prequel: Waltz, First Impressions Sequel: Waltz, How to Wow Your Church Guests Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This volume picks up where Waltz’s first one, First Impressions, left off, helping those who visit to take the next steps and
Mark L. Waltz, First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences In Your Church. Group Publishing, 2004. Sequels: Waltz, Lasting Impressions Waltz, How to Wow Your Church Guests Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary The author makes a conscientious effort to preserve the heart of the gospel while applying “customer service” and “customer satisfaction” principles
Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson, Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church. Regal Books, 2008. Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is one of several resources authored by Nelson Searcy, the founding minister of the Journey Church in New York City, and based on their success in
Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin, Finding Them, Keeping Them: Effective Strategies for Evangelism and Assimilation in the Local Church. Broadman and Holman, 1992. Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an older volume, yet it offers a good conceptualization of five simple strategies for finding people (evangelism) and keeping people (assimilation).
Gary L. McIntosh, Beyond the First Visit: The Complete Guide to Connecting Guests to Your Church. Baker Books, 2006. Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary McIntosh presents a thorough, detailed process on how to “guesterize” one’s church, responding warmly to guests and attracting new ones. It is full of real-life examples of
Thom S. Rainer, High Expectations: The Remarkable Secret for Keeping People in Your Church. Broadman and Holman, 1999. Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary Reflective of Rainer’s skill as a researcher, this is based on a study of 287 Southern Baptist churches that compared the practices of higher-assimilation churches with lower-assimilation churches.
Charles Lawless, Membership Matters: Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and Assimilation. Zondervan, 2005. Referenced in: Welcoming and New Member Ministry LifeandLeadership.com Summary Based on extensive research of over fifty effective evangelistic churches, Lawless presents the most comprehensive discussion of best practices relative to new member classes. It is full of sound advice
