The Principle of Community The Power of Enrollment Bob Mayfield Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma

The Principle of Community Human beings have a built-in desire to belong someplace where they will be loved and accepted as they are

Community Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs People have a need to “belong” Community = belonging

Enrollment Enrollment is the action a group takes to initiate an offer to someone to “belong” Belonging is the principle; enrollment is the activity.

Community of Evangelism What would a “community of evangelism” look like? What would your class need to do in order to become a “community of evangelism”?

How Important is Enrollment? According to a survey of Oklahoma’s 100 fastest growing churches, enrollment is the thermostat for attendance and evangelism.

Enrollment – Key to Evangelistic Communities Oklahoma’s 100 fastest growing churches, : Enrollment+48% Attendance+44% Baptisms+59%

Enrollment – Key to Evangelistic Communities Oklahoma’s 100 fastest declining churches, : Enrollment-32% Attendance-25% Baptisms-34%

Rainer Scale of Receptivity Survey of unchurched Americans Out of approximately 280 million Americans 160 million are unchurched (60%)

Rainer Scale of Receptivity U5 – Resistant & antagonistic to the gospel U4 – Resistant U3 – Neutral (not receptive or resistant) U2 – Receptive U1 – Highly receptive to the gospel

Rainer Scale of Receptivity Per cent of Americans in the 5 response categories U5 – 5% (antagonistic) U4 – 21% (resistant) U3 – 36% (neutral) U2 – 27% (receptive) U1 – 11% (highly receptive) 38% of unchurched America is receptive to the gospel! *PowerUP churches reported a 5% increase in baptisms – in only 7 weeks.

Rainer Scale of Receptivity A common response from a U1 after hearing a gospel presentation: “Why hasn’t someone told me this before”

Further findings from the Rainer Scale Most of unchurched would prefer to attend on Sunday morning 82% of unchurched were at least “somewhat likely” to attend church if invited Less than 20% of unchurched have EVER been invited to church (80% never invited to church) 52% of unchurched feel guilty about not attending

Observations Enrollment helps the class become a “community of evangelism”. Common sense says that if the church has more lost people enrolled in Sunday School, it has a greater opportunity for evangelism.

Evangelism Potential SS Enrollment / Resident Members = % Example: 130 (enr) / 100 (RM) = 130% Healthy Sunday Schools have more people enrolled in SS than they have resident church members

Evangelism Potential (Enrollment/Resident Membership) Less than 90%Poor 90%Weak 100%Fair 110%Average 120%Good 130%Very Good 140%Excellent 150%Outstanding 160%Superior

Average Oklahoma Evangelism Potential 68% 68% of Oklahoma Baptists are enrolled in Sunday School

Essentials for Growing Enrollment Stop purging! How many Southern Baptists does it take to have a net enrollment gain of ONE person in one year? 400

Essentials for Growing Enrollment Stop purging! Ongoing class ministry to current enrollment New groups New groups reach new people faster

Essentials for Growing Enrollment Stop purging! Ongoing class ministry to current enrollment New groups Smaller groups – larger groups encourage a bystander attitude. Smaller groups encourage participation, community, and intimacy Ask! Ask unchurched people to enroll in your group