The Andrew Plan for Outreach & Assimilation

I. The Andrew Plan

• Attend their pastor's adult confirmation class,
• Bring a FRAN (friend, relative, associate, or neighbor) along with them (just like Andrew brought Peter) and when the FRAN completes the class and joins the congregation,
• Sponsor that individual until he or she becomes assimilated into the life of the congregation.

II. The Advantages of the Andrew Plan

1. It's Simple
   There is nothing complicated about this plan. You could easily explain it to anyone in a matter of minutes. In fact, it was this feature that one of our elders found most attractive. After I presented it to our congregation a few years ago he remarked, "You know, I really like this plan. But what I really like about it the most is that it is so simple."
2. It's Effective
   Calls by pastors, evangelists, canvassing, media advertising, phone surveys, tracts, etc. are all useful in reaching the unchurched, and I would urge congregations to make use of as many of these as they possibly can. But surveys show that between 70% and 90% of people that are brought into the church are brought in through this method. It's what we call "Friendship Evangelism;" people, like Andrew, bringing their FRAN (friends, relatives, associates & neighbors) to meet Jesus.
3. It Requires No Additional Resources
   This plan does not require any additional funding, staffing or facilities. It simply utilizes the pastor's adult confirmation class, which most pastors already offer. For logistical reasons, pastors may want to have more than one class per week to handle the influx of students. Additional classes would also reduce the number of make-up lessons, since students would have more than one opportunity to attend the class.
4. It Involves Everyone
   The Great Commission was given to the Church, that is, to all Christians. Now, to be sure, many Christians probably think this is too difficult for them. But how hard is it simply to decide to repeat the adult confirmation class and bring a friend with you? The results of a recent survey should be a big encouragement to anyone who might think that inviting someone is a really hard thing to do. This survey, conducted among several hundred unchurched people revealed that 96% of them would be at least "somewhat likely to attend church or a Bible class, if invited." And let us not forget the promises our God has given to us who seek his help through prayer. And if our FRAN doesn't come the first time, maybe he will the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or...
5. It Will Bring Joy
   It first and foremost brings GREAT JOY to our FRAN. Indeed, what greater joy is there in life than to know with certainty that, through Jesus your sins are forever gone and that you are going to spend an eternity with your God in heaven? There is no greater joy than that. But there is also much joy to the "Andrew" who brought that person to Jesus. Indeed I count it one of my greatest joys in life to be able to come to church and see those who I had the privilege of bringing to the Pastor's class.
6. It Will Be Spiritually Beneficial
   A good review of the basic teachings of the Bible is always spiritually rewarding. In fact, many pastors- ours included- encourage all confirmed members to repeat the adult confirmation class every five years. And even though I am theologically trained, I feel that I have greatly benefited from repeating this class a number of times.
7. It Accomplishes Assimilation
   Surveys show that if new members are not assimilated into the congregation in a relatively short period of time, there is a high probability that they will not remain active members. This plan calls for the person who brings the new member to the pastor's class to sponsor that person until he/she becomes assimilated into the congregation also. Now surely the congregation can do much to help the new member become assimilated, but a truly concerned sponsor can add greatly to the efforts of the congregation. Some of the things they can do are: introduce the new member to other members of the congregation (especially those with whom they may have something in common), encourage them to come to church and Bible study regularly, invite them to other congregational events, and be available to answer any questions they may have.

CONCLUSION