Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully Engaged Members of Your Church

In the introduction of “Fusion,” Steve Stroope, senior pastor of Lake Pointe Church, writes that Nelson Searcy is a practitioner, not just a theorist. He also says, “unless God is involved and his Spirit is blowing across our lives, no amount of structure in the church will produce spiritual growth.” So, whether or not you agree with anything else that is contained within this book, it’s hard to be uber critical of Searcy for two reasons: he practices what he preaches and his sole desire is to point people to Jesus. Both of those reasons are evident throughout this book.

As I was reading this book, every time I would find myself doubting Searcy’s methods and even questioning some of his motives, he would continue to point his readers to the fact that his primary desire isn’t to grow his church but to point people to a relationship with Jesus Christ. While it can sometimes feel as if the method used by Searcy’s Journey Church is too calculated and idealistic, everything he shares comes from what they have practiced, all of which has been found effective.

So much of what is shared within “Fusion” has to do with intentionality and purpose. If you don’t have a plan in place to draw and keep visitors, then you shouldn’t be surprised when first time visitors quickly turn into last time visitors as well. Searcy even challenges his readers that it is our responsibility as followers of Christ to show hospitality to everyone that God brings us.

Some people may grow uncomfortable with treating the church like a business, but Searcy says that businesses actually do a better job than churches of showing hospitality. Searcy writes that visitors will decide within the first seven minutes of their visit whether or not they will give your church a second chance.

Everything that is written here is practical and able to be practiced. Intentionality and strategy seem to be the name of the game as Searcy freely shares many resources that are used by his church. There is an appendix including many of the tools and resources that Searcy’s church uses. He points the reader towards a website where they can gain access to additional resources. Searcy seems determined for people to succeed at assimilating people into their churches.

It could be easy for someone in Searcy’s position to come across as arrogant or pompous, but I never got that sense from him in this book. He writes as someone who genuinely wants to share with others the success that he has experienced. I never felt like there was anything other than a humble tone from Searcy in this book, which is what makes it that much more compelling, at least to me. It’s hard not to read this book and feel encouraged, invigorated, and ready to go and tackle the awesome task and responsibility of assimilating visitors into the life and service of your church.

If you and your church have struggled to get visitors to stick and stay or even if you just want to find some additional tested and tried methods of making this happen, “Fusion” is worth your time. I would be very surprised if someone who really wants to implement a system of assimilation into their church didn’t find this book incredibly helpful

(This review is based upon a copy of this book which was provided free of charge from Baker Books. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.)

Fusion: Turing First-Time Guests into Fully Engaged Members of Your Church (Revised and Expanded Edition) by Nelson Searcy gives the practical insight into developing healthy first-time impressions (no matter your church setting) and strategic follow-up systems that are not overly cumbersome. The practical elements of Searcy's book can help a church look for holes in its operations that may be allowing first-time guests to fall through the cracks.

Unfortunately, the revised and expanded edition of the book does not seem to be very much revised or expanded from the original book that I read when it Searcy first released Fusion. Given the passage of time I was hoping for fresh content, insights, follow-up ideas, and/or troubleshooting tips when a church thinks it has Searcy's systems in place yet something still doesn't seem to be clicking on full efficiency. 

Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I was pleased with the condition of this "used" book. Seems to have barely been opened. I am reading it because we are trying to increase membership in our church. Specifically, we need methods to encourage first time visitors to come back.
So far, I am finding good thoughts and ideas. It was definitely worth purchasing this book.

We used it to train leaders for how to welcome first time visitors to our church.

This is a very thorough and well-thought out plan to help churches better respond to first-time attenders and assimilate them into their congregations.

Fantastic book! Implemented many of the aspects and have found great success. Really like Seacy’s writing, and his spirit led leadership.