Launching An Assimilation Process at Ballardsville Baptist Church, Crestwood, Kentucky

Abstract

ABSTRACT, LAUNCHING AN ASSIMILATION PROCESS AT

BALLARDSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH,

CRESTWOOD, KENTUCKY

Tony Ray Wolfenbarger, Jr., D.Min.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Joseph C. Harrod

The purpose of this project was to launch an assimilation process at Ballardsville Baptist Church. Chapter 1 outlines the church’s cultural context, and states the goals, rationale, definitions, and limitations of the project.

Chapter 2 considers the biblical warrant for assimilation and church membership.

Chapter 3 examines the ideas of contemporary Christian authors pertaining to assimilation and church membership classes. This chapter explores the benefits of assimilation classes and the most common topics churches include in their membership classes.

Chapter 4 details the steps Ballardsville Baptist Church took to implement the assimilation process, including challenges and surprises encountered along the way. These steps include leadership education, pre- and post-project surveys, and teaching the assimilation curriculum.

Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the project by measuring the attainment of project goals and by examining the project’s strengths and weaknesses. The project concludes with theological and personal reflections. This project maintains that a quality assimilation process will initiate the building of healthy Christians and subsequently healthy churches.