Some more thoughts on the stopping the slippery slide...

Here are some quotes from Nelson Searcy's book regarding Assimilation...

"everything speaks to first-time guests -- EVERYTHING!"

"Creating an environment that makes your first-time guest feel welcomed and respected is key to a successful Assimilation System. When God entrusts you with first-time guests, you face an incredible responsibility. Those newcomers will likely make a decision about their return visit before they make it to their seats..."

"the three F's of Follow-up" It should be Fast, Friendly, and Functional."

"If you want second-timers to stick, ... you must understand that relationships are the glue. So, you must create Three Sticky Situations...1. Small Groups, 2. Fun Events, and 3. Service Teams."

Finally, the three R's of retention are Return, Relationships, and Responsibility.