What does it actually take to help families move from attending to fully engaged?
In this episode, Nick sits down with Greg Curtis and Tommy Carreras to talk about the real challenges churches are facing right now when it comes to assimilation and next steps.
They unpack what’s changed over the last few years, why many church assimilation strategies are no longer working, and what they’re experimenting with right now to better connect people into community and serving.
You’ll hear:
- Why most churches are running outdated inherited programs
- The shift from information to connection and why that matters more than ever
- The pros and cons of 7 week, 4 week, and 1 week next step models
- Why volunteering is often the best first step for engagement
- A brand new approach Greg is testing that could reshape assimilation strategies
If you want to help people take real next steps toward Jesus, not just attend, this conversation will challenge how you think about assimilation.
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Episode Notes
Meet the Guests
Greg Curtis
Director of Assimilation at Eastside Christian Church and founder of Climbing the Assimileas, helping churches build effective engagement pathways.
Tommy Carreras
Works alongside Greg coaching churches on assimilation strategy and helping leaders create clear next steps for guests.
Key Takeaways
- Most churches do not have a real assimilation strategy
Many are running legacy programs they inherited, not designed intentionally for today’s culture. - Information does not drive next steps. Connection does
People do not move forward because they are informed. They move because they feel known. - The one program needs one clear ask
Too many options lead to no action. Simplify the decision. - Volunteering is often the best first step
- Easier than joining a small group
- Happens in a familiar environment
- Builds connection faster
- Mirrors how Jesus discipled His followers
- Timing matters more than you think
There is a window where people are ready to engage. Too early or too late, and you miss it. - The big shift from just in case to just in time
Stop dumping information. Give people what they need when they need it.
What Is Changing Now
Greg shares a new experiment they are about to launch:
- Moving away from a single next steps class
- Replacing it with short, targeted interest meetings around 15 minutes
- Focusing on hot leads instead of cold ones
- Prioritizing relational follow up over programming
The goal is faster connection, more personalization, and higher engagement.
Powerful Quote
“People don’t take next steps because they’re informed well. They take next steps because they feel connected and known.”
Resources Mentioned
- Climbing the Assimilayas training and the Sherpa Tribe community
- The Discipleship Pathway Audit audit
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we have a clear next step or too many options
- Are we prioritizing information or connection
- Are we missing the window when people are ready to engage
- What would it look like to personalize next steps instead of standardizing them
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