I’m sure if this will be much help, but I have done similar using a plugin called Theme My Login, this allows for login and log out links in the menu.
I have then used WPMUDEV’s membership plugin to register users and to show two different menu’s depending on whether the user is a guest or a registered member.
If you keep the home page sparse with a Call To Action to register, then your user is likely to register and follow that funnel.
I hope that helps.