Dr. Joseph Neilson presents a chart showing the present status of persons received into membership in Kankakee First Church in 1977. Section 2 An Agenda for Research on Member Attrition Dr. John Hawthorne of Olivet Nazarene University analyzes current literature available on the subject of church membership attrition. One Person's Heartbreak Rev. Randall Davey, pastor of Overland Park Church of the Nazarene, documents a case study of ne former Nazarene's reasons for leaving the denomination. Section 5 Interview with Church Members, Former Members, and Nonmembers Dr. Richard Stellway of Northwest Nazarene College presents findings of a telephone survey conducted in Nampa, Idaho. The survey was intended to give Nampa First Church for the Nazarene insights into community perceptions.
Some findings shed light on attrition and retention of members.
Section 6 Implications of Social Theory for Attrition of Church Members Dr. Ron Benefiel, pastor of Los Angeles First Church of the Nazarene and professor at Azusa Pacific, analyzes integration of church members into the body and the ways in which members are lost. Section 7 Slipping out the Back Door Dr. Michael K. Roberts of Eastern Nazarene College presents information form his dissertation pertaining to membership retention. Social networks ar the strongest indicator, with increasing education shown to be a negative factor. Special note might be made of the positive tie between personal evangelism and a members' attitude toward being a Nazarene. Not included in this document is a preliminary report by Dr. Kenneth Crow on the ministerial corps.