This is intended to be the first in an annual series of reports on the New Nazarenes who joined the Church of the Nazarene during the 1989 assembly year. In the decade which ended that year 286,339 New Nazarenes joined the church. Data have not been available to examine this, or other, assumptions. The study should increase in value as this cohort of members progresses into, or through, their membership career. With the information gained, denominational and local church leaders may be better able to improve ministries to increase the proportion of the fruit of evangelism which remains.
Several conclusions are, however, possible after the first year.
Some attrition occurs very quickly. Unless renewal the spiritual and congregational relationships takes place, it might be expected that these members have already taken the first steps toward loss of membership. On the other hand, a large proportion are active in the church. Most have a stable or growing in spiritual maturity. Many have close relationships with other members which should strengthen their relationship with the church.