The Outreach Index is a complex measure constructed from indicators of the number of new churches, church closures, active organized and NewStart congregations, new Nazarenes, revivals, the Sunday school enrollment compared with the U.S. population, and the number participating in Work and Witness.

The Outreach Index declined significantly in 2007. Over the years there have periods of improvement, but the general trend has not been positive. In 2007 this index was down 30% from the 1980 level.

The number of active organized churches and NewStarts declined gradually from 1990 through 2002 with slight interruptions to this trend in 1998 and 2000. In 2003 and 2004 the number of active congregations increased. However, since that time the number of active congregations has decreased each year. The general trend of New Nazarenes is one of increase – up 20% from the 1990 level. The number reporting at least one revival campaign during the year has dropped from 4,069 (84% of the churches) in 1980 and 3,908 (76%) in 1990 to 2,383 (51%) in 2007.