Research shows that people become Christians because of a relationship with Christians; people like nurture courses – a staggering 95% said they found them helpful or very helpful; most people (69%) become Christians gradually – rather than having one dateable conversion experience of God (31%). For some the experience is like a capital V – a sudden change, while for others it is more gradual like a U; most people join a church and then find faith, rather than finding faith and then looking for a church to join. Belonging comes before believing – not the other way round (belonging does not necessarily mean attending Sunday services).

Source: EMMAUS the way of truth: Stage 1: Contact, CHP 2003, p.4,6,13