The Enga Province of the Western Highlands Mission (WHM), Papua New Guinea, has launched a new local membership retention policy to address the ongoing challenge of apostasy in the region. The launch took place on March 23, following three days of employee orientation.
According to Enga area supervisor Pastor David Maxwell, the province is known for its ongoing tribal conflicts and evolving cultural pressures. He also explained that many church members in the area face difficulties in practising their faith. The new policy is intended to provide local churches with a practical guide for nurturing members and reducing backsliding.
“This is a response to one of our biggest internal threats as a church,” said Pastor Maxwell. “During PNG for Christ 2024, we decided we needed more than just evangelistic programs. We needed a structured approach to help our members stay grounded in the faith.”
The Membership Retention Policy (MRP) includes project-based activities and a management structure designed to support ongoing discipleship. According to Pastor Maxwell, the policy is built on Jesus’ instruction to Peter in John 21:15–17 to “feed My lambs” and “tend My sheep.”
“We are making thousands of disciples, but if we don’t nurture them, they leave the church,” he said. “This guide helps us take membership retention seriously.”
The launch ceremony concluded with expressions of support from district directors and lay representatives, who thanked Pastor Maxwell for leading the development of the policy. The resource was officially launched by WHM president Pastor Luke Nathan and will be implemented across the province this year.
