A study investigated evangelist Billy Graham's numerical success in using "the invitation" and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's (BGEA) follow-up plan to preserve the beneficial effects of Christian commitment and to minimize commitment attrition. Statistics on audience response gathered throughout Graham's ministry attest to the evangelist's unusual persuasive ability. Over two million "inquirers" have responded to the invitation for Christian commitment. Lay persons, clergy, Billy Graham, and his associates successfully use oral and written communication strategies to encourage "inquirers" to join a church, study the Bible, pray, and witness. The eight-component program includes personal counseling, Bible study correspondence, church follow-up, literature follow-up, the popular magazine "Decision," nurture groups, telephone follow-up, and a special follow-up tailored to the needs of a particular crusade area. Through the instructional components, Graham and his associates have become temporary teachers, and through their messages of encouragement they have become temporary pastors. These functions are then passed on to the local churches. A critical, summarizing study of commitment durability assessments appears to be called for, due to the considerable variance in methodological soundness and conclusions of current assessments. (Two figures illustrating phases of crusade organization and a crusade counselor's card are included; 52 notes are included.) (KEH)