Introduction to Introduction to Natural Church Natural Church DevelopmentDevelopment

Florida Conference

United Methodist Church

©2001 CoachNet, Inc.

NATURALNATURALCHURCHCHURCH

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

??What’s ThatWhat’s That

What is NCDWhat is NCD

• A different way of thinking about growth

• A long-term strategic process

Why NCD is HelpfulWhy NCD is Helpful

• Reminds us that God brings the growth• Helps us focus on principles, not programs• Provides a regular and accurate snapshot of a

church’s health• Outlines a process for improving quality• Helps us focus on essential growth values• Provides input for developing/refining vision• Directs limited resource effectively• Confirms long-held beliefs through research

What NCD is NOTWhat NCD is NOT

• Silver bullet to guarantee growth

• Substitute for spiritual leadership

• Substitute for unique vision

• Means to bring unity where there is division

• Short-term solution

Thinking Growth….NaturallyThinking Growth….Naturally

• God‘s principles for growing living organisms– Principles of nature apply to the church– The church is a living organism

• Partnering with God to stimulate healthy growth

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

A man scatters seed…

the seed sprouts and grows…

All by itself the soil produces

grain...

Thinking Growth….NaturallyThinking Growth….Naturally

Natural Church Development helps leaders create an ongoing

environment that releases the growth potential in their churches.

Thinking Growth….NaturallyThinking Growth….Naturally

• God‘s principles for growing living organisms– Principles of nature apply to the church– The church is a living organism

• Partnering with God to stimulate healthy growth

• Quality as the foundation for quantity

Thinking Growth….NaturallyThinking Growth….Naturally

Natural Church Development helps leaders identify and address the

unique health (quality) issues facing their churches.

Natural Natural Church Church

DevelopmentDevelopment

International Research International Research ProjectProject

• 1,000 churches

• 32 countries

• 18 languages

• 6 continents

Key QuestionKey Question

What church growth principles are true,

regardless of culture and theological

persuasion?

Quality CharacteristicsQuality Characteristics• Empowering Leadership• Gift-oriented• Passionate• Functional• Inspiring• Holistic• Need-oriented• Loving

MinistrySpiritualityStructuresWorshipSmall Groups

EvangelismRelationships

The Adjective is the key!

Six Biotic PrinciplesSix Biotic Principles

• Interdependence

• Multiplication

• Energy transformation

• Multi-usage

• Symbiosis

• Functionality

The NCD SurveyThe NCD Survey

• A diagnostic tool for implementing the NCD paradigm

• A question of values– Look at the adjective for quality, not the noun

• The Minimum Factor

Quality CharacteristicsQuality Characteristics

Minimum FactorMinimum Factor

Church AttendanceChurch Attendance

The Minimum BarrelThe Minimum Barrel

Raising the quality of the minimum factor often results in quantitative growth

The NCD CycleThe NCD Cycle

The Quality Growth Cycle is a strategic

process that provides a

framework for action.

Phase 1: Prepare for Survey

Phase 2: Do the Survey

Phase 3: Analyze Survey Results

Phase 4: Develop Action Plan

Phase 5: Implement & monitor

Phase 6: Evaluate and Repeat

The NCD CycleThe NCD Cycle

To do an NCD Survey?To do an NCD Survey?

• Is a survey really necessary? • Is a survey right for your church now?

– Timing– Commitment, unity and a heart for growth– Comings and goings at the top– Demographics, change and expectations– Recent church plant– Size

• Committed but not big enough yet?

Yes to the SurveyYes to the Survey

• Understand the basic NCD concepts • Leadership commitment• Know your NCD coach• Build momentum for change• Timing• Ordering the survey• Going on a journey

Helpful ResourcesHelpful Resources

• Natural Church Development (Schwarz)– Explanation of NCD basics

• ABC’s of Natural Church Development (Schwarz)– Abbreviated explanation of NCD

• Releasing Your Church’s Potential (Logan/Clegg)

• CoachNet web-based resourcing– www.coachnet.org

Natural Church Natural Church Development……Development……

......the choice is yours