Healthy Congregations > Natural Church Development
As they were going down to the edge of
the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us"- and
the servant did so-"but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a
message from God."
1 Sam 9:27 NIV
Natural
Church Development
Purpose: Release God's growth potential through the development of healthy
congregations.
The
Natural Church Development process, which includes a survey of thirty members of
a congregation, including the pastor, evaluates the qualitative health of a local congregation by
looking at eight essential quality elements in effective ministry.
By using the Natural Church Development process a
church can assess its state of health and implement growth and direction in
various areas of ministry by exhibiting it’s lowest quality rating (minimum
factor) and working on this area.
The District has over ninety congregations participating in the NCD survey process and working on their minimum factor growth. The excitement with each participating congregation is at the end of year one, when a second survey is given, to see how this growth has taken place.
Coaches Available
The Northwest District is pleased to announce that available within our
district are a number of pastors who have been trained as coaches for Natural
Church Development.
These coaches will work with congregations who want assistance in
understanding their goals for growth and the implementation of those goals in
the eight fundamental areas of NCD.
We encourage congregations just starting Natural Church Development and those
who have worked with the NCD process in the past to call upon a coach in your
area. They can show you how exciting Natural Church Development can be for your
church’s healthy growth.
Action Planning Workshop
Did your congregation put forth some goals and action plans when you received
your survey results? Were these questions discussed?
What are the 3-5 key issues that need to be addressed?
How will you let your intercessors know current issues for prayer?
What communication needs to take place with the congregation or key
leaders on progress made?
Who will do a presentation on the basic Biotic concepts?
Who needs to be invited to participate in the action planning workshop?
When will you have the workshop and what resources will you need?
Who will be responsible for each initiative?
How will you help the congregation and key leaders gain ownership of your
plan?
When will you schedule reporting and evaluation along the way?
You want goals and strategies that will address the issues contributing to
your Minimum Factor. You also want to help your implementation team understand
and incorporate the Biotic Principles
of Natural Church Development into their implementation plan.
We can help! The District Office Department of Healthy Congregations under
the direction of Denny Langston can answer your questions and connect you with a
coach in your area. Please contact: Nikki
Goettle or call her at 1-888-693-5267.
BY PHONE (TOLL FREE): 1-888-NWD-LCMS (1-888-693-5267) or (503)288-8383
1700 NE Knott Street, Portland, Oregon 97212
Fax: (503)284-2785 or (503)335-7013 or (503)287-4920 | Email:
admin@nowlcms.org
The
Natural Church Development process, which includes a survey of thirty members of
a congregation, including the pastor, evaluates the qualitative health of a local congregation by
looking at eight essential quality elements in effective ministry.
