Natural Church Development
What is Natural Church Development?
Natural Church Development is a way of understanding church health and growth that views the church as a living organism. The focus is not on numerical growth, but on improving the health of the church, with the understanding- documented by research–that when a church is sufficiently healthy, numerical growth will follow. These concepts are explained in the book Natural Church Development by Christian A. Schwarz.
On March 9, 2008, the pastor and 30 active members completed a survey analyzed by an NCD expert in the Florida Conference to get a snapshot of our church family’s health.
To recap:
The survey responses were used to calculate scores for 8 factors, called Quality Characteristics, which have been found to be present in every healthy, growing church. The scores provide a profile of our church that we will use to develop measurable goals and strategies as we move through the NCD cycle. And, because the scores are “standardized,” we can compare our results to other churches that have participated in NCD.
For the purposes of developing an action plan, the most significant scores are our highest and lowest Quality Characteristics. Our highest Quality Characteristics (our strengths) are “Inspiring Worship Service” and “Holistic Small Groups” (tie).
Our lowest scoring Quality Characteristic (our weakness) is “Need-oriented Evangelism (NOE).” NOE intentionally cultivates relationships with pre-Christian people so they can become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, who are actively participating within the life of the church and community. Using appropriate ministries and authentic relationships, believers can guide others into the family of God.
On Sunday, May 18th, 32 FUMC members participated in focus group meetings where NCD Committee members presented the NCD survey findings in more detail, then asked participants to share their thoughts and feelings. The purpose of the focus groups was to lead us to a better understanding of the survey results and why NOE is our family’s minimum factor.
In the focus groups, participants shared their initial reactions to the results, and then were guided through several exercises with the purpose of identifying the key issues contributing to our minimum factor. In fact, we are planning several additional focus groups during the next few weeks to ask many of you for your feedback on this topic. All of the feedback from all focus groups will be compiled and then shared with the congregation. With this feedback, our goal will then be to identify several opportunities for improvement via specific strategies and goals - -steps that church members can take to overcome obstacles standing in the way of Need-oriented Evangelism - and to eventually turn our "weakest link" into one of our strengths as a congregation.
Stay tuned to the Tower, bulletin and website for more information about Natural Church Development and opportunities to participate in upcoming focus groups. With questions or comments, you can e-mail the Growth Team for more information.
We ask for your continued prayerful support as our church moves through the NCD process and discovers its full potential for church growth and health.
Your NCD Committee
David Abbey Sue Allen Jim Cohen
Tom Fitzpatrick Dawn Tripolino Emory Wood
