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Natural Church Development (NCD)
Natural Church Development is a way of releasing the potential that exists within every church. It is not a cookie-cutter approach. It recognizes the uniqueness of every church.
Natural Church Development is both scientific and biblical. The biblical basis is found in Mark 4:26-29: "He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." The key phrase in that passage is "all by itself." Natural Church Development recognizes that God is the One who produces the fruit. Our responsibility is to be faithful and obedient and scatter the seed.
Over 1,000 churches were studied world-wide. The churches studied were both large and small, growing and declining and city and rural. Out of their research, Natural Church Development identified eight quality characteristics that they believe are universal to every church, regardless of their circumstances. Those eight quality characteristics are:
- Empowering Leadership
- Gift-Based Ministry
- Passionate Spirituality
- Inspiring Worship
- Holistic Small Groups
- Effective Structures
- Need-Oriented Evangelism
- Loving Relationships
Natural Church Development has put together a scientific survey to measure the health of a church and coach them through the five-step process of Natural Church Development:
- Prepare
- Diagnose
- Plan
- Implement
- Evaluate
If you would like more information, please contact Steve Hammer (952-446-9318).
