Produced by Ian Campbell Direction Ministry Resources Ass Inc NCD National Partner (South Pacific) & Adam Johnstone NCD Coordinator The Salvation Army (Australia Eastern Territory) © 2001 Direction Ministry Resources, The Salvation Army (Australia Eastern Territory) & The Institute for Natural Church Development International Not to be altered or reproduced without permission. Contact-

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“Some church growth concepts are so focused on the fruit... “Some church growth concepts are so focused on the fruit... …that they fail to consider the root that produces the fruit“ …that they fail to consider the root that produces the fruit“ 3

Is this Natural Church Development??? 4

The Biblical concept “The kingdom of God is like a farmer who casts seed upon the ground; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The earth produces crops ; first the blade, then the head and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28 “The kingdom of God is like a farmer who casts seed upon the ground; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The earth produces crops ; first the blade, then the head and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28 all by itself 5

A potted plant 6

What is Natural Church Development? What is Natural Church Development? Releasing the ‘all by itself’ growth, by which God Himself grows His church Releasing the ‘all by itself’ growth, by which God Himself grows His church 7

A A B B Models and principles Model Imitate Principles B B Abstract Individualize Construc t or Grow 8

The international research project 1000 churches 32 countries 6 continents 4.2 million answers 9

45 million answers churches profiled 50 countries Publishes in 30 languages The Institute in

Loving Relationships Need-oriented Evangelism Holistic Small Groups Inspiring Worship Service Core Growth Values Empowering Leadership Gift-oriented Ministry Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Empowering Gift-oriented Passionate Functional Inspiring Holistic Need-oriented Loving Research result The key The qualitative difference Growing and declining churches vary significantly in 8 quality areas The adjectives 11

Quality Characteristics Minimum Factor Service Attendance The Minimum Barrel 12

A Church profile Minimum Factor Example: May 1992 Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Functional Structures Functional Structures 13

Changes after 1 year May April 93 Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Functional Structures 14

Which Church is most likely to be growing numerically? Church BChurch CChurch A EL GoM PS FS IWS HSG NoE LR 15

Church BChurch CChurch A The “65 hypothesis” EL GoM PS FS IWS HSG NoE LR 16

Is it possible?……… Releasing the potential for ‘all by itself’ Church growth 17

Natural Church Development Natural Church Development 1 Corinthians 3:6 planted, I I watered, Apollos but made it grow. God 18

The ‘Construction’ approach The ‘Construction’ approach Construct or Grow Back to Main Presentation     = = The ‘Natural’ approach

Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Test Question Are the leaders focused on equipping other Christians to serve? Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation Sample of Research Results 21

Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Key Scripture “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:12 “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:12 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 22

Sample of Research Results: Empowering Leadership Sample of Research Results: Empowering Leadership Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 23

Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Test Question Do those in the church know their spiritual gifts and are they using them effectively? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 24

Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Key Scripture “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 25

Sample of Research Results: Gift-oriented Ministry Sample of Research Results: Gift-oriented Ministry Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 26

Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Test Question Is the spiritual life of those in the church characterized by prayer, enthusiasm and boldness? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 27

Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Key Scripture “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 28

Sample of Research Results: Passionate Spirituality Sample of Research Results: Passionate Spirituality Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 29

Functional Structures Functional Structures Test Question Is the church committed to continually adapting its structures to support ongoing healthy growth? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 30

Functional Structures Functional Structures Key Scripture “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 31

Sample of Research Results: Functional Structures Sample of Research Results: Functional Structures Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 32

Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Test Question Are people encountering God in a life-changing way during worship services? Are people encountering God in a life-changing way during worship services? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 33

Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Key Scripture “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” 1 Thess. 5:16-19 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” 1 Thess. 5:16-19 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 34

Sample of Research Results: Inspiring Worship Service Sample of Research Results: Inspiring Worship Service Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 35

Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Test Question Are the small groups consistently growing in their worship of God, their nurture of members and their mission focus? Are the small groups consistently growing in their worship of God, their nurture of members and their mission focus? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 36

Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Key Scripture “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.” Acts 2:46-47 “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.” Acts 2:46-47 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 37

Sample of Research Results: Holistic Small Groups Sample of Research Results: Holistic Small Groups Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 38

Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Test Question Is the evangelism of the church driven by a genuine desire to meet people at their point of need? Is the evangelism of the church driven by a genuine desire to meet people at their point of need? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 39

Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Key Scripture “To the Jews I became like a Jew… To those not having the law I became like one without the law… I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 “To the Jews I became like a Jew… To those not having the law I became like one without the law… I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 40

Sample of Research Results: Need-oriented Evangelism Sample of Research Results: Need-oriented Evangelism Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 41

Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Test Question Are the relationships in the church characterized by genuine love and encouragement shown in both word and deed? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 42

Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Key Scripture “A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 43

Sample of Research Results: Loving Relationships Sample of Research Results: Loving Relationships Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 44

The qualitative difference Empowering Leadership Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Gift-oriented Ministry Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Inspiring Worship Service Holistic Small Groups Loving Relationships 50 growing churches declining churches Back to Main Presentation 45