Much of the activity we do in the church simply “offers a way to stay busy and preoccupied with methodological pursuits while not facing the hard truth: none of this seems to be making a difference. Church activity is a poor substitute for genuine spiritual vitality.” Reggie McNeal “The Present Future”

NATURALCHURCHDEVELOPMENT ? What’s That

“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” -- John 4:35 Look to the fields

“Some church growth concepts are so focused on FRUIT......that they fail to consider the ROOT that produces the fruit.”

Peter Drucker 3 Questions Every Church Should Ask

Are we doing the right thing? LeadershipMissionVision

Are we doing the right thing? Are we doing it the right way? ManagementProcesses Efficiency Effectiveness

Are we doing the right thing? How do we know? Are we doing it the right way? EvaluationChange

Mark 4:26-29 "Jesus also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.”

Mark 4:26-29 “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”

Mark 4:26-29 “All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”

Mark 4:26-29 “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Jesus Explained What We Can And Cannot Do We can prepare the soil We can sow the seed We can sleep & can get up We can harvest the crop We CANNOT bring forth the fruit NCS © 2000

Key Question How can we release the potential that God has placed within EVERY church?

Introduction Natural Church Development

International Research Project International Research Project 1,000 churches 32 countries 18 languages 6 continents

The Institute Today The Institute Today 55,000 churches 60 countries 25 languages 30,000 churches in USA

It is “no longer possible to design a program, edit a hymnal, produce a curriculum series, offer a study program, train a youth minister, outline the format for a corporate worship service, fashion a church growth strategy, design a staff configuration, or recommend a system of governance that will meet the needs of every congregation.” Lyle Schaller, The Interventionist ©1997 One Size Fits All

“Ministry by mimicry is mockery” “If you can’t imitate him, don’t copy him.” Yogi Berra 1234

Uncle Buddy Phineas BreseeJohn Wesley James Arminius

Growing and declining churches vary significantly in eight quality areas Schwarz’ research revealed:

Quality Characteristics

Empowering Leadership Congratulations, Pastor! Your leadership training was so successful that we don‘t need you any longer.

Gift-based Ministry

Passionate Spirituality “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” -- Romans 12:11-12

Effective Structures

Inspiring Worship Service “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 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Holistic Small Groups

Loving Relationships

Need-oriented Evangelism

Research Results Improving quality in your church's "minimum factor" often results in quantitative church growth.

The Minimum Barrel Worship Attendance Minimum Factor Quality Characteristics

Jan 2006

Jan 2008

Strategic Planning For A Healthy Church The key issue is NOT church growth It’s CHURCH HEALTH “Healthy churches are always growing, but Not all growing churches are healthy churches! ” “…the fire will test the quality of each man’s (& church’s) work.” (1 Cor. 3:13) “If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.” “If we plan with God, we will not fail!”

Strategic Steps To Consider Make a commitment to keep focusing on church health as the foundation of your strategy and planning Consider conducting a church health analysis every other year to evaluate your progress

The Life Cycle & Stages of Organizational Development George W. Bullard Jr. in Congregational Passages Adolescence (VIPm) (VIPM) Adulthood (vIPM) Maturity Retirement (viPM) Old Age (vipM) Death (m) GROWTH PRIME AGING Birth (Vipm) Infancy (VIpm) V = Vision I = Inclusion P = Programs M =Management Refocus

This is a church in which the leadership is committed heart and soul to church growth;

This is a church in which nearly every Christian is using his or her gifts to edify the church;

This is a church in which most members are living out the faith with power and contagious enthusiasm;

This is a church in which church structures are evaluated on whether they serve the growth of the church or not;

This is a church in which worship services are a high point of the week for the majority of the congregation;

This is a church in which the loving and healing power of Christian fellowship can be experienced in small groups;

This is a church in which nearly all Christians, according to their gifts, help to fulfill the Great Commission;

This is a church in which the love of Christ permeates almost all church activities. Christian A. Schwarz in Natural Church Development (p 40)

Are we doing the right thing? How do we know? Are we doing it the right way?

for the Body of Christ The Bottom Line Quality of Health