Following Our Commission Natural Church Developmen t

The All-by-itself Principle The kingdom of God is like a man 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 kingdom of God is like a man 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 All-by-itself Principle The earth produces crops BY ITSELF; first the blade, then the head, and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28 The earth produces crops BY ITSELF; first the blade, then the head, and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28

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

Natural Church Development I planted, Apollos watered, But God gave the increase. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. I planted, Apollos watered, But God gave the increase. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6- 7

Models and Principles Model: Imitation Model: Imitation One to One

Models and Principles Principles: Abstraction and Individualization Principles: Abstraction and Individualization Many to One

Models and Principles

Research Results Healthy churches are growing churches –Quality in churches can be measured quantitatively Healthy churches are growing churches –Quality in churches can be measured quantitatively

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

Eight Principles of Healthy Churches  Empowering leadership  Gift-oriented ministry  Passionate spirituality  Functional structures  Inspiring worship service  Holistic small groups  Need-oriented evangelism  Loving relationships  Empowering leadership  Gift-oriented ministry  Passionate spirituality  Functional structures  Inspiring worship service  Holistic small groups  Need-oriented evangelism  Loving relationships

Empowering Leadership Match of pastor and congregation Delegation and sharing of ministry Leadership through vision Leadership through mentoring and equipping Leading change Match of pastor and congregation Delegation and sharing of ministry Leadership through vision Leadership through mentoring and equipping Leading change

Ephesians 4:11-13  It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service,

Ephesians 4:11-13  so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Gift-Oriented Ministry Understanding your gift(s) Matching gifts to task Significance of service Coaching: supported, trained, and challenged Gift mobilization system (not included in survey, but very important) Understanding your gift(s) Matching gifts to task Significance of service Coaching: supported, trained, and challenged Gift mobilization system (not included in survey, but very important)

1 Peter 4:10  Each should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms

Passionate Spirituality Personal spiritual disciplines Corporate spiritual disciplines Contagious faith Personal spiritual disciplines Corporate spiritual disciplines Contagious faith

Romans 12:11-12  Don’t’ burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert Servants of the Master, cheer-fully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. (Message Bible)

Functional Structures Organizational structures and systems Leadership oversight Vision, goals, and planning Creativity and managing change Organizational structures and systems Leadership oversight Vision, goals, and planning Creativity and managing change

Inspiring Worship Feelings of being inspired Care for children Life transforming preaching Visitor friendly God-centered and vibrant music People leaving with a sense of having experienced God’s presence Feelings of being inspired Care for children Life transforming preaching Visitor friendly God-centered and vibrant music People leaving with a sense of having experienced God’s presence

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 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 Atmosphere: transparency, sharing, trust Spiritually oriented Meeting felt needs Relevance to daily life Guest sensitive Multiplication: disciples, leaders, groups Active participation of group members Atmosphere: transparency, sharing, trust Spiritually oriented Meeting felt needs Relevance to daily life Guest sensitive Multiplication: disciples, leaders, groups Active participation of group members

Acts 2:46-47  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Acts 2:46-47 the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Need-Oriented Evangelism Personal evangelism Corporate evangelistic strategies Seeker awareness Assimilation of new Christians Personal evangelism Corporate evangelistic strategies Seeker awareness Assimilation of new Christians

1 Corinthians 9:20-22  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

Loving Relationships Atmosphere of joy and trust Interdependent relationships Affirmation and encouragement Intentional conflict resolution Atmosphere of joy and trust Interdependent relationships Affirmation and encouragement Intentional conflict resolution

John 13:34-35  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Growing a church doesn’t need to be such an uphill battle if we allow God to grow the church! Growing a church doesn’t need to be such an uphill battle if we allow God to grow the church!

Churches who score in the 65 percentile or above are always growing churches

Newport Natural Church Development Profile

A tool for understanding your church’s strengths and growth areas A method for receiving outside input and insight from colleagues and lay leaders

Need for evaluation Churches slip into a maintenance mode very easily The opportunity to look at church through new eyes Increase credibility with lay leaders Need for evaluation Churches slip into a maintenance mode very easily The opportunity to look at church through new eyes Increase credibility with lay leaders

Mystery Guests are sent to the church Demographics are collected Other pastors and lay leaders are scheduled for the OCCS weekend Prayer teams are organized Mystery Guests are sent to the church Demographics are collected Other pastors and lay leaders are scheduled for the OCCS weekend Prayer teams are organized

NCD profile is presented OCCS visitation team gives report Local church shares dreams and direction Church looks at minimum factor and begins process of growth in that area NCD profile is presented OCCS visitation team gives report Local church shares dreams and direction Church looks at minimum factor and begins process of growth in that area

Church board continues discussion of consultation report Evaluation of OCCS process is given to the Ministerial Department Within a year another NCD survey is taken Church grows naturally! Church board continues discussion of consultation report Evaluation of OCCS process is given to the Ministerial Department Within a year another NCD survey is taken Church grows naturally!

Church board votes to request OCCS Church submits $200 to the Oregon Conference Ministerial Department The Church and Ministerial Department set the date for the consultation weekend Church board votes to request OCCS Church submits $200 to the Oregon Conference Ministerial Department The Church and Ministerial Department set the date for the consultation weekend