Natural Church Development

Natural Church Development has been called a paradigm shift in the Christian community on the scale of the Reformation. It moves the understanding of the nature of the church closer to its first century roots by emphasizing the truth that only God causes His church to grow and that God has provided a way of growth for churches that is natural. Taking the good things from the Church Growth Movement of the latter twentieth century, it decries the unhealthy emphases that imply that church growth is accomplished mainly by the skills and acumen of men in using scientific studies and formulas. This, obviously, does not mean that NCD doesn't use "scientific" methods or measurement. It means it recognizes that church growth is a spiritual phenomenon similar to the natural phenomenon of a plant growing or a garden growing. People can aid the natural growth process if they understand it, yet they still don't make the plants or garden grow.

"Through careful research, Christian Schwarz has verified the link between church health and growth. Having worked among German churches for a number of years, he has broadened his studies to include churches from around the world. To my knowledge, there has never been such an extensive, statistically valid, worldwide church growth research project ever conducted."

--Robert E. Logan, May 1996 from the Preface of Natural Chruch Development by Christian A. Schwarz

One thousand churches in 38 countries on all the continents were studied. These churches were of every denomination and type. It was learned that quality in churches is a factor in producing quantity, but more importantly, the correlation between church health and church quality is high.

Continuous Improvement Ministries can offer you the survey instrument that will measure your church in the eight quality characteristics of a healthy, growing church. These eight quality characteristics are the following:

• Empowering leadership

• Gift-oriented ministry

• Passionate spirituality

• Functional structures

• Inspiring worship service

• Holistic small groups

• Need-oriented evangelism

• Loving relationships

Once a church knows the area of its minimum quality score, it can devise a strategy and a plan to increase this area. At the time this area moves past other areas, a new assessment will reveal the new minimum factor and drive a new strategy and plan. Call us (1-888-855-2557) or email us (klomax@ciministries.net) to get the details on how easy it is to do the NCD survey.

CIM offers a two-day seminar to introduce your church or your church leaders to the ideas of Natural Church Development. Learn about "biotic potential;" the difference between "spiritualism" and "technocracy" and how they differ from each other as well as from a healthy "bipolar church;" and the six "biotic principles."

Key Benefits

• Natural Church Development explains and makes a place for both the sovereign Holy Spirit and the faith efforts of man in church development, bringing balance and an appreciation for all the spiritual gifts and natural skills that members bring to a church.

• CIM's unique assessment instrument reveals what, in what order, and to what degree 15 ministry areas need to be improved in a church; the survey of Natural Church Development reveals the level of quality a church experiences in the eight quality areas (how inspiring is the worship service or how gift-oriented is the ministry, etc.); therefore, both instruments are value-add to a church seeking to be excellent.

• CIM has seasoned and skilled consultants who are experienced and dead serious in taking basic information that is produced in the assessment stage and leading a church improvement team to translate that information into a plan that is implemented.

back to the top of the page