Natural Church Development An Introduction and Update God

Natural Church Development An Introduction and Update

God and Church Growth What’s going on in this picture? Everything we need to see the church grow has been provided by God The problem is that we do not make use of it! Principles vs. models

The Eight Quality Characteristics of Growing Churches

Quality Characteristic #1: Empowering Leadership Not “empowered, ” but “empowering” Growing churches have leaders who raise up leaders and give leadership away Equip, support, motivate, and mentor

Quality Characteristic #2: Gift-Based Ministry Growing churches help members identify their gifts and integrate them into ministries “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet. ” Frederick Buechner NCD research: no greater joy than living according to our spiritual gifts

Quality Characteristic #3: Passionate Spirituality There are divergent styles of spirituality The important thing is not the way spirituality is expressed, but that faith is really lived out with commitment, fire, and enthusiasm What good is the best engine if the gas tank is empty and when there is no energy?

Quality Characteristic #4: Effective Structures Growing churches have forms and structures that fulfill their purpose well Structures are always a mean to an end This characteristic gets the most resistance “Traditionalism means church forms have to stay the same way I have become used to them. ”

Quality Characteristic #5: Inspiring Worship Service The key is not the style (or model) of worship The key is the principle of worship: Is worship an inspiring experience for those who attend it? This characteristic clearly separates growing from nongrowing churches “People who attend inspiring worship services unanimously declare that the church service is ‘fun. ’”

Quality Characteristic #6: Holistic Small Groups Intimate community, practical help, and intensive spiritual interaction “Christian small groups are not a nice, yet disposable hobby. No, it is the very essence of the true life of Jesus Christ that is worked out in small groups. ”

Quality Characteristic #7: Need-Oriented Evangelism Growing churches share the gospel in a way that meets the questions and needs of non-Christians See John 1: 35 -51

Quality Characteristic #8: Loving Relationships How much time do members spend together beyond church-sponsored events? How much laughter is there in the church? “Unfeigned, practical love endows a church with a much greater magnetic power than all the marketing efforts of this world. ”

The All-by-Itself Principle God has given the church everything it needs to grow Mark 4: 26 -29 Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime. ” Every church has the nouns Growth comes through the adjectives

Key Concern: The Quality of Churches Quality is the root Quantity is the fruit What is our weakest area?

sp iri In ct ur es n Ho g W lis or tic Ne sh Sm ed ip -O al l. G rie ro nt up ed s Ev Lo an vi ge ng lis Re m la tio ns Cu hi rr ps en t. A ve ra ge ru St ity tu al ip ry ist in M Sp iri e iv ec t Ef f te se d sh Le ad er 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 na io ss Pa Ba ft - Gi in g po w er Em Quality Characteristic Current Profile 2013 52 44 47 34 50 52 44 36 35 50 = Average 65 = High 35 = Low

Empowering Leadership Current Profile 2013 70 63 60 How well do the leaders delegate and share ministry? Is our pastor(s) free to make decisions and lead the church? Is this a team effort or a oneperson show? Are we just maintaining current ministry or are there definable goals? 50 50 40 42 35 30 20 10 0 Leaders empower others Leadership fit Delegation and sharing of ministry Compelling vision

Gift-Based Ministry Current Profile 2013 70 60 50 Do we match people’s gifts to the task(s) they perform at the church? Do people feel joy in their service or is it an obligation? Does the church leadership support people in their ministry? Are people trained for their task(s)? 61 52 50 44 40 30 20 10 0 Integrating Significance of Support for gifts into ministry Equipping for ministry

Passionate Spirituality Current Profile 2013 70 60 What role does my relationship with Christ have in my daily life? Not just a passion for the local church, but for Christ’s church. How important is the Bible to the way people live their lives? How can we move religion from being a private matter to a topic that we discuss with other believers? 50 40 40 39 39 30 23 20 10 0 Experiencing God Passion for Church Passion for devotions Spiritual interconnectedness

Effective Structures Current Profile 2013 70 60 53 52 50 42 40 How do we determine and communicate corporate goals? What would an organizational chart of our church look like? How does the church encourage and allow creative thinking? How are leaders appointed and trained? Who do they report to? 35 30 20 10 0 Effective planning Organizational Innovation and strutures and managing change systems Structure for effective leadership

Inspiring Worship Current Profile 2013 70 60 56 51 50 40 39 Do people leave worship feeling better than when they arrived? Do people want to share the worship service with their friends? Why do people come to your worship service? Does the sermon address reallife needs of the congregation? 41 30 20 10 0 Personal Visitor friendly Anticipation for transformation church worship in worship Relevance of message

Holistic Small Groups Current Profile 2013 70 60 50 59 51 What does group life look like when “God shows up”? Are the groups growing? How fast? How effective have your groups been in incorporating new people? What makes your small groups a safe place for learning and sharing? 62 49 40 30 20 10 0 Developing spirituallyoriented community Multiplication of disciples, leaders, and groups Integrating newcomers Group relevance

Need-Oriented Evangelism Current Profile 2013 70 60 50 40 41 How do you make newcomers feel as if they belong? How intentional is the leadership at encouraging evangelism? How well do the people in your congregation do in sharing their faith? How do we as a church work together to welcome seekers? 42 37 30 25 20 10 0 Compassionate Corporate church evangelistic efforts Personal evangelism Seekersensitive church

Loving Relationships Current Profile 2013 Do we encourage one another? Are joy and acceptance present in our church on a weekly basis? How interconnected are the people in our church? Is conflict addressed or ignored? 70 56 60 50 40 36 34 30 25 20 10 0 Affirmation and Atmosphere of encouragement joy and acceptance Deepening relationships Conflict resolution

Passionate Spirituality Focus Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What are two ideas that will help you be more passionate, inspired, and enthusiastic in your Bible study and devotional life? What are two ideas that will help you become more comfortable and confident in talking about your faith with others? What are two ideas that will help you stretch yourself to be more intentional and confident in showing your faith through your daily life? What are two ideas that will prompt you to graciously increase your financial stewardship to St. Philip’s Lutheran Church? What are two ideas that you will personally commit to that will help St. Philip’s Lutheran Church actively engage the changing neighborhood and community?

Where Do We Go from Here? Healthy Church Team Congregational Survey 30 representative active members Measure SPLC’s eight quality characteristics Focus Groups Set SMART Goals based on SPLC’s Minimum Factor Collaborate, communicate, and participate Monitor progress toward goals Congregational Survey in 12 -15 months