Church Development
Through an extensive scientific, international research project, Christian Schwarz found that there are eight distinctive quality characteristics which are more developed in growing churches than in those which are not growing. He determined that these quality characteristics are the "key to success" in growing churches. After concluding his international research, he developed a procedure by which any church could determine its own "quality index" based on the following eight quality characeristics:
Learn how to:
- Identify the strenghts and weaknesses of your church.
- Turn barriers into opportunities.
- Apply "Biotic" principles.
- Build spiritual momentum.
A New Paradigm
Natural church development is not just one church growth method among many. It is a different theological paradigm altogether. It introduces a different way of thinking for Christians.
Six Biotic Principles
If we follow the biblical example of learning from the laws inherent in God's creation and applying them to life within the kingdom of God, we encounter many principles which govern all of life - including the "organism" church.
- Interdependance
- Multiplication
- Energy Transformation
- Multi-Usage
- Symbiosis
- Functionality
The Minimum Factor
 The minimum strategy assumes that the growth of a church is blocked by the quality characteristics that are least developed. If a church focuses its energy primarily on these minimum factors, this alone can lead to further growth. |
The Six Phases of Natural Church Development (NCD)
The Six Phases of Quality Growth Cycle will help the church know exactly where they are in the process of the growth stages of NCD.
- Prepare for Survey
- Take the Survey
- Analyze Profile
- Develop Action Plan
- Implementation of Action Plan and Monitor
- Review and Re-measure Church
