Sermon Series Based on Natural Church Development
Week 1: Introduction to Natural Church Development
• Wagon with square wheels • Survey
• Blends of Spiritual and Science • 8 Quality Characteristics
• 20 years of Study • 6 Phases of Growth Cycle
• 45,000 churches surveyed • N.C.D. vs. ‘Church Growth
Week 2: Qualities 1 & 2
Empowering Leadership & Gift – Based Ministry
Week 3: Qualities 3 & 4
Passionate Spirituality & Effective Structures
Week 4: Qualities 5 & 6
Inspiring Worship Services & Holistic Small Groups
Week 5: Qualities 7 & 8
Need Oriented Evangelism & Loving Relationships
Week 6: Survey Results from Our Church
The Minimum Factor
Our Qualitative Goals
Week 7: The NCD Growth Spiral
6 Phases or Steps to apply what we are learning
* * * Further thoughts: I can see how the 8 Quality Characteristics could provide great
sermon material. These 8 qualities are grounded in Scripture and would be good
preach able material. However, the material covered in weeks 1, 6 & 7 don’t
preach too well. They cover interesting material, but I’d hate to use worship time
to convey this content. What about a meal at the beginning of the NCD
Campaign to introduce NCD concepts and a 2nd meal near the end of the
campaign to cover weeks 6 & 7 material as outlined above. We would have fewer
people at these meals than at worship, but enough to convey the concepts to a
‘critical mass’ of our people.
I also can’t see focusing on this NCD material on Palm Sunday or Easter
Story…Help!
* * * Very Rough Time line:
A. “Kick Off Meal” – Ash Wednesday – February 21 (what about Logos & GAP &
ACTS ??)
B. Sundays February 25th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th cover the 8 Qualities
C. “Next Steps Meal” on Sunday March 25th or April 1st