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