The Importance of Considering the Root of Church Growth Concepts

1. Produced by Ian Campbell Direction Ministry Resources Ass Inc NCD National Partner (South Pacific) & Adam Johnstone NCD Coordinator The Salvation Army (Australia Eastern Territory) 2001 Direction Ministry Resources, The Salvation Army (Australia Eastern Territory) & The Institute for Natural Church Development International Not to be altered or reproduced without permission. Contact- office@directionresources.com.au

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3. Some church growth concepts are so focused on the fruit... Some church growth concepts are so focused on the fruit... that they fail to consider the root that produces the fruit that they fail to consider the root that produces the fruit 3

4. Is this Natural Church Development??? Is this Natural Church Development??? 4

5. The Biblical concept The Biblical concept The kingdom of God is like a farmer who casts seed upon the ground; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The earth produces crops ; first the blade, then the head and then the mature grain in the head. Mark 4:26-28 The kingdom of God is like a farmer who casts seed upon the ground; and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows - how, he himself does not know. The earth produces crops ; first the blade, then the head and then the mature grain in the head. Mark 4:26-28 all by itself all by itself 5

6. A potted plant A potted plant 6

7. What is Natural Church Development? What is Natural Church Development? Releasing the all by itself growth, by which God Himself grows His church Releasing the all by itself growth, by which God Himself grows His church 7

8. A A B B Models and principles Models and principles Model Model Imitate Imitate Principles Principles B B Abstract Abstract Individualize Individualize Construc t or Grow 8

9. The international research project 1000 churches 1000 churches 32 countries 32 countries 6 continents 6 continents 4.2 million answers 4.2 million answers 9

10. 45 million answers 45 million answers 12000 churches profiled 12000 churches profiled 50 countries 50 countries Publishes in 30 languages Publishes in 30 languages The Institute in 2002 The Institute in 2002 10

11. Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Core Growth Values Core Growth Values Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Functional Structures Empowering Empowering Gift-oriented Gift-oriented Passionate Passionate Functional Functional Inspiring Inspiring Holistic Holistic Need-oriented Need-oriented Loving Loving Research result Research result The key The key The qualitative difference Growing and declining churches vary significantly in Growing and declining churches vary significantly in 8 quality areas 8 quality areas The The adjectives adjectives 11

12. Quality Characteristics Quality Characteristics Minimum Factor Minimum Factor Service Attendance Service Attendance The Minimum Barrel The Minimum Barrel 12

13. A Church profile A Church profile Minimum Factor Example: May 1992 Example: May 1992 Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Functional Structures Functional Structures Functional Structures 13

14. Changes after 1 year Changes after 1 year May 92 May 92 +1 +1 +8 +8 -6 -6 +14 +14 +3 +3 +1 +1 +2 +2 -3 -3 April 93 April 93 Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Functional Structures 14

15. Which Church is most likely to be growing numerically? Which Church is most likely to be growing numerically? Church B Church C Church A 45 45 55 55 65 65 75 75 85 85 EL EL GoM GoM PS PS FS FS IWS IWS HSG HSG NoE NoE LR LR 15

16. Church B Church C Church A The 65 hypothesis The 65 hypothesis 45 45 55 55 65 65 75 75 85 85 65 EL EL GoM GoM PS PS FS FS IWS IWS HSG HSG NoE NoE LR LR 16

17. Is it possible? Is it possible? Releasing the potential for Releasing the potential for all by itself all by itself Church growth Church growth 17

18. Natural Church Development Natural Church Development 1 Corinthians 3:6 1 Corinthians 3:6 planted, planted, I I watered, watered, Apollos Apollos but made it grow. but made it grow. God God 18

20. The Construction approach T h e C o n s t r u c t i o n a p p r o a c h Construct or Grow Construct or Grow Back to Main Presentation + + + + + + = = The Natural approach The Natural approach 20 + +

21. Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Test Question Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Test Question Are the leaders focused on equipping other Christians to serve? Are the leaders focused on equipping other Christians to serve? Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation Sample of Research Results 21

22. Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Key Scripture Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Key Scripture to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:12 to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:12 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 22

23. Sample of Research Results: Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Sample of Research Results: Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 23

24. Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Test Question Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Test Question Do those in the church know their spiritual gifts and are they using them effectively? Do those in the church know their spiritual gifts and are they using them effectively? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 24

25. Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Key Scripture Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Key Scripture Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 25

26. Sample of Research Results: Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Sample of Research Results: Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 26

27. Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Test Question Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Test Question Is the spiritual life of those in the church characterized by prayer, enthusiasm and boldness? Is the spiritual life of those in the church characterized by prayer, enthusiasm and boldness? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 27

28. Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Key Scripture Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Key Scripture Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 28

29. Sample of Research Results: Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Sample of Research Results: Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 29

30. Functional Structures Functional Structures Test Question Functional Structures Functional Structures Test Question Is the church committed to continually adapting its structures to support ongoing healthy growth? Is the church committed to continually adapting its structures to support ongoing healthy growth? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 30

31. Functional Structures Functional Structures Key Scripture Functional Structures Functional Structures Key Scripture The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 31

32. Sample of Research Results: Functional Structures Functional Structures Sample of Research Results: Functional Structures Functional Structures Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 32

33. Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Test Question Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Test Question Are people encountering God in a life-changing way during worship services? Are people encountering God in a life-changing way during worship services? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 33

34. Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Key Scripture Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Key Scripture Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, For this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirits fire. 1 Thess. 5:16-19 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, For this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirits fire. 1 Thess. 5:16-19 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 34

35. Sample of Research Results: Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Sample of Research Results: Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 35

36. Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Test Question Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Test Question Are the small groups consistently growing in their worship of God, their nurture of members and their mission focus? Are the small groups consistently growing in their worship of God, their nurture of members and their mission focus? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 36

37. Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Key Scripture Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Key Scripture They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. Acts 2:46-47 They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. Acts 2:46-47 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 37

38. Sample of Research Results: Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Sample of Research Results: Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 38

39. Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Test Question Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Test Question Is the evangelism of the church driven by a genuine desire to meet people at their point of need? Is the evangelism of the church driven by a genuine desire to meet people at their point of need? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 39

40. Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Key Scripture Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Key Scripture To the Jews I became like a Jew To those not having the law I became like one without the law I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 To the Jews I became like a Jew To those not having the law I became like one without the law I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 40

41. Sample of Research Results: Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Sample of Research Results: Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 41

42. Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Test Question Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Test Question Are the relationships in the church characterized by genuine love and encouragement shown in both word and deed? Are the relationships in the church characterized by genuine love and encouragement shown in both word and deed? Key Scriptur e Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 42

43. Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Key Scripture Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Key Scripture A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 Test Questio n Sample of Research Results Back to Main Presentation 43

44. Sample of Research Results: Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Sample of Research Results: Loving Relationships Loving Relationships Test Questio n Key Scriptur e Back to Main Presentation 44

45. 40 42 44 46 48 52 54 56 58 60 50 The qualitative difference The qualitative difference Empowering Leadership Empowering Leadership Need-oriented Evangelism Need-oriented Evangelism Gift-oriented Ministry Gift-oriented Ministry Passionate Spirituality Passionate Spirituality Functional Structures Functional Structures Inspiring Worship Service Inspiring Worship Service Holistic Small Groups Holistic Small Groups Loving Relationships Loving Relationships 50 growing churches declining churches +9 +9 +11 +11 +9 +9 +13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +9 +9 +9 +9 Back to Main Presentation 45