Following Our CommissionFollowing Our Commission

Natural Church

Development

Natural Church

Development

The All-by-itself PrincipleThe All-by-itself Principle

The kingdom of God is like a man 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 kingdom of God is like a man 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 All-by-itself PrincipleThe All-by-itself Principle

The earth produces crops BY ITSELF; first the blade, then the head, and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28

The earth produces crops BY ITSELF; first the blade, then the head, and then the mature grain in the head.” Mark 4:26-28

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.

Natural Church DevelopmentNatural Church Development

I planted,Apollos watered,But God gave the

increase. So neither he who

plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

I planted,Apollos watered,But God gave the

increase. So neither he who

plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Models and PrinciplesModels and Principles

Model:

Imitation

Model:

Imitation

One to One

One to One

Models and PrinciplesModels and Principles

Principles:Abstraction

and Individualization

Principles:Abstraction

and Individualization

Many to OneMany to One

Models and PrinciplesModels and Principles

Research ResultsResearch Results

Healthy churches are growing churches

–Quality in churches can be measured quantitatively

Healthy churches are growing churches

–Quality in churches can be measured quantitatively

Research ResultsResearch Results

Improving quality in your church's "minimum factors" often results in quantitative church growth

Improving quality in your church's "minimum factors" often results in quantitative church growth

Eight Principles of Healthy ChurchesEight Principles of Healthy Churches

Empowering leadershipGift-oriented ministryPassionate spiritualityFunctional structures Inspiring worship serviceHolistic small groupsNeed-oriented evangelismLoving relationships

Empowering leadershipGift-oriented ministryPassionate spiritualityFunctional structures Inspiring worship serviceHolistic small groupsNeed-oriented evangelismLoving relationships

Empowering LeadershipEmpowering Leadership

Match of pastor and congregation

Delegation and sharing of ministry

Leadership through vision Leadership through mentoring

and equipping Leading change

Match of pastor and congregation

Delegation and sharing of ministry

Leadership through vision Leadership through mentoring

and equipping Leading change

Ephesians 4:11-13Ephesians 4:11-13

It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service,

It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service,

Ephesians 4:11-13Ephesians 4:11-13

so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Gift-Oriented MinistryGift-Oriented Ministry

Understanding your gift(s) Matching gifts to task Significance of service Coaching:

supported, trained, and challenged

Gift mobilization system (not included in survey, but very important)

Understanding your gift(s) Matching gifts to task Significance of service Coaching:

supported, trained, and challenged

Gift mobilization system (not included in survey, but very important)

1 Peter 4:101 Peter 4:10

Each should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms

Each should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms

Passionate SpiritualityPassionate Spirituality

Personal spiritual disciplines

Corporate spiritual disciplines

Contagious faith

Personal spiritual disciplines

Corporate spiritual disciplines

Contagious faith

Romans 12:11-12Romans 12:11-12

Don’t’ burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert Servants of the Master, cheer-fully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. (Message Bible)

Don’t’ burn out, keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert Servants of the Master, cheer-fully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. (Message Bible)

Functional StructuresFunctional Structures

Organizational structures and systems

Leadership oversight Vision, goals, and planning Creativity and managing

change

Organizational structures and systems

Leadership oversight Vision, goals, and planning Creativity and managing

change

Inspiring WorshipInspiring Worship

Feelings of being inspired Care for children Life transforming preaching Visitor friendly God-centered and vibrant music People leaving with a sense of

having experienced God’s presence

Feelings of being inspired Care for children Life transforming preaching Visitor friendly God-centered and vibrant music People leaving with a sense of

having experienced God’s presence

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire

1 Thessalonians 5:16-191 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Holistic Small GroupsHolistic Small Groups

Atmosphere: transparency, sharing, trust Spiritually oriented Meeting felt needs Relevance to daily life Guest sensitive Multiplication: disciples, leaders, groups Active participation of group members

Atmosphere: transparency, sharing, trust Spiritually oriented Meeting felt needs Relevance to daily life Guest sensitive Multiplication: disciples, leaders, groups Active participation of group members

Acts 2:46-47Acts 2:46-47

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Acts 2:46-47Acts 2:46-47

And the Lord the Lord added to their added to their number daily number daily those who were those who were being saved.being saved.

And the Lord the Lord added to their added to their number daily number daily those who were those who were being saved.being saved.

Need-Oriented EvangelismNeed-Oriented Evangelism

Personal evangelism Corporate evangelistic

strategies Seeker awareness Assimilation of new

Christians

Personal evangelism Corporate evangelistic

strategies Seeker awareness Assimilation of new

Christians

1 Corinthians 9:20-221 Corinthians 9:20-22

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20-221 Corinthians 9:20-22

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

1 Corinthians 9:20-221 Corinthians 9:20-22

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

Loving RelationshipsLoving Relationships

Atmosphere of joy and trust Interdependent relationships Affirmation and

encouragement Intentional conflict resolution

Atmosphere of joy and trust Interdependent relationships Affirmation and

encouragement Intentional conflict resolution

John 13:34-35John 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Growing a church doesn’t need to be such an uphill battle if we allow God to grow the church!

Growing a church doesn’t need to be such an uphill battle if we allow God to grow the church!

Churches who score in the 65 percentile or above are always growing churches

Churches who score in the 65 percentile or above are always growing churches

Newport Natural Church Development Profile

Newport Natural Church Development Profile

4443

51394142

514244

10 20 30 40 50 60

Empowering LeadershipGift-oriented Ministry

Passionate SpiritualityFunctional Structures

Inspiring WorshipHolistic Small Groups

Need-oriented EvangelismLoving Relatonships