Leveraging our strengths in order to build up the growth areas at CCC is the main objective of participating in the Natural Church Development (NCD) program.
NCD is a research organization which conducts church studies. The group, which has implemented survey questionnaires of churches in 32 countries, promotes a principle-oriented program for church growth.
What NCD discovered as a result of the surveys are eight principles which characterize growing churches. These principles form possible areas of growth to be identified in survey results and include:
- empowering leadership
- gift-oriented ministry
- passionate spirituality
- functional structures
- inspiring worship
- holistic small groups
- need-oriented evangelism
- loving relationships
The group discovered that all eight principles must be present in order for a church to have healthy growth. The scriptural principle of Matthew 7:17 that good trees bear good fruit supports this point.
A recent survey of a cross section of CCC individuals who have attended the church for more than three months was given to identify growth areas. The results are being tallied by ChurchSmart Resources.
Once growth areas are identified a one-year health team will be formed to set and achieve goals to improve these areas, according to Pastor Lance Swearengin.
The pastor hopes the survey results will be “used to identify quality characteristics we can improve in order to become a more healthy church.”
The survey will be given three consecutive years to review progress in the growth areas.
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