Natural Church Development

What is Natural Church Development?

Natural Church Development is a long-term strategic process for progressively improving a church’s health. It is a process of continual improvement, not a program that, if implemented to the letter, guarantees “a healthy church.” It requires a long-term commitment that is intentional and consistent.

At the heart of the process is a sophisticated diagnostic tool, the "NCD" survey, which complies with international statistical standards for validity and reliability. Annual surveys provide an accurate up-to-date “snapshot” of the health of the church on an ongoing basis. Key people within the life of the church base them on an assessment.  Each survey enables the church leadership to assess improvement in the church’s health over the previous year and focus on the area needing the greatest attention in the coming year.

NCD equips church leaders to —

• Accurately assess church health
• Refine vision, goals and strategies
• Revisit essential values
• Focus resources appropriately

Eight Quality Characteristics

These quality characteristics were proven to be found in healthy churches.

• Empowering Leadership
• Gift-oriented Ministry
• Passionate Spirituality
• Functional Structures
• Inspiring Worship Services
• Holistic Small Groups
• Need-oriented Evangelism
• Loving Relationships

The key in each of these quality characteristics is the adjective, which can be considered a summary of the six biotic principles as they apply to that characteristic.