Dec 24, 2015
Much of the activity we do in the church simply “offers a way to stay busy and preoccupied with methodological pursuits while not facing the hard truth: none of this seems to be making a difference. Church activity is a poor substitute for genuine spiritual vitality.”
Reggie McNeal “The Present Future”
“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
-- John 4:35
Look to the fieldsLook to the fields
““Some church growth Some church growth concepts are so focused concepts are so focused on FRUIT...on FRUIT...
...that they fail to consider ...that they fail to consider the ROOT that produces the ROOT that produces the fruit.”the fruit.”
Are we doing the right thing?
Are we doing it the right way?
Management
ProcessesEfficiency Effectivene
ss
Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29
"Jesus also said, "This is what the kingdom of God
is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.”
Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29
“Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though
he does not know how.”
Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29
“All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in
the head.”
Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29
“As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it,
because the harvest has come.”
Jesus Explained What We Can And Cannot Do
•We can prepare the soil
•We can sow the seed
•We can sleep & can get up
•We can harvest the crop
We CANNOT
bring forth the fruitNCS © 2000
International Research International Research ProjectProject
• 1,000 churches
• 32 countries
• 18 languages
• 6 continents
The Institute TodayThe Institute Today
• 55,000 churches• 60 countries• 25 languages• 30,000 churches
in USA
It is “no longer possible to design a program, edit a hymnal, produce a
curriculum series, offer a study program, train a youth minister, outline
the format for a corporate worship service, fashion a church growth
strategy, design a staff configuration, or recommend a system of governance
that will meet the needs of every congregation.”
Lyle Schaller, The Interventionist ©1997
One Size Fits All
Growing and declining churches vary significantly in eight quality areas
Schwarz’ research revealed:
Empowering LeadershipEmpowering LeadershipCongratulations,
Pastor! Your leadership
training was so successful that
we don‘t need you any
longer.
Passionate SpiritualityPassionate Spirituality
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the
Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
-- Romans 12:11-12
InspiringInspiring W Worship Serviceorship Service
“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 5:16-19
Research ResultsResearch Results
Improving quality in your church's "minimum factor" often results in quantitative church growth.
Strategic Planning For A Healthy Church
The key issue is NOT church growth
It’s
CHURCH HEALTH
“Healthy churches are always growing, but
Not all growing churches are
healthy churches!”
“…the fire will test the quality of each man’s (& church’s)
work.” (1 Cor. 3:13)
“If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.”
“If we plan with God, we will not
fail!”
Strategic Steps To Consider
Make a commitment to keep focusing on church health as
the foundation of your strategy and planning
Consider conducting a church health analysis every other
year to evaluate your progress
The Life Cycle & Stages of Organizational Development
George W. Bullard Jr. in Congregational Passages
Adolescence (VIPm)
(VIPM) Adulthood
(vIPM) Maturit
y Retirement (viPM)
Old Age (vipM)
Death (m)
GROWTH
PRIME
AGING
Birth (Vipm)
Infancy (VIpm)
V = Vision I = Inclusion P = Programs M =Management
Refocus
This is a church
in which most members are living out the faith with
power and contagious
enthusiasm;
This is a church in which church structures are evaluated on
whether they serve the growth of the
church or not;
This is a church in which worship
services are a high point of the week for the majority of the
congregation;
This is a church in which the loving
and healing power of Christian fellowship can be experienced
in small groups;
This is a church
in which nearly all Christians, according to their gifts, help to
fulfill the Great Commission;
This is a church
in which the love of Christ permeates almost all church
activities.Christian A. Schwarz in Natural Church Development (p 40)