Produced by Ian Campbell Direction Ministry Resources Ass Inc NCD National Partner (South Pacific) & Adam Johnstone NCD Coordinator The Salvation Army.

Produced by

Ian CampbellDirection Ministry Resources Ass IncNCD National Partner (South Pacific)

&Adam Johnstone

NCD CoordinatorThe 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- [email protected]

ToolsToolsGetting

PracticalGetting

Practical

Partnering with God

Partnering with God

BIOTIC PRINCIPLES

BIOTIC PRINCIPLES

Introducing Biotic

Principles

Introducing Biotic

Principles

Please select 1 of

the 4

Please select 1 of

the 42

Introducing…Introducing… They’re friendlier

than I expected

Back to Main Menu 4

Growing the Kingdom of GodGrowing the Kingdom of God

“The kingdom of God is like a farmerwho 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 headand then the mature grain in the head.”

Mark 4:26-28



Mark 4:26-28

all by itselfall by itself

5

Only God can

bring life and growth

…the seed sprouts up and grows

- how, the farmer does not know

We have a part to

play

…casts seed upon the ground


all by itself

growth

all by itself

growth

6

We have a part to

play

Only God can

bring life and growth

For ‘all by itself’ growth, we must do our part in harmony with how God

does His part

For ‘all by itself’ growth, we must do our part in harmony with how God

does His part

all by itself

growth

all by itself

growth


7

Biotic = LifeBiotic = Life

Biotic Principles

Biotic Principles

Christian Schwarz calls them Christian Schwarz calls them

Research shows these natural principles are at work in healthy, growing

churches

Research shows these natural principles are at work in healthy, growing

churches

Scripture tells us the church is also a living organism

Scripture tells us the church is also a living organism

In nature, God uses natural principles to grow healthy

organisms

In nature, God uses natural principles to grow healthy

organisms

How does God grow organismsHow does God grow organisms

8

FunctionalityFunctionality

SymbiosisSymbiosis

Multi-usageMulti-usage

The Biotic PrinciplesThe Biotic Principles

Interdependence

Interdependence

MultiplicationMultiplication

Energy TransformationEnergy Transformation

9

The Quality Characteristics & the BioticsThe Quality Characteristics & the Biotics

How the Quality

Characteristics are developed

How the Quality

Characteristics are developed

What a church needs to developWhat a church needs to develop

Quality Characteristics

Biotic Principles

Example:Leadership according to

= Leadership

Example:Leadership according to

= Leadership

Biotic PrinciplesBiotic Principles

Empowering

Empowering 10

The secret to the BioticsThe secret to the Biotics

The secret in beginning

to understand and apply the

Biotic Principles is learning to

recognize where they are already

operating

The secret in beginning

to understand and apply the

Biotic Principles is learning to

recognize where they are already

operating

11

You have seen them You have seen them woworkrkinging in nature and in the worldin nature and in the world

You have seen them You have seen them woworkrkinging in nature and in the worldin nature and in the world

Observing the Biotics in everyday lifeObserving the Biotics in everyday life

Your body operates according to Your body operates according to themthem

Your body operates according to Your body operates according to themthem

You have applied them in the You have applied them in the church to some degree even if church to some degree even if you have called them by other you have called them by other

namesnames

You have applied them in the You have applied them in the church to some degree even if church to some degree even if you have called them by other you have called them by other

namesnames12

Tools

Any decision in one area of church life will impact, for good or ill, others in the

long term - No ministry is an island

Any decision in one area of church life will impact, for good or ill, others in the

long term - No ministry is an island

InterdependenceInterdependence

Every decision is having long term growth benefits for every part of church

life it impacts

Every decision is having long term growth benefits for every part of church

life it impacts

Concept

•Connect people and ministries•Connect people and ministriesApplicatio

n

‘All by itself’ growth result

•Assess likely impacts•Assess likely impacts

13


The African Elephant Reserve

The African Elephant Reserve

Taking different medications

Taking different medications

The guest evangelistThe guest evangelist

Nature

The World

The Church

14

For sustainable healthy growth, like must produce like

For sustainable healthy growth, like must produce like


•Reproduce for ongoing life•Reproduce for ongoing life

Every disciple, ministry, program, activity and group is reproducing

itself

Every disciple, ministry, program, activity and group is reproducing

itself

•…at every level of church life•…at every level of church life

Concept

Application


15


Reproduction of treesReproduction of trees

Cell reproductionCell reproduction

Disciples making disciples making disciples

Disciples making disciples making disciplesSmall group multiplicationSmall group multiplication

Nature

The Church

16

All energy in the church is directed towards generating healthy growthAll energy in the church is directed towards generating healthy growth


•Identify all energy•Identify all energy

The church is focusing all available energy and resources effectively on

generating healthy growth

The church is focusing all available energy and resources effectively on

generating healthy growth

•Harness that energy•Harness that energy•Direct the energy for growth•Direct the energy for growth

Concept

Application


17


Redirecting resistance towards growth

Redirecting resistance towards growthJesus at the Last SupperJesus at the Last Supper

SurfingSurfing

MetabolismMetabolismNature

The World

The Church

18

Energy invested ensures ministries, programs and groups become

self-sustaining

Energy invested ensures ministries, programs and groups become

self-sustaining


•Produce resources with multiple uses

•Produce resources with multiple uses

Every part of church life is progressively developing its own

resources and becoming self-sufficient

Every part of church life is progressively developing its own

resources and becoming self-sufficient

•Promote resource independence•Promote resource independence

Concept

Application


19


Nutrients Leaves Nutrients

Nutrients Leaves Nutrients

Discipler Disciple Discipler

Discipler Disciple DisciplerCounselingCounseling

Nature

The Church

20

Fostering win-win relationships formutual benefit

Fostering win-win relationships formutual benefit

SymbiosisSymbiosis

•Encourage diversity•Encourage diversity

Diverse ministries and individuals are actively working together for

mutual benefit and overall healthy church growth

Diverse ministries and individuals are actively working together for

mutual benefit and overall healthy church growth

•Generate active cooperation•Generate active cooperation

Concept

Application


21

SymbiosisSymbiosis

Food courtsFood courts

Complementary gifts & ministries

Complementary gifts & ministries

Old tree LichenOld tree LichenNature

The World

The Church

22

The quality is measured by examining the fruit

The quality is measured by examining the fruit


•Know each ministry’s purpose•Know each ministry’s purpose

Every area of church life is consistently contributing to the

healthy growth of the church in a tangible way

Every area of church life is consistently contributing to the

healthy growth of the church in a tangible way

•Set measurable growth outcomes•Set measurable growth outcomes

Concept

Application


23

•Review regularly•Review regularly


PruningPruning

Refocusing or ending a programRefocusing or ending a programBypass

‘Partnering with God’

Nature

The Church

Shedding of branchesShedding of branches

24

27

Back to Main Menu

Partnering with God in growing a healthy churchPartnering with God in growing a healthy church



Mark 4:26-28



Mark 4:26-28

all by itselfall by itself


28


We have a part to

play

God has a

part to play

all by itself

growth

all by itself

growth

Applying the Biotic Principlesto the Quality Characteristics

Applying the Biotic Principlesto the Quality Characteristics

Our part

29

A potted plantA potted plant

30

Interaction promotes ‘all by itself’

growthInteraction promotes ‘all by itself’

growth

organizational pole

organic pole

stimulates

stimulates

producesproduces

Only God can do

Only God can do

We can influenceWe can

influence

Bipolar

Bipolar

OrganismOrganism

A potted plantA potted plant

31

OrganismOrganism

organizational pole

organic pole

stimulates

stimulates

producesproduces

The human bodyThe human body

Bipolar

Bipolar

33

OrganismOrganism

producesproduces

stimulates

stimulates

produces

stimulates

organizational pole

organic pole

Remove the organizational poleRemove the organizational pole

Cancer

Cancer


Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

34

OrganismOrganism

organizational pole

stimulates

stimulates

producesproducesproduces

stimulates

organic pole

Remove the organic poleRemove the organic pole

RobotRobot


Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

35

OrganismOrganism

organizational pole

organic pole

stimulates

stimulates

producesproduces

The churchThe church

Bipolar

Bipolar

37

OrganismOrganism

stimulates

stimulates


stimulates

organizational pole

organic pole

If the role of the organizational pole is ignored

If the role of the organizational pole is ignored


Bipolar

Bipolar

“It’s all up to God!”

mentality


mentality

SpiritualisticSpiritualistic

Bipolar

Bipolar

38

OrganismOrganism

organizational pole

stimulates

stimulates


stimulates

organic pole

If the role of the organic pole is ignoredIf the role of the organic pole is ignored


Bipolar

Bipolar

“That’s just the way we

do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality

InstitutionalisticInstitutionalistic

Bipolar

Bipolar

39

Bipolar

Bipolar

OrganismOrganism

stimulates

stimulates

producesproduces

organizational pole

organic pole

Many churches are a hybrid mix of these 2 positions

Many churches are a hybrid mix of these 2 positions



do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality



mentality


mentality


40

Bipolar

Bipolar

OrganismOrganism

stimulates

stimulates

stimulates


organizational pole

organic pole

The remedy for both positions is the bipolar position





do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality

SpiritualisticSpiritualisticSpiritualistic


mentality


mentality

41


do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality


Bipolar

Bipolar


mentality


mentality



mentality


mentality


OrganismOrganism

stimulates

stimulates

stimulates


organizational pole

organic pole




42

Only God can do

Only God can do


influence

Bipolar

Bipolar

OrganismOrganism

stimulates

stimulates

producesproduces

organizational pole

organic pole

Biotics progressively bring the organizational pole into harmony with the organic pole…

Biotics progressively bring the organizational pole into harmony with the organic pole…


43

Bipolar

Bipolar

OrganismOrganism

stimulates

stimulates

producesproduces

organizational pole

organic pole

…removing barriers to healthy ‘all by itself’ growth

…removing barriers to healthy ‘all by itself’ growth


Only God can do

Only God can do


influence

44

OrganismOrganism

strongstrongstrongstrong

organizational pole

organizational pole

organic poleorganic pole

poor stimulatio

n

poor stimulatio

n

minimal results

produced

minimal results

produced


do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality


mentality


mentality

Poor Function

al Structure

s

Poor Function

al Structure

s

Chaotic Structure

s

Chaotic Structure

s

Rigid Structure

s

Rigid Structure

s

For example-For example-

When the organizational pole of a church is minimally influenced by Biotic Principles…

When the organizational pole of a church is minimally influenced by Biotic Principles…


46

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar


OrganismOrganism

When the organizational pole is influenced to a greater extent by Biotic Principles…When the organizational pole is influenced to a greater extent by Biotic Principles…

improved stimulatio

n

improved stimulatio

n

increasing results

produced

increasing results

produced

weakerweakerweakerweaker

Improved Function

al Structure

s

Improved Function

al Structure

s“It’s all up to God!”

mentality


mentality

Chaotic Structur

es

Chaotic Structur

es


do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality

Rigid Structur

es

Rigid Structur

es

organizational pole

organizational pole

47

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

Bipolar

OrganismOrganism

healthy stimulatio

n

healthy stimulatio

n

significant results

produced

significant results

produced


very weakvery weak

very weakvery weak

When the organizational pole is strongly influenced by Biotic Principles…When the organizational pole is strongly influenced by Biotic Principles…

organizational pole

organizational pole

Healthy Function

al Structure

s

Healthy Function

al Structure

s“It’s all up to God!”

mentality


mentality

Chaotic Structur

es

Chaotic Structur

es


do it!”mentality


do it!”mentality

Rigid Structur

es

Rigid Structur

es

organic pole

48

Our part in growing a healthy ChurchOur part in growing a healthy Church

the church as an organism which you help to grow - not just an organization

you build

the church as an organism which you help to grow - not just an organization

you build

Know

the Biotic Principles consistently and continuously to the

Quality Characteristics until they operate ‘automatically’ in the life of

the church

the Biotic Principles consistently and continuously to the

Quality Characteristics until they operate ‘automatically’ in the life of

the church

Apply

a healthy church producing lasting ‘all by itself’

growth

a healthy church producing lasting ‘all by itself’

growth

Become

49

Getting PracticalGetting

Practical

Back to Main Menu 52

made according

to Biotic Principles

promote healthy

resulting in

the most effective use of

made according


promote healthy

resulting in

the most effective use ofResources

‘all by itself’ growth

Decisions & ResourcesDecisions & Resources

Decisions

Biotic Decisio

n


Resources

53

Negative resources

Conflict energyResistance to

changeCriticism

Ideas from ‘left field’

HardshipsOutside influences

Anyone or anything capable of contributing to the growth of the

church

Anyone or anything capable of contributing to the growth of the

church

Positive resources

PrayerLife experienceSpiritual Gifts

Encouragement Ministries

GroupsEvents

Material resources

What do we mean by ? What do we mean by ?

Resources

Examples-

Examples-

54



‘all by itself’

growth

‘all by itself’

growth

Decisions using Biotic PrinciplesDecisions using Biotic Principles

Decisions without Biotic PrinciplesDecisions without Biotic Principles

Biotic decision makingBiotic decision making

Resources

Resources

55

Applying the Biotic Principles addresses two complementary issues:

Applying the Biotic Principles addresses two complementary issues:

Applying Biotic Principles Applying Biotic Principles

•Learning to make better and

better

using the Biotic

Principles

•Learning to make better and

better

using the Biotic

Principles

Decisions

•Allocating

more and more

effectively

•Allocating

more and more

effectively

Resources

57

Scenario:Scenario:

Example ScenarioExample Scenario

Minimum Factor:Minimum Factor:

A person comes to the church leadership with a good idea for an outreach ministry.Evangelistic activity is needed.The leadership is faced with two key issues:

•What will be required?

Resources

•What have to be made about getting this ministry going?

Decisions

EmpoweringEmpowering

Leadership

Leadership

58

A Common Response:A Common Response:


The leadership makes the following decisions:•The ministry is or a

good ideaneededneeded

•The proposal isbecause someone is volunteering and it fits within the overall vision of the church

probably from the Lordprobably from the Lord

•The person will be to-•start the ministry•recruit people to it•spend any finances allocated to them

delegated authoritydelegated authority

Minimum Factor:Minimum Factor: Empowering

LeadershipEmpowering Leadership

59


•The person will be to-•keep to the proposal submitted•report back on progress•avoid upsetting anyone else•hold to their budget

requested

requested

•The to-•pray for the ministry•support it with some agreed upon finances•encourage others to support it

leadership itself will commit

leadership itself will commit

The leadership makes the following decisions:



A Common Response:A Common Response:

60

The Question:The Question:


Interdependence

Multiplication

E. Transformation

Multi-usage

Symbiosis

Functionality

How do you tell if this response is truly Leadership

which will promotehealthy growth?

Empowering

Empowering

‘all by itself’‘all by itself’



61

Sample Test Questions:Sample Test Questions:


•What impact will launching this ministry have on other ministries in the church?

End


•Will that impact be a good one over the long term for every ministry it impacts?How?

Guide Questio

ns

Decision

Diagram

Multiplication

E. Transformation

Multi-usage

Symbiosis

Functionality



62


•How will this ministry reproduce itself?

For example-•What plans are in place for it to raise up new leadership?

•How will “disciple-making” disciples be made?


Guide Questio

ns

Decision

Diagram

End

Interdependence

E. Transformation

Multi-usage

Symbiosis

Functionality




63


•What ‘energy’ (positive and negative) will be generated by this ministry?


•How will that energy be harnessed?

Guide Questio

ns

Decision

Diagram

End

Interdependence

Multiplication

Multi-usage

Symbiosis

Functionality




64


•What additional uses can there be for the resources utilized for this ministry?


•How will this ministry develop enough of its own resources that it ultimately doesn’t need external resourcing?

Guide Questio

ns

Decision

Diagram

End

Interdependence

Multiplication

E. Transformation

Symbiosis

Functionality




65


•What other ministries would benefit from working with this ministry,and vice versa?How?

SymbiosisSymbiosis

•How will working together be actively encouraged?

Guide Questio

ns

Decision

Diagram

End

Interdependence

Multiplication

E. Transformation

Multi-usage Functionality




66


•Who will be ultimately responsible for this ministry achieving these goals in a tangible way?

FunctionalityFunctionality•What measurable growth outcomes/goals have been agreed on along with dates for review?

Guide Questio

ns

Decision

Diagram

End

Interdependence

Multiplication

E. Transformation

Multi-usage

Symbiosis




67

What does all this amount to?What does all this amount to?


This ministry will contribute to the church achieving healthy

growth because-‘all by itself’‘all by itself’•Impacting positively on all

areas•Impacting positively on all areas(Interdependence)•Growing and reproducing itself•Growing and reproducing itself(Multiplication)•Using all energy effectively to achieve its goals•Using all energy effectively to achieve its goals(Energy Transformation)•Becoming increasingly self sufficient•Becoming increasingly self sufficient(Multi-usage)•Partnering with other ministries for mutual growth•Partnering with other ministries for mutual growth(Symbiosis)•Fulfilling its purpose and being held accountable•Fulfilling its purpose and being held accountable(Functionality)



69

Summary: Decisions & ResourcesSummary: Decisions & Resources

made according


promote healthy

resulting in


made according


promote healthy

resulting in


Decisions

Resources


Biotic Decisio

n


Resources

70

Explanation

Examples

Guide Question

s

Decision Diagrams

Functionality

Functionality

Symbiosis

Symbiosis


ToolsTools

Interdependence

Interdependence

Multiplication

Multiplication

Energy Transformation

Energy Transformation

Back to

Main Menu 73

Back to Introducing

Biotic Principles

Produced by Ian Campbell Direction Ministry Resources Ass Inc NCD National Partner (South Pacific) & Adam Johnstone NCD Coordinator The Salvation Army.

Documents

leadership biotic principles

kingdom of god

natural principles

tools slide

casts seed

area of church life

leadership example

everyday life