Natural Church Development

Natural Church Development is one tool we have used to increase the health of our church.. Christian Schwartz, author of the book, Natural Church Development, has studied 43,000 churches in 70 countries and 6 continents and he has identified eight qualities that healthy growing churches have in common.  He calls them quality characteristics, like “empowering leadership,” “gift-oriented ministry, “passionate spirituality,” and loving relationships.”  These characteristics are very closely tied to Biblical foundations. 

 

We have done three surveys, assessing changes in our church over the last four years.  After the second survey a Church Team Health Report was developed.  The results of the most recent survey shows a significant progress in the quality level of the church, with an overall average increase from 52 to 65.  There was an increase in all eight areas.  Passionate Spirituality (where we made our most progress) continues to be our area for focus.