One of the eight
systems for leading a missional church is a church health system. This
system measures not only the quantitative growth of a church but also
the qualitative health of a local church. The quantitative growth
is build around key numbers and there percentages.
- New visitor ratio: How many new visitors
do you need in an average month to grow your church?
- Baptism Ratio: What is the a healthy
percentage between average worship attendance and number of baptisms
annually?
- Giving Ratio: What
is the healthy dollar amount given per person on a average Sunday?
- Serving Ratio: What is a healthy
percentage of average attenders and those engage in a ministry
- Small Group Ratio: What is a healthy
percentage of those attending on an average weekend and those engaged in
a small group?
- Membership
Ratio: What is a health percentage of those attending on an average
weekend and those who are committed members
- Leadership Ratio: How many new leaders are
added to your leadership community annually?
The qualitative health of a local church is measured through
the attitudes, feelings and perspectives towards people, programs and
the progress of the church. The Natural Church Development Survey is
one of the best ways to get to bottom of these issues in a productive
manner.
- Empowering
Leadership
- Gift-based Ministry
- Passionate Spirituality
- Effective Structures
- Holistic Small Groups
- Need-oriented Evangelism
- Loving Relationships
- Inspiring Worship Services
What does a church health rhythm cycle look like?
Phase 1- Prepare & Take Surveys (Sometime during the
months of May-June).
- First
timers to NCD
- Prepare
ideas and options
- Read
The ABC’s of Natural Church Development (which is a quick read on the
basics of NCD)
- Read NextSteps
for Leading a Missional Church. (which is a workbook that will help you
through the process)
- Attend a
NextSteps for Leading a Missional Church Seminar.
- Take surveys
- Fill out a one page quantitative survey provide
through Church Smart
- Do
a NCD Survey with 30 key leaders, staff and influencers in your church
- Read How to Take the Survey in One Hour or Less
- Past NCD Participants
- Prepare ideas and options
- Take surveys
- Fill out a one page quantitative survey
provided through Church Smart
- Do
a NCD Survey along with the Insights report with 30 key leaders, staff
and influencers in your church
- Read How to Take the
Survey in One Hour or Less
Phase
2 – Analyze Results (During the months of June-July)
Phase 3 – Develop Ministry Plan (During the months of
July-August)
Phase 4 – Kick off, implement and monitor (Kick off in
September and push hard to April)
Phase 5 – Evaluate with through surveys and repeat process
(During May – June)
All the research has reveal that establishing a church health rhythm
is critical for both the qualitative and quantitative growth of a
local church. Christian Schwarz researched over 50,000 churches and
has discovered that churches who repeated this cycle for three years
experience these four realities.
- Each
quality characteristic averaged a 6% increase.
- They have increased their worship attendance by
51%.
- Transfer growth decreased
and conversion growth increased.
- The
work-load of the pastor decreased because they learn how to delegate
and empower others.
What do you want your church to
look like in the next three years?
©2010 Gary Rohrmayer