NCD-Natural Church Development

Natural Church Development is all about releasing the potential that God has already implanted in our lives. Based on research in more than 40,000 churches on all six continents, NCD describes universal principles that are applicable regardless of culture or spiritual style.

First

NCD focuses on increasing the quality of a church rather than on numerical growth goals. This emphasis on church health has proven to be the key to ongoing growth and multiplication.

Second

The center of NCD is the all by itself principle that can be observed in healthy churches around the globe. All NCD principles are answers to questions: How can this God-given growth potential be released?

Third

On all levels of church life, NCD encourages creativity, authenticity, and diversity. Rather than selling a specific church model, NCD helps Christians and churches to discover and develop their individuality.

Fourth

NCD assists believers in rediscovering central Biblical concepts and relating them to their everyday lives. Only those success factors that pass the "Bible check" are incorporated into the NCD tools.

Fifth

It works. Churches that have done three or more NCD Surveys, have increased their average growth rate by 51% between the first and the third survey. We plant, we water. God gives the increase.

What is the NCD Survey?

The NCD survey measures the health of a local church. Based on the research of the Institute for Natural Church Development in 40,000 churches, it helps a church identify areas of strength and weakness. On the basis of this, a growth plan is developed that focuses on the so-called "minimum factor."

How does the NCD Survey work?

The exact procedure is explained in the book Implementation Buide to NCD. 30 church members (plus the pastor) fill in a questionnaire provided by the NCD Consultant. In the analysis, the computer compares the answers of the local church with all of the 168 million answers that have been gathered so far, and determines the quality of the church in eight key areas of ministry.

Who can do the NCD Survey?

Any church that wishes to analyze its present situation in order to work on its health. There is no precondition that the church has to fulfill, i.e. the Survey works in churches of all sizes, cultures, and spiritual traditions.

How can I get the NCD Survey for my church?

Just contact the Synod of the Heartland office. They will provide you with all the necessary information.