Note: this is the second growth area identified for the Prince of Peace Natural Development process.
Passionate Spirituality: This is the way members actively live out their faith and commitment, with fire and enthusiasm and share it with others.
Some questions to think about:
What are the marks of a person who is enthusiastic about our church?
How are church members integrating their faith into all areas of their life?
What are we doing to teach God's desires for our church's future?
In what ways do we see prayer empowering the ministries of our church?
How is our experience of God naturally reflected in our conversation with others?
How do we inform people of prayer needs?
If you have thoughts to share, use the "comments" feature to leave a message.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Growth Area: Inspiring Worship
Note: this is the first growth area identified for the Prince of Peace Natural Development process.
Inspiring Worship: This is not so much about the style of traditional vs contemporary, but rather about the experience. Worship gives people a genuine experience of the presence of God.
Some questions to think about:
Inspiring Worship: This is not so much about the style of traditional vs contemporary, but rather about the experience. Worship gives people a genuine experience of the presence of God.
Some questions to think about:
- What are the indicators to us that people who come to our worship services have the sense of connecting with God during that time?
- How are we assessing the inspirational impact of our services?
- How have we helped church members become aware of newcomers and visitors?
- How do we encourage or invite new people to do more than come for the worship service?
- What are the indicators to us that people look forward to coming to church?
- In what ways are the sermons practical and helpful in living everyday life?
- What interactive opportunities are given for people to respond to the sermon?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sign Up for a Cottage Meeting
As part of the NCD process, the NCD task force would like to invite you to attend a cottage meeting.
We will review two of the quality characteristics that have been identified as areas of growth for Prince of Peace.
Your input is valuable to assist the council and staff in determining priorities for the missional objectives in 2008-2009.
You can sign up online.
We will review two of the quality characteristics that have been identified as areas of growth for Prince of Peace.
Your input is valuable to assist the council and staff in determining priorities for the missional objectives in 2008-2009.
You can sign up online.
Natural Church Development Background
In May 2006, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church adopted a Vision for Mission that included a five year strategic plan. While we have made significant progress in implementing many of the missional objectives, it is clear there is work yet to be done.
The church council decided to utilize an assessment tool provided by the Grand Canyon Synod and the ELCA called Natural Church Development. NCD was developed through a research project involving thousands of congregations in 32 countries to determine the causes of growth. As a result of this research project, 8 quality characteristics of growing churches were identified:
This past fall a survey of 30 active members was taken to determine how well our congregation was doing in these areas. The results of this evaluation were intended to reveal the one or two characteristics that could be considered growth areas which would assist the council in determining priorities for setting our missional objectives in 2008-2009.
The survey results indicated four strengths of our Prince of Peace Community. Among the highest scores were: 1) Empowering Leadership, 2) Effective Structures, 3) Loving Relationships, and 4) Gifted-based Ministry. It certainly reflects the significant and positive climate changes in our ministry over the last two years.
The growth areas are, 1) Passionate Spirituality and 2) Inspiring Worship. These will be described in future posts
The church council decided to utilize an assessment tool provided by the Grand Canyon Synod and the ELCA called Natural Church Development. NCD was developed through a research project involving thousands of congregations in 32 countries to determine the causes of growth. As a result of this research project, 8 quality characteristics of growing churches were identified:
- empowering worship
- gift-based ministry
- passionate spirituality
- effective structures
- inspiring worship
- holistic small groups
- need-oriented evangelism and
- loving relationships.
This past fall a survey of 30 active members was taken to determine how well our congregation was doing in these areas. The results of this evaluation were intended to reveal the one or two characteristics that could be considered growth areas which would assist the council in determining priorities for setting our missional objectives in 2008-2009.
The survey results indicated four strengths of our Prince of Peace Community. Among the highest scores were: 1) Empowering Leadership, 2) Effective Structures, 3) Loving Relationships, and 4) Gifted-based Ministry. It certainly reflects the significant and positive climate changes in our ministry over the last two years.
The growth areas are, 1) Passionate Spirituality and 2) Inspiring Worship. These will be described in future posts
How to Use this Blog
This blog will be used to share information and gather feedback on the Natural Church Development process. You can participate in two ways.
- Comment. You can provide feedback by using the comment feature of the blog. Click on the title of any post, and at the bottom you will see existing comments, and the ability to add a comment. You can post an anonymous comment, or identify yourself.
- Contribute. You can sign up for a free Google account and become a contributor to this blog. If you are interested use this feedback form, and make sure to provide your email address so we can contact you.
Welcome
Welcome to the Natural Church Development (NCD) blog for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
NCD measures a congregation in eight areas that affect the life, effectiveness, and growth of congregations. Through an instrument called the NCD survey, a congregation measures itself in relationship with other congregations in the United States.
Prince of Peace has recently completed the survey, and this blog will be used to share news and invite discussion about our NCD journey.
NCD measures a congregation in eight areas that affect the life, effectiveness, and growth of congregations. Through an instrument called the NCD survey, a congregation measures itself in relationship with other congregations in the United States.
Prince of Peace has recently completed the survey, and this blog will be used to share news and invite discussion about our NCD journey.
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