Critics of the church growth movement have often emphasized the need for quality congregations. We should not focus on numerical growth, but rather, we should concentrate on qualitative growth. Christian Schwarz has done extensive research world-wide and found that healthy, growing churches seem to share eight quality characteristics. These characteristics are: – Empowering leadership – […]
This 85 page paper describes the theoretical background and the scientific development of the NCD survey.
Paradigm Shift in the Church speaks about nothing less than a reformation. Some critics suggested that this term sounds rather lofty. That may be true. But Christian Schwarz is convinced that we will make no significant progress in our churches without changes as radical as those of the Reformation. In the Introduction to this book […]
Releasing Your Church’s Potential guides you through the process of designing and implementing change in your personal life, ministry and church. Anchored to the eight essential qualities of Natural Church Development, this resource kit contains ten audio cd’s, prayer guides, outlines, reflection questions, action checklists and worksheets to increase your church’s health. Topics include: Developing Authentic […]
This tool helps people see how they work with others on a team or in a group. You will identify your primary style when working with others and understand the strengths and liabilities of various styles.
The 3 Colors of Community presents an altogether new way of approaching small groups. Rather than being preoccupied with the technical aspects of small group ministry, this book focuses on the qualities that are fundamental for any sort of Christian community, be it a family, a prayer meeting, a Bible study group, a task force, […]
The 3 Colors of Leadership presents an exciting new way of looking at leadership. Whether you are an established leader in a high-profile position or an emerging leader who is still unsure whether God wants you to take over more leadership responsibility, the training described in this book will empower you in such a way […]
The Natural Church Development process involves assessing and strengthening eight Quality Characteristics in the local church. NCD International is developing eight Discipleship Resource books, one to address each of these areas. Two of these books are currently available–this one which corresponds to the Quality Characteristic of Loving Relationships and another which which corresponds to the […]
The 3 Colors of Ministry presents a holistic approach to identifying and developing your spiritual gifts. It is based on the three dimensions of God’s character for which Christian Schwarz has chosen the colors green, red, and blue. In addition to emphasizing the critical importance of using your gifts in an authentically trinitarian way, this […]
This booklet is designed to introduce a congregation or any interested persons to Natural Church Development in just 20 minutes. It covers the research project, the eight quality characteristics and the minimum factor barrel illustration in a quick and simple format that makes the reader feel as if they were talking with the author over […]