Implementation Guide to Natural Church Development

Implementation Guide to Natural Church Development, Christian A. Schwarz and Christoph Schalk, Church Smart Resources, St Charles IL, 1998. ISBN: 1-889638-03-X. This workbook contains numerous worksheets and checklists related to the eight quality characteristics discussed in Natural Church Development and is based on the most comprehensive research project ever conducted on the causes of church health and growth. More than 1000 churches in 32 countries on all 5 continents took part in this study. A total of 4.2 million responses were analyzed. The result is an approach to church growth that won't be found in any text-books on the subject. Instead of trying to 'produce' the church of Jesus Christ with human efforts, Natural Church Development focuses on unlocking the potential that God has already put into every church.

Resource Categories

• Discipleship development
  • Getting to know Jesus
  • Getting to know Christianity
  • Discipleship instruction
  • Spiritual Formation
• Evangelism
  • Articulating our faith
  • Sharing our witness
  • Community of Christ missionary resources
• Starting new groups/congregations
• Congregational leadership
• Worship
• Christian education
• Children and Youth Ministry
• Bridging ministry (outreach to people who have become separated from the church)
• Hospitality Ministry
• Community/Neighborhood Involvement
• Internet ministry
• Skills acquisition
• Natural Church Development
• International Christianity