Cycle Starter Plans

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Having understood your church a little better with the help of the NCD Church Survey, its now time to start cycling together towards a healthier church. You’ve chosen to start experimenting and learning more about the topic to the left. Now, select one of the cycle starter plans below and write number 1 in its box. Put this sheet on your wall, then, go do it!

Next time you are meeting with others who are also working through a topic, ask each other the questions from the cycle, starting at “do” and finishing at “plan”. After a cycle you may decide the most important thing to do now is to keep going with the same plan, modify it, or choose another option from below. If choosing another from below, just write 2 in its box and so on.

If you’d like more cycle starter options, or to work on another topic highlighted by your NCD Church Survey results, just visit ncdchurchsurvey.org/cycle-starters

"Breathing in"

  • Arrive early for the worship service ensuring you have time beforehand to relax and prepare yourself.
  • Download or buy a Bible reading plan and begin using it. Be sure to think about the time of day when you will be free and relaxed to do so. If necessary, limit another activity or ask for help to be freed up to make this possible. Share with someone what you are learning or have been reminded of from your readings.
  • Help your congregation understand that inspiring worship services depend upon every person bringing along their unique gift-based offering of worship to bless God and encourage the church. Help individuals to discover what their offering might be and how it could be expressed regularly before, during, or after the formal part of the service.
  • Invite a new Christian in your church (or one who has made a recent recommitment) to share their story of faith with the church. Allow them to present it in whatever form is most comfortable to them (e.g. spoken words, text, song, art, etc.).
  • Share a meal together as a small group encouraging each person to contribute (e.g. food, a song, a biblical reflection, etc.)
  • Share three things you need prayer for with three other people in your church or small group. Be specific. Keep them informed of progress, especially when the prayers are answered, and how.
  • Start a new small group with a specific focus on dealing with challenges that are experienced by the people invited to attend.
  • When you meet with people from your church, offer to pray for them before you finish your time together. This may be to do with a specific challenge they are facing or simply that God might abundantly bless them even more.