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

Q91

  • Consider establishing smaller sub-teams for planning church life based around the overarching NCD areas of Fellowship, Service and Faith (see the NCD Summary Guide). Encourage regular feedback from those groups to the core leadership and the congregation.
  • Decide with your small group on a date (no more than 3 months away) at which your group will officially cease and every member must review their small group involvement in light of their personal growth needs. The group will then only restart if the leader to that point or another member has the energy and vision to keep going with it.
  • Draw an organisation chart of your church showing how you think things work (who makes decisions, who reports to whom, roles and responsibilities, communication channels, etc) and ask a key leader to comment on your observations.
  • Establish exact dates (no more than 6 months away) for reviewing the current ministry of every person under your leadership to help them grow in the role, find a more suitable ministry, or take a break if needed.
  • Find one area of church or small group life where communication is poor and work with the leadership to improve it.
  • Ask a key leader in your church how much meeting time the leadership spends on planning for the future growth of the church and what resources they draw upon to do so.
  • Ask a leader in your church to tell you how they see your contribution fitting into the overall direction of church life.
  • Use the NCD Stewardship Test process to help your team or group to more effectively use their available time, treasure, and talent. 3colorsofstewardship.life