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

Hope

  • Ask anyone you come across in your church or small group, who seems to have some longer-term tension with another person, to tell you one or more positive things about that person, then encourage them to communicate those to the other person in some way.
  • Bring to mind one of your friends or family members who does not seem to be growing closer to Jesus. Spend some time reflecting on how God might feel about them. Then, consider whether those thoughts are consistent with the love of a good father.
  • Consider what "messages" your church leaders send about their belief in your church's future and speak to them about your observations in an encouraging way.
  • Consider whether a lack of new Christians in your church may be connected with a loss of the joy and hope of salvation among the existing Christians in your church. Share with someone what that may mean for you personally.
  • If you have a gifted evangelist in your church, ask them to explain why and how they pray for and share the Gospel with others. Consider inviting them to also speak to your small group about the topic.
  • If you have relationship difficulties with anyone in your church, find a neutral party to help you repair the relationship, and persist until it is.
  • Make a list of ten reasons for celebration from your life this week (eg. from your work, church, ministry, family and friendships, the Bible,etc.) and share some of these with at least three people in your church.
  • Think of two people who are contributing enthusiastically to your church. Ask them why they are enthusiastic and why they invest the time they do.