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

Learning

  • Assist the church leadership to grow a resource library for current and potential small group leaders. Especially focus on resources that may relate to your church's current minimum factor themes and issues.
  • Consider ways of getting the volunteers in your church involved in your NCD process so they can work through the minimum factor themes at a personal, practical level (see the Strategy Guide for ideas).
  • Consider what can be done through a sermon that cannot be done equally well or better through another forum of church life.
  • Develop a concise presentation that helps those in your church to choose from the main different types of Bible translations and paraphrases available depending on their need.
  • 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.
  • Encourage the key leaders in your church to take turns in meeting up with other church leadership teams to observe what they do and to gain fresh perspectives.
  • In your small group, debate the topic: "If a church is to keep growing, all its people must keep growing." Whether you agree or disagree, be prepared to argue the minority view to draw out responses.
  • Find a way to keep your leaders and volunteers up to date about conferences and training opportunities organised by your church or by other groups.