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

Q36

  • Consider how effective your church is in caring for the needy who are already a part of your congregation.
  • Discuss with your small group whether it is easier to send help to care for people in far away places than it is to cross the street to help a needy neighbour.
  • Gather a group together in your church to map the needs of the surrounding community. Share your findings with others in the church, including the leadership.
  • Identify those in your church who are active in helping those in need (food, clothing, education, counsel, etc.). Work out how what they are doing could be more integrated with the other ministries of your church so that those in need could be helped further along their journey to life in all its fullness.
  • Invite some people from your church that you don't know very well into your home or out somewhere for a meal.
  • List all the activities going on in your church and approximate what percentage of time, energy and resources goes to reaching non-believers for Christ. Ask a key leader to comment on your observations.
  • Spend time somewhere in your church's local community where disadvantaged people gather (e.g. unemployment office, courthouse, welfare store, etc.) and ask God to show you how your or your church's gifts may connect with the needs you see.
  • Use the NCD Stewardship Test process to help your team or group to more effectively use their available time, treasure, and talent. 3colorsofstewardship.life