Why NCD?

Like a thirsty tree that just needs some water, what is the one thing your church needs right now to bring about greater fruitfulness?

NCD started and continues as the largest biblical and empirical research project into the principles of healthy church growth in the world. It is about the non-negotiables of church development when all else is stripped away. It aims to put a stop to the toiling and spinning that so often pervades church life and replace it with unforced healthy growth based on the lessons we can learn if we take the time to ‘see how the flowers of the field grow'.

The NCD Survey for local churches draws upon the research and implementation learnings from over 75,000 churches in 86 countries. In so doing, it is able to lighten and simplify your ministry workload by showing you exactly where your time, treasure and talent would be best spent right now for maximum fruitfulness. For example, it will show you which of the following essentials of church life currently come most naturally to your church, and which do not...

  • Empowering leadership
  • Gift-based ministry
  • Passionate spirituality
  • Effective structures
  • Inspiring worship service
  • Holistic small groups
  • Need-oriented evangelism
  • Loving relationships

Rather than conforming your church to a particular model, NCD's principle-based approach brings out the unique identity and purpose of your church so it can be all that God intends it to be. Just like a beautiful healthy forest, a healthy church is unique and rich in fruitful diversity.

Aside from the results experienced by churches who have taken seriously the principles uncovered through NCD, one of the strongest and most unusual affirmations of the process is seen in the number of churches who return to the process after some years, often acknowledging they didn't take their results seriously enough the first time. The most common reason mentioned for returning is that NCD is still saying the same things it did years ago. That is, it is genuinely based upon universal principles that, if ignored, will lead only to frustration. But if embraced, will lead to the transformation of your community, sooner than you expect. For those churches, the guiding principles of NCD are some of the few stable, reliable and consistent parts of church life in a changing ministry world.

Obtain the Natural Church Development book in paperback (volume discounts apply) or immediately as an eBook.

Natural Church Development

Or, The All By Itself Pathway NCD introductory booklet in paperback (volume discounts apply) or immediately as an eBook.

The All By Itself Pathway

Learn more about the process of NCD

Guiding churches to healthy growth for over 20 years

NCD... we're just getting started

Find out more

Please enter your details below and one of our support team members will get back to you within 48 hours.
Please enter your email address so that we can respond to your enquiry (your email address will not be used for any other purpose).
Optional (your phone number will not be used for any other purpose).
If you were to take the NCD Church Survey, in which language would your congregation be most comfortable completing it?
Feel free to tell us something about your current context, your church or your ministry that might help us best know how to serve you.