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

Vision

  • 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.
  • Read Ephesians 3:20. Pray the general prayer to God that He will do something in your life which is more than you could ask or imagine so that you are renewed in your service to Him.
  • Reflect on what Jesus' promised "Life in all its fullness" might look like in practical ways for one or two of your friends or relatives who do not yet know him. Be specific.
  • 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.
  • Think about parts of your life that you (and God might) find boring or unchallenging. Consider what kind of challenge you would need to undertake that would require you to rely more on God and work together more as a team.
  • Try to reword the goals of your church in a way that is relevant to you and makes you passionate about achieving them. Ask a friend in your church to do the same and compare notes.
  • 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.