Cycle Starter Plans

View all

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

God-consciousness

  • Analyze how much of what you sing in church actually focuses your attention on God, teaching or reminding you about His nature and purposes.
  • If you see a spiritual gift being used by someone who doesn't appear to know they have it, talk to them about how you see God working through that gift.
  • In plain language, tell God in the morning what you are planning to do that day, what you are excited about or what is concerning you. Then ask for some help. At the end of the day, tell God how your day went and what, if anything, surprised you or upset you.
  • 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.
  • Record stories you hear in your church about people experiencing God in their lives. Consider only those stories you hear first hand. If in doubt, check the details with the person.
  • Reflect on challenging circumstances you face in daily life or ministry. If you rarely speak, even briefly, to God about those challenges, consider what image of God (and yourself) you may have. If you don't face significant challenges, consider what if any implications that has for your prayer life.