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

"Opening the front door"

  • Ask three people in your area of ministry to share with you the story of one or more of their friends or family who do not yet know Jesus Christ. Offer to pray with them for that person. Then, consider what if any help you could be in seeing those people come to Christ.
  • Ask your congregation/small group/team/family/friends what they personally brought to worship this week in order to bless God and encourage the church.
  • 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.
  • Organise refreshments for after your worship service making sure it is a welcoming and relaxed environment for newcomers.
  • Physically step through the process of arriving near your church and making your way to a seat in the worship service from the perspective of someone who has never attended before. How could you make your service easier to find or more welcoming?
  • Speak with at least one person you do not normally speak to at the worship service this week.
  • 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.
  • Write down the names of three friends or relatives, then write down three needs for each. Make time to offer a short prayer for each person every day based on those needs.