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

Effective Structures

  • Ask a church leader you respect to suggest how your current contribution to your church could be made "more fruitful".
  • Clearly determine and communicate when your leadership will meet to further discuss your NCD process and ask each other questions about their personal growth cycles.
  • Consider establishing smaller sub-teams for planning church life based around the overarching NCD areas of Fellowship, Service and Faith (see the NCD Summary Guide). Encourage regular feedback from those groups to the core leadership and the congregation.
  • Consider whether your church program is too full to allow the leaders to meet regularly with enough time to adequately reflect on the past and plan for the future of your church. Consider whether this quality versus quantity of ministry balance needs addressing.
  • Encourage one or more of the people in your small group or area of ministry to take one of the NCD Discipleship Tests most associated with their area of ministry or current stage of growth. 3colorworld.org/etests
  • Establish exact dates (no more than 6 months away) for reviewing the current ministry of every person under your leadership to help them grow in the role, find a more suitable ministry, or take a break if needed.
  • Find one area of church or small group life where communication is poor and work with the leadership to improve it.
  • Find a way to keep your leaders and volunteers up to date about conferences and training opportunities organised by your church or by other groups.
  • Use the NCD Stewardship Test process to help your team or group to more effectively use their available time, treasure, and talent. 3colorsofstewardship.life