How can we serve you?
Find out more...
Coach Certification Events
REGISTER HERE! or
Find out more
- Mar 10-12, 2009: Tampa Bay area
- May 19-21, 2009: Chicago area
- Jul 14-16, 2009:
Los Angeles area - Aug 11-13, 2009:
Baltimore area - Oct 13-15, 2009:
Los Angeles area
From Followers To Leaders
Path Applications
Would you like to learn how to apply the concept of the path to a wide variety of ministry initiatives?
Member Login
CoachNet Blog
Join the conversation!
New posts every Monday!
CoachNet empowers people to develop and multiply healthy leaders, networks and churches.
NCD Quick Start
NCD in five steps | Prepare | Diagnose | Plan | Implement | Evaluate | Take the NCD CoachNet journey | NCD success story
Welcome to the trailhead of a journey called Natural Church Development.
What is NCD?
Natural Church Development (NCD) is a "label for an approach to the Christian life - both on an individual and corporate level," according to author and researcher Christian A. Schwarz. It combines biblical principles with insights from the most extensive church health and growth research ever done. As of 2007, more than 45,000 churches have participated in NCD on one level or another.
| There are three directions you can go to learn about how NCD can lead to greater health in your church. 1) Read through this page and click through links at the bottom to access more info, 2) Take the NCD CoachNet Journey, an interactive presentation or 3) CoachNet members can access resources through our NCD Network after typing in a username and password. If you are not a CoachNet member, and would like to access these resources, click here. |
Natural Church Development is about improving the spiritual health of individuals and churches. Based on an international study of 1,000 churches in 32 countries, NCD research was first published in 1996. The sample reached a wide variety of churches, across a number of denominations and theological perspectives.
Eight Quality Characteristics
The goal of this extensive research project was to discover principles of church growth that are universally valid across cultures. The research findings confirmed eight quality characteristics of healthy, growing churches:
- Empowering leadership
- Gift-based ministry
- Passionate spirituality
- Inspiring worship
- Effective structures
- Need-oriented evangelism
- Holistic small groups
- Loving relationships
NCD In Five StepsSign up now
Sign up for a CoachNet membership now to gain access to an NCD Network, more than 30 PDFs, PowerPoints and other resources.
