2014-09-07 Jeff England Sermon Growing a Healthy Church

 GROWING A HEALTHY CHURCH Where are we going as a church? Answer: 1. A healthy church grows by the “________________” principle. Mark 4:26-29 What can and should we do? _______ the seed , ___________ the plants, Sleep, Get up What can we not do? Bring forth the ___________ . Grain _______ “all by itself” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 A healthy church allows God to grow the church “all by itself” 2. A healthy church adopts growth ______________ not ___________. One size fits all model does not work for sustained church growth. Willow Creek’s Church Model Principles transcend ________ and the latest fads. Principles apply to _____ churches everywhere and every _______ . A healthy church utilizes principles to release its growth potential. GROWING A HEALTHY CHURCH Where are we going as a church? Answer: 1. A healthy church grows by the “________________” principle. Mark 4:26-29 What can and should we do? _______ the seed , ___________ the plants, Sleep, Get up What can we not do? Bring forth the ___________ . Grain _______ “all by itself” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 A healthy church allows God to grow the church “all by itself” 2. A healthy church adopts growth ______________ not ___________. One size fits all model does not work for sustained church growth. Willow Creek’s Church Model Principles transcend ________ and the latest fads. Principles apply to _____ churches everywhere and every _______ . A healthy church utilizes principles to release its growth potential. 3. A healthy church focuses on _____________ not quantity. Acts 2:36-47 (qualitative growth vv. 42-47) To sustain growth Trinity must focus on quality (health) not quantity (numbers). “The qualitative health of a local church is measured through the attitudes, feelings and perspectives towards people, programs and the progress of the church. Natural Church Development is the best tool for uncovering these things.” - Gary Rohrmayer 4. Natural Church Development (NCD) NCD is a different way of thinking about growth. NCD views the church as a living organism not an organization. NCD is a long-term strategic process that improves church health. Survey (30 participants; 30 minutes) Once scored, the survey will determine the health of the church in (8) Quality Characteristics. 65% or higher indicates healthiness. Identify minimum factor (barrel). (8) Quality Characteristics EMPOWERING Leadership GIFT-BASED Ministry PASSIONATE Spirituality EFFECTIVE Structures INSPIRING Worship Services HOLISTIC Small Groups NEED-ORIENTED Evangelism LOVING Relationships