If you could know the truth about your church...

So we've just completed a church-wide survey to evaluate the strengths and shortcomings of our church. "If you could know the honest-to-God truth about your church, warts and all, would you want to know?" - that's a question that's haunted me for a few years, but we finally bit the bullet.

We brought-in an experienced consultant/pastor with Natural Church Development who told us about "the minimum barrel," where your church can only grow as large as the worst factor. In other words, something is always leaking in your church until you raise the levels.

Got the results yesterday, and they were surprising. Apparently, we rock at "empowering leadership" and we're a "loving community" filled with "holistic small groups." [By the way, our church's core values are 1. servant leadership, 2. welcoming environments, 3. disciple-making communities, and 4. bridges to the community.]

But our biggest weakness by far was "passionate spirituality." To be nakedly honest with you... I just haven't put prayer and spiritual disciplines as high as it should be on our priority list. I read Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire every year because I long for it... but haven't paid the toll in a rushed northern Virginia lifestyle to help our people experience it. That'll change this year.

Comments

[Scott Cheatham]

Ben,
That's cool. I just finished with Christian Schwarz's book myself and was intrigued by it's findings. You'll have to let me know how satisfied you are with it. I'm curious.

[Zak White]

Ben, I would love to see/utilize your resources for doing something like this. Can you help?

-Zak

[Zak White]

oh, P.S.

I am over the whole not being on your blogroll thing. I love you...

[Chris Genders]

Just started tracking you a couple of months ago. I've used the NCD survey at a previous church and was extremely satisfied with the results. It proved to be insightful in pointing out our minimum factors and helping in strategic planning. The key is implementing the changes necessary to raise your water level.

Lead on...

[Kevin Twombly]

we've used the NCD stuff a few times over the past 10 years and it has helped us tremendously. I'll be praying for you all at RCC this year as you strive to bring the passionate spirituality into balance.

[Ben Arment]

The process of assessing our church has just begun for us, and this was a great first-step.

Zak, I happened to know someone who does assessments for Natural Church Development in Virginia. I'm just on the receiving end of this one... and you gotta give me some grace on the blog roll. I keep it to 20 and haven't rolled anyone off yet. =)

[Nick Poole]

Wow! Props to you - That's great to hear a church getting honest with itself!

[Jack]

I'm psyched that you used NCD! I found out about it about 5 years ago and desperately wanted to use it at the church I attended at the time...to no avail. I actually was going to suggest that you give it a try! God is always one step ahead. I pray that the process yields huge fruit in the lives of RCC's people.

[zak white]

grace abounds. that's what I was trying to say. :)

Who do you know that does the assessments? Anyone closer to Texas? The few people who I know...well, let's just say their input wouldn't be that valuable...

[Ben Arment]

hmmm... i'm sure there's a website for natural church development, but I'm so new to it. So sorry Zak. I wish I could point you in the right direction...

[Tony Hooten]

Zak - The following NCD webpage should give you a good ideal of what is involved with the survey. (http://www.ncd-international.org/public/profiles.html)

RCC ordered ours from the NCD US partner which is ChurchSmart. (http://www.churchsmart.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1042) If you need more info just let me know.