Creating the Environment for

GrowthIntroducing Natural

Church Development and the 8 Essential Qualities

Who Am I?• Healthy Churches Development Mentor• Previously Vicar of m2o, Rugby• St. Matthew’s & St. Oswald’s

• Supporting work of the Archdeacon Missioner• Morris Rodham

• My passion is for the Church as the Bride of Christ and to work with others see it grow.

Diocesan ObjectiveTo see churches grow as they fulfil the Diocesan purposes of:•Worshipping God

•Making New Disciples

• Transforming communities

by:

• Improving our 8EQs

The 8EQs Approach•Origins in Natural Church Development

“What church growth principles are true, regardless of culture and theological persuasion?”

“What is the difference between growing and declining churches?”

“What causes a church to grow?”

3 Ways to Find Answers

1. Study Scripture

2. Observe Nature

3. Research

Mark 4:26-29The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed…the seed sprouts and grows …all by itself the soil produces grain …as soon as the grain is ripe he puts the sickle to it.

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to …

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1 Corinthians 3:6

I planted the seed,Apollos watered it,

but God made it grow.

Conclusions from Scripture• We have a part to play • God causes the growth “all-by-itself”

Observing NatureEvery organism has “all-by-itself” growth potential. They grow, thrive & multiply when the environment is right.

Research

• 1,000 churches• 32 countries• 18 languages• 5 continents

8 Essential Quality Characteristics

LeadershipMinistrySpiritualityStructuresWorship Small GroupsOutreachRelationships

Empowering Gift-based Passionate Functional Inspiring

Holistic Need-oriented

Loving

The 8EQs Approach•Origins in Natural Church Development• Concerned with Organism and

Organisation• “All by itself” growth principle

•Our responsibility: • to create the growth environment

•Principles, not programmes or models

Developing the 8EQs1. Regular survey of the 8 Quality

Characteristics•objective•detailed

I prepare myself to participate in the worship service

Developing the 8EQs1. Regular survey of the 8 quality

characteristics2. Positive action to improve the

qualities (i.e. creating the environment for growth!)•3 bullet points for action

Minimum Factor Principle

Developing the 8EQs1. Regular survey of the 8 quality

characteristics2. Positive action to improve the

qualities (i.e. creating the environment for growth!)

3. Mentors working to support the process

The Role of the Mentor

The Role of the Mentor

The Mentoring Cycle

Six Phases of the Cycle

• Test

•Understand

•Plan

•Do/Experience

•Perceive

Next Steps

Contact:Martin SaxbyHealthy Churches Development MentorE: martin.saxby@covcofe.orgM: 07944 670288W: www.healthychurches.org.ukFacebook: www.facebook.com/CovDio8EQs