One of the strengths of the NCD paradigm is that it’s not strictly a model of church but a tool for diagnosing and enhancing church health whatever the model or size of the church. Loving relationships, passionate spirituality, functional structures etc are fairly universal.

Great to hear of your mentoring relationship and the desire to help a younger leader discover his unique identity.

Steve

For what it’s worth, here’s a few reflections on church planting and NCD -

There are different models of church planting that work – I have a number of friends who are leaders in churches developed using different models – cell church/G12; satellite services; as well as survey related models like NCD. My reflections have been that a major key is finding (or developing) a plan that works for you and fits with your personal core values. As important as a strategic plan is, the model you choose to work with is much more significant than just a strategic plan – there needs to be a connection with your soul and spirit… not just the brain.

I read Christian Schwartz’s “Paradigm shift in the church” in ‘98/’99 and connected with the thinking, but there was also a spiritual and soul connection that inspired me. In 2000 I became the visionary leader in a suburban church plant and we have worked with the NCD framework since then. We have adapted some areas and developed some terminology, but essentially are still working with the model. However, it is only a model and there is a need for flexibility and continual change to reflect who we are and the community we are living in…

Our church was planted in a community that had previously seen a number of churches start and finish within a three year cycle – two others have started and closed in the time we have been here. In 2002/3 our church reduced in numbers (which I am aware is only one factor – our finances, energy, momentum, sense of adventure went backwards too!) and we struggled through a difficult time. I considered flaws in the NCD model and also personal leadership weaknesses as possible reasons for failure, but in the end my sense of calling to the community and commitment to the model prevailed and the church has persevered. Had I felt less connected with the model I may have diverted energy to fault finding and ultimately changing models, rather than simply journeying through a difficult season and keeping on.

I have concerns for the key leaders in the other two churches that have started and finished here in the last few years. As I prayed and reflected, one of my concerns was that the key leaders were running with a model that they had seen work for others, but was not something that was integrally true for them. I am concerned that in our desire to plant more churches we take care not to send people out with a model that is not fundamentally part of who they are…

My concern in mentoring others it to help them to find their unique gifts and personality and work with a model that works for them… not simply what has worked for me. It’s great that Liam is passionate about church planting and NCD and that you also embrace and teach this model… it is likely to attract people to you who have that heart. However I think it will be important to network with other groups, who embrace different models, to enable cross-pollination and to help ensure that people with the calling, energy and enthusiasm for church planting are operating out of a model that is true to them and that they are able to stick with through thick and thin…

The young man who is our present youth pastor, who I am mentoring in leadership and who is likely to take on leadership of the church in the future, has a different philosophy of church. I recognise these differences and challenge him on any issues that have a biblical foundation, but also give him space where the differences are simply related to personal preference, style etc. My intention is to help him to understand how best to lead with his gifts and his personality, not to invent a mini-me.

As a consequence of the closure of the two churches locally, that were launched with passion, vision and enthusiasm, I know of several people – including key leaders of the church plants – who are suffering from depression, disillusion and some who are no longer involved in church at all… We all need to keep focussed on kingdom building not just church planting

Keep up the great work

Blessya,

Mike