What is Natural Church Development?

Natural Church Development is based on the understanding that God has provided everything we need to grow and thrive.

The goal is to let God’s growth forces flourish.

Natural Church Development focuses on two basic goals:

Natural Church development is based on research that initially involved 1000 churches of many denominations in 32 countries.   Since then the research has grown to include more than 45,000 churches from 70 countries.

No single factor leads to church growth, whether measured in faith, good works or numbers.

Instead, NCD research identified 8 “Quality Characteristics” demonstrated in growing churches all around the world.  These are:

By examining how we’re doing in each of these eight characteristics, we can identify areas where we have most room for growth & areas of strength on which we can rely.  At St. Luke's we discovered NCD through our desire to learn more about Spiritual Gifts.  Canon Victoria Duncan from the diocesan office is our mentor as we move through the process outlined below.

NCD Timeline at St. Luke's

Learn more at the Natural Church Development website.  Or talk to Barbara Bumsted, Fr. Eric or any member of the NCD team.  The team members are Cathy Basile, Karen Collins, Donna Phillippi, and Catherine Way.

410 North Main Street, Jamestown, New York 14701

Phone (716)483-6405 * Fax (716)483-6406 * stluke@madbbs.com