20 years of Natural Church Development (NCD): Many reasons to be thankful for what has happened in more than 70,000 churches around the globe. At the same time, an opportunity to open a new chapter. A re-definition of the “C” in NCD. It stands for "character" and "community" as well as for "church."

Natural Church Development (NCD) is all about releasing the potential that God has already implanted in our lives. Based on research in more than 70,000 churches on all six continents, NCD describes universal principles that are applicable regardless of culture or spiritual style.

First.

NCD focuses on increasing the quality of a church rather than on numerical growth goals. This emphasis on church health has proven to be the key to ongoing growth and multiplication.

Second.

The center of NCD is the all by itself principle that can be observed in healthy churches around the globe. All NCD principles are answers to the question: How can this God-given growth potential be released?

Third.

On all levels of church life, NCD encourages creativity, authenticity, and diversity. Rather than selling a specific church model, NCD helps Christians and churches to discover and develop their individuality.

Fourth.

NCD assists believers in rediscovering central Biblical concepts and relating them to their everyday lives. This is expressed by the Trinitarian Compass which is the heart of all NCD tools.

It works. Churches that have done three or more NCD Surveys, have increased their average growth rate by 51% between the first and the third survey. We plant, we water. God gives the increase.

Fifth.

An introduction to
Natural Church Development

For detailed information on Natural Church Deveopment as a strategy, on NCD International as a ministry agency, and on NCD founder Christian A. Schwarz, click one of the buttoms below.