Natural Church Development

Trinity Episcopal Church is currently implementing Natural Church Development (NCD), a world-wide program that helps healthy churches improve and is drawing people closer to the triune God.

A series of research projects from 1986–1995 culminated in a highly scientific study of more than 1,000 churches in 32 countries. The research found that healthy churches had 8 quality characteristics in common:

• Empowering Leadership
• Gift-oriented Ministry
• Passionate Spirituality
• Effective Structures
• Inspiring Worship Services
• Holistic Small Groups
• Need-oriented Evangelism
• Loving Relationships

A survey to be completed by the pastor and a representative group of parishioners helps churches identify their strengths and weaknesses in these 8 areas. As of July 2007, more than 50,000 churches worldwide have completed NCD surveys. In the United States more than 60 denominations are currently participating in the NCD process.

Trinity has completed the first survey process and has learned our weakest characteristic. We are concentrating on strengthening this characteristic which will boost the overall health of our parish.The process will go on for several years, focusing on each characteristic from weakest to strongest, with Trinity, Findlay emerging as a more vibrant and growing church.