Creating the
Environment for Growth
Introducing 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 Objective
To 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 4:26-29
The 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 Nature
Every 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
 Empowering
 Gift-based
 Passionate
 Functional
 Inspiring
 Holistic
 Need-oriented
 Loving
Leadership
Ministry
Spirituality
Structures
Worship
Small Groups
Outreach
Relationships
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 8EQs
1. Regular survey of the 8 Quality
Characteristics
• objective
• detailed
I prepare myself to
participate in the
worship service
Developing the 8EQs
1. Regular survey of the 8 quality
characteristics
2. Positive action to improve the
qualities (i.e. creating the
environment for growth!)
• 3 bullet points for action
Minimum Factor Principle
Developing the 8EQs
1. Regular survey of the 8 quality
characteristics
2. 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 Saxby
Healthy Churches Development Mentor
E: martin.saxby@covcofe.org
M: 07944 670288
W: www.healthychurches.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovDio8EQs