We need to revise the rules of a game which seems to be played out with one active pulpit, before an audience of passive pews. Here’s one way forward
As Canadians wrestle with a shrinking Church and a growing recognition that the God of all ages is not limited to high ceilings, wooden pews, or even [...]

If you were to hang out at a Christian bookstore at the edge of many Canadian cities, you might be surprised to see who is there.  Ditto if you drive past a packed church parking lot any day of the week, or a bustle of people leaving a newly planted church in an industrial area, [...]

Many of us were introduced to NCD as a “survey” that evaluated 8 key ministry areas: leadership, ministry, spirituality, structures, worship, small groups, evangelism, and relationships.  60,000 surveys worldwide have demonstrated the validity of NCD’s initial premise:  thriving churches have a similar approach.  In healthy churches leadership is empowering, ministry is aligned with spiritual giftings, [...]

This was a lecture given at the 2008 Vital Church Planting Conference.
 

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This was a lecture given at the 2008 Vital Church Planting Conference.
 

This audio file is for registered members only. Log in or register for FREE by clicking here.

This Article is from the Fall 2005 edition of good idea!, also available here in a fully formatted PDF file.

 
Connie was born and grew up in Southern Ontario. One parent was Roman Catholic and the other Christian Reformed, and the family settled into the United Church of Canada as a bridge. It was in the United Church that Connie [...]

An experienced church planter from the United Church of Canada reflects on what she observes in this issue of good idea!
If Church Planting is simply a matter of finding and operating the right technology, we have entered a new and frightening universe: a world where almost no one remembers how babies are made.  Alarmed at [...]

Natural Church Development (NCD) is a widely-acclaimed program which helps churches in self-understanding and healthy growth. Connie denBok, an Institute Associate and an experienced teacher of the NCD process explains how it works, and why we should pay attention.
Natural Church Development is a systematic approach to a very common process.  
A very kind lady in my church [...]