The Church Health Survey is an effective tool a church can use to measure and discern its health in the areas key to fulfilling its mission. While numbers are certainly a factor in measuring the growth of a church, additional factor are needed to know how well the body of Christ functions in fulfilling God's mission and purpose. More specifically, healthy churches are most effective when the six purposes of Acts 2:42-47 are intentional, active, and balanced:
Natural Church Development (NCD) The Natural Church Development (NCD) survey 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.
The center of the NCD process is the all by itself (Mark 4:28) 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?
The survey is around eight growth principles:
• Empowering Leadership • Gift-Oriented Ministry • Passionate Spirituality • Functional Structures • Inspiring Worship Service • Holistic Small Groups • Need-Oriented Evangelism • Loving Relationships