![]() Essentially, he makes the point, using other analogies, that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The second part describes what he means by “the minimum factor”. Some characteristics are empowering leadership, gift-oriented ministry, passionate spirituality, functional structures, inspiring worship service, and need-oriented evangelism. He describes the breadth of the research and what it revealed about the characteristics. The first part of the book discusses the eight quality characteristics. This growth mechanism was designed by God and implanted in all living organisms including the church. ![]() Growth takes place and we cannot understand or make it happen we can simply reduce hindrances to it. The “all-by-itself” principle requires this. Instead of scheming to make something grow, he believes we should provide the right environment and minimize obstacles to natural development. His alternative approach centers on “biotic potential”. Schwarz touches on why “technocratic” or method driven approaches to church growth are flawed in the introduction. The book is divided visually, using color-coded chapters, into five parts. ![]() Initially flipping through the book, you might be tempted to think it was a junior high biology text. The nature/natural motif, which is very creative, runs through the whole book. These qualities can be seen in the Bible, in nature, and in research data (13). The intent of Schwarz’s book is to introduce the eight essential qualities every church must have in order to be a growing and healthy church. Unfortunately, the thrust of the book is common. “Critics of the church growth movement have often emphasized the need for quality congregations.” The author, Christian Schwarz “wholeheartedly agrees”, believing Christians should not “focus on numerical growth”, but “concentrate on qualitative growth”. In its opening paragraph, Natural Church Development (NCD)distinguishes itself from common church growth approaches.
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