An Overview of Contents

An Overview of Contents Part 1. About NCLS Research Part 2. National Church Life Survey 2006 Part 3. About Church Vitality Part 4. Your Church Life Profile Part 5. Three Planning Options Part 6. Other NCLS Projects and Resources

PART 1. About NCLS Research

Mission of NCLS Research ABOUT NCLS RESEARCHThe Mission of NCLS Research NCLS Research is an agency that seeks to assist churches to move forward in mission and ministry in Australia, and to encourage the wider community to reflect upon its spiritual journey and the churches’ place within it Research Activities Resources for ministry • CHURCH • Denominational Leadership • Congregations • Church Attenders • Christian Agencies • WIDER COMMUNITY • Media • Government • Non church attenders

ABOUT NCLS RESEARCHFoundations for NCLS Research “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” John 10:10 Jesus Christ and his promise of life, his presence as life, is at the core of every congregation. • In the midst of all our communities Jesus is: • the bread of life (John 6:35) • the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) • the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) • the living water (John 4:11) • the light of life (John 8:12).

PART 2. About National Church Life Survey 2006

National Church Life Survey 2006 A survey of the attitudes, beliefs and practices of church attenders and leaders, conducted every five years. 1991 1996 2001 2006 The survey model has also been exported to New Zealand, England, and the USA

NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2006The goal for NCLS 2006 To identify signs of hope for the Church in Australia and to present our research and analysis so as to nurture life in both the leadership and the congregations across Australia. the life the hopes the concerns of the congregation

NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2006How NCLS 2006 took place The National Church Life Survey 2006 • Involved over 700 000 church attenders in more than 7000 churches in some 22 denominations • Survey season: June to November 2006 • Churches chose a week suitable to them • Resources returned within a few months • Costs included both survey process and resources • A key resource for ministry

NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2006Church Life Pack • Book & DVD: Enriching Church Life • Report: Church Life Profile • Worksheets • Poster: Our Circle of Strengths • NCLS Admin Key • Innovations Magazine: Novus

NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2006: CHURCH LIFE PACKChurch Life Profile The Church Life Profile is especially compiled for your church from the voices of your people, expressed through the 2006 National Church Life Survey. • 28 page report • A snapshot of your people • Will help you assess your strengths • Includes planning options

Enriching Church Life outlines: Three different processes to help your church move forward Key research findings on fostering vitality and growth in churches NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2006: CHURCH LIFE PACKEnriching Church Life: a practical guide for local churches

NATIONAL CHURCH LIFE SURVEY 2006: CHURCH LIFE PACKEnriching Church Life Companion DVD • Enriching Church Life Companion DVD includes: • Video resources • NCLS promo video • Plus other videos Planning Guides • Facilitators Notes • Power Points • Worksheets • Samples

PART 3. About Church Vitality

About Church Vitality Jesus declared, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”. Church vitality is essentially about the quality of church life. Where is your church most alive?

ABOUT CHURCH VITALITYDimensions of Vitality • NCLS Research has identified • 9 Core Qualities and • 3 Attendance Measures. • They are: • based on 15 years of research in Australian and international churches • all central to the life of a church • all interrelated yet also separately understood

ABOUT CHURCH VITALITYNine Core Qualities of Church Life Internal Core Qualities The inner life of the community of faith Inspirational Core Qualities Relate to leadership and direction Outward Core Qualities How churches focus beyond themselves

ABOUT CHURCH VITALITYInternal Core Qualities The Internal Core Qualities focus on the inner life of the community of faith. Foundational to church life, providing shape and energy to other Core Qualities: An Alive and Growing Faith Your faith commitment? Relationship with God? Private devotional practices? Growth in faith? Vital and Nurturing WorshipServices bring to you an experience of God? Awe? Mystery? Boredom? Inspiration? Growth in relationship with God? Helpful preaching? Strong and Growing Belonging Your sense of belonging in this church? Levels of friendliness? Levels of conflict? Your level of participation in the life of this church?

ABOUT CHURCH VITALITYInspirational Core Qualities These qualities relate to leadership and direction. They are the major catalysts for churches to move forward. Clear and Owned Vision A vision that is shared? Goals that are real and achievable? Leadership looking to the future? Inspiring and Empowering Leadership Leadership inspiring and empowering? Leadership communicates clearly? Leadership focuses on the wider community? Imaginative and Flexible Innovation Leadership encourages innovation? Congregation open to try new things? Openness to different worship style?

ABOUT CHURCH VITALITYOutward Core Qualities These qualities are about how churches focus beyond themselves by reaching out to others. Practical and Diverse Service Involved in the church’s welfare programs? Involved in community service organisations? Helping others informally? Willing and Effective Faith-sharing Involved in the church’s evangelistic programs? Share faith with others? Invite others to church? Discuss faith matters at home? Intentional and Welcoming Inclusion How are new arrivals welcomed? How are those drifting away followed-up?

Part 4. Your Church Life Profile

Your Church Life Profile The Church Life Profile is especially compiled for your church from the voices of your people, expressed through the 2006 National Church Life Survey. It includes: • Summary Review • Detailed Review • Planning Options

CHURCH LIFE PROFILEMaking the Most of Your Profile STEP 1 Review Your Profile Review the information in your Church Life Profile to assess your strengths and to hear what attenders have said. Then make recommendations about the next step. STEP 2 Choose a Planning Option Once you have reviewed your Church Life Profile, the next step is to develop plans that will assist you to move forward with confidence.

CHURCH LIFE PROFILEMaking the Most of Your Profile FOR STEP 1 Getting ready The NCLS team recommends that, if possible, more than one person reviews the Profile. The main findings about your church’s vitality can then be reported to the leadership and congregation. Appoint a Review Team Become familiar with ‘Enriching Church Life’ book and DVD. To review your Profile... Dig Deeper in Your Detailed Review (pp12-25): Complete Profile Worksheet 2 Study your Summary Review (pp4-11) Complete Profile Worksheet 1 Distribute the Information

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILESummary Review: Circle of Strengths The Summary Review (pp4-11) includes the Circle of Strengths: The circle of strengths represents the comparative strengths of your church for each of the nine core qualities

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILESummary Review: Change over Time Change over Time When churches take part in the NCLS more than once, we can offer a picture of change over time

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILESummary Review: Attendance Inflow & Outflow Attendance Inflow and Outflow Churches grow when inflow exceeds outflow. The NCLS Inflow/Outflow chart helps churches understand their main sources of inflow and destinations of outflow.

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILESummary Review: What attenders value & hope for • Aspects of church that attenders most value • Aspects of church that attenders think should get more attention

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILEDetailed Review In the Detailed Review section (12 pages): • detailed results for each Core Quality • You in 2006 • You in 2001 • A wider comparison • questions to help you engage with the data

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILEDetailed Review: attendance measures Attendance: Detailed data on each of the key attendance measures.

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILEDetailed Review: the people of your church Demographic and other data about the people of your church

YOUR CHURCH LIFE PROFILEPlanning Options After first reviewing the Profile, we recommend churches move from reflection to action. The Profile outlines: • Three Planning Options • Short Planning Session

PART 5. Three Planning Options 1. A Short Planning Session (1 session) 2. Reflection/Action Planning Process (2 sessions) 3. Comprehensive Planning Process (4-5 sessions)

PLANNING OPTIONSLook for Life “I came that they might have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Planning that sees, reverences and fosters the sacredness of life! (people's gifts, energy, initiative, creativity)- that builds hope!

PLANNING OPTIONSLook for Life Jesus Christ and his promise of life, his presence as life, is at the core of every congregation. In the midst of all our communities Jesus is: • the Bread of life (John 6:35) • the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) • the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) • the Living Water (John 4:11) • the Light of Life (John 8:12)

PLANNING OPTIONSAn overview of three planning options

PLANNING OPTIONSOption 1: Short Planning Session An introduction to the Church Life Profile suitable for any church. A single two hour session. It is designed to encourage all attenders to reflect on the strengths they bring to ministry. We invite all churches to do this session.

PLANNING OPTIONSOption 2: Reflection/Action Planning Process For churches to move directly from their NCLS Profiles to steps for action. Two sessions of 2-3 hours each. For churches that have recently completed a planning process, are already pursuing a vision or are not able to begin a long planning process right now.

PLANNING OPTIONSOption 3: Comprehensive Planning Process For churches keen to develop a vision for the future and to develop action steps needed to bring this vision to reality. Four to six sessions. This process can help churches to rediscover their sense of purpose, to dream dreams, to cast a vision and to passionately pursue the vision to its fulfillment.