What is NCD?
Based on research in more than 45,000 churches on six continents, NCD focuses on improving the health of a church rather than on numerical growth goals. NCD involves using a survey to measure eight essential elements of church health:

Empowering leadership
Gift-based ministry
Passionate spirituality
Effective structures
Inspiring worship
Holistic small groups
Need-oriented evangelism
Loving relationships

The measurement of these eight key areas paints a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of a church's ministry. With the help of a certified coach and a Church Health Team, a congregation can then go on to improve its "minimum factor," or the weakest of the eight key areas. (Even the greatest and most dynamic of churches have a "minimum factor.") To date, more than 25,000 U.S. churches are actively involved in NCD.

NCD describes universal principles that are applicable regardless of culture, spiritual style, church size, or denomination. However, experts emphasize that NCD is not a "quick fix" and requires a commitment of several years for maximum results.