| Summary: | Although the gifts of the Spirit were given for edification of the body of Christ, dwindling
membership numbers point to a church that is definitely not busy building itself up. Several
scholars have been quoted in this study that quite rightly compare the quantitative growth of
the church with the qualitative index of the church. However, the quality of the church is not
measured against secular standards, but rather against the Word of God.
Christian A. Schwarz (1996) introduced a scientific instrument called the Natural Church
Development (NCD) questionnaire to measure the quality index of a congregation with regard
to eight specific characteristics. This study shows that the eight qualities were indeed derived
from Scripture and can certainly be used as qualitative criteria.
The following general research question arose: How are the eight characteristics of growing
churches, as presented in the Natural Church Development research, applied in a practical
theological way in the Reformed Churches in South Africa - and how can this be expounded
upon? The methodology used was as follows:
In Chapter 2, basis-theoretical principles, relevant to each of the eight quality characteristics,
were derived from Scripture. These basis-theoretical principles were deduced as a result of
literature studies and exegesis of applicable passages of Scripture. These principles were
grouped into five basis-theoretical principles.
In Chapter 3, meta-theoretical perspectives on the application of the eight quality
characteristics were also considered. Meta-theoretical perspectives were formulated with
regard to each one of the basis-theoretical principles by means of a study of recent, practical
literature on church-growth and Management Science. An empirical study established to
what degree the eight quality characteristics of Natural Church Development are operative in
three Reformed churches in South Africa.
In Chapter 4, practical-theoretical guidelines were given as a result of the hermeneutical
interaction between the basis-theoretical principles and the meta-theoretical perspectives.
General practical-theoretical guidelines are deduced as a result of the specific guidelines that
emerged after a study of one congregation.
The final conclusion that was reached is that the eight principles of Natural Church
Development can be enhanced in the Reformed Churches of South Africa by vision driven
ministry of the specific services. These services will then achieve pre-determined goals,
based on on-line information generated by the Natural Church Development questionnaire as
well as the will to increase the general quality index by the encouraging, motivating,
equipping and empowering of members of the congregation to realise their vision. The results
of the NCD questionnaire can constantly be evaluated and goals can be reformulated when
needed. === Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
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