AEC1999

compiled by the editor from his notes of the reports

A listening committee of three council participants shared insights at two points during the proceedings. In introducing the committee on Sunday morning, Robert J. Suderman said their purpose is "to tell us what they think we have said"—a tall order by any reckoning! Members of the listening committee were:

Hornbacker noted that several persons were trying to assess whether natural church development is consistent or not consistent with Anabaptist understandings, though many have found much in the concepts that are commendable. She heartily affirmed Tom Yoder Neufeld’s insightful presentation and called attention to the "bouquets" and "red flags" identified by the Saturday evening discussion groups.

Clapp likewise mentioned that he had heard many expressions of appreciation for Tom Yoder Neufeld’s presentation and his anticipation for the two presentations scheduled for Sunday. Clapp noted enthusiasm among participants for natural church development and attending cautions that it is not a "cure-all" for our congregations. He said, "For congregations, natural church development will be only as good as churches use it and know how to interpret it." He made comparisons with the congregational self-study contained in the newly revised LIFE process. This self-study tool is not as "flashy" as the natural church development profile, but it is based on a very large database that includes about 135 Anabaptist congregations. This tool was designed initially with the faculty of Indiana University and Northwestern University. It is a lot more work than the natural church development profile, but it may provide helpful insights for congregations that use it.

Finks agreed that the Saturday presentations and discussions had been enlightening for all. While participants are wrestling with the programmatic concepts of natural church development ("Is it just another fad?"), it is still too soon to tell. He raised questions about the original one thousand congregations in Christian Schwarz’s study: how many were growing churches? While some participants had debated the relationship of natural church development with church growth concepts, Finks expressed his opinion that there is a close connection. As evidence, he pointed to the emphasis on the "65 hypothesis"—that churches who score 65 on each of the eight characteristics are nearly always growing and that churches look to the natural church development profile because of their desire to be growing congregations.

Finks also said that Tom Yoder Neufeld’s presentation made him anxious to see the printed paper, especially the material related to the lack of an organizational structural model for local congregations in the New Testament. In essence, God has created each of us unique (individually and congregationally). Congregations need to discover the inherent qualities that help them define themselves. "We are missing the ‘being’ characteristics and are concentrating too much on the ‘doing’ aspects," he said. "Jesus said you’ll know you are my disciples if you have loving relationships, which grow out of our passionate spirituality."

Finks said that as we have gathered, we have a heart for the church and a heart for the gospel. That alone signifies value for us to gather together. Through Gerald Shenk’s presentation, Finks said he heard excitement about the natural church development profile as a tool for helping us become better congregations. It is vital, however, that we find an answer as to what are the essential marks of the church, as addressed by Lois Barrett. Finks concluded that our core values help us understand the marks of the church. He liked particularly Gerald Shenk’s emphasis on concentrating on the possibilities while not shirking from the problems. Likewise, Finks said he appreciated Lois Barrett’s comments on the "learning circle": that we need to be both reflective and active. When using any instrument, including the natural church development profile, we need to ask, "For what purpose are we using this instrument?"

Clapp said he had heard much appreciation for the quality of the presentations and the pleasure of being together. He observed that the effectiveness of the natural church development profile in helping congregations is closely tied to the ability of those who are able to accurately interpret the results, as is true for any tool. He stated that Lois Barrett’s emphases must not be missed. From his own database, Clapp said he is able to correlate one congregation’s characteristics with other congregations. But a database cannot determine congregational health. As important as the eight characteristics are to indicating congregational health, health may not always or only be found in these things. He noted from Gerald Shenk’s presentation and from organization development that congregations will do well to emphasize building on their strengths rather than concentrating on their weaknesses. He again emphasized the importance, with natural church development as with any tool, that those who make the interpretation must be able to use the results to energize rather than to depress a congregation.

Hornbacker noted that behavioral psychology is different from natural church development in that it emphasizes focusing on strengths, not on "minimum factors." She wondered whether it is ethical for us to use a "neutral instrument" for churches that wish to proclaim a "non-neutral gospel"? "We need to find the Christ in a person, not that the person is in Christ. We may be searching for the holy grail in the wrong place."

She emphasized other areas of hope that have surfaced from our meeting together. For example, might it be possible for Anabaptist groups to plant churches together as modules? Are there other areas in which we might bring our common perspectives to bear in relationship with one another? How may we resource one another? How may we expand the networking of our seminaries with one another? In spite of our questions and the fact that we may "have a long way to go," she said she is glad that "we are going someplace together."

Taken from An Anabaptist Look at Natural Church Development (© 1999 New Life Ministries). Permission to reproduce for local church use only is granted. Provided by New Life Ministries, 6404 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46807, through its web site at www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org

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