Additional Resources
Resources for Natural Church Development published by The United Methodist Church
The Greater New Jersey Conference media library has a section related to church growth--with many great resources. Go to the media webpage for a listing or call Janet Stafford at 732-359-1020
Here are suggestions for resources related to the eight quality characteristics of Natural Church Development.
Empowering Leadership --Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership, by Daniel Wolpert. Published by Upper Room Books, 2006.
Leadership and Interaction Styles: Understanding Why We Behave the Way We Do in Groups, by Dan R. Dick (Discipleship Resources, 2006).
Gift-Oriented Ministry -- Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Building up the Body of Christ through the Gifts of the Spirit, by Charles V. Bryant (Upper Room, 1991).
Passionate Spirituality -- Praying Together: Forming Prayer Ministries in Your Congregation, by Martha Graybeal Rowlett (Upper Room Ministries, 2002).
Becoming Jesus’ Prayer: Transforming Your Life through the Lord’s Prayer, by Palmer, McCalmont, and Milford (Pilgrim Press, 2006).
Functional Structures -- Deepening Your Effectiveness: Restructuring the Local Church for Life Transformation, by Dan Glover and Claudia Lavey (Discipleship Resources, 2006).
Inspiring Worship Service -- Worship Planning Guidebook, by Lori Broschat (Discipleship Resources, 2006).
The Worship Workshop: Creative Ways to Design Worship Together, by Marcia McFee (Abingdon, 2002).
Holistic Small Groups -- Gathered in the Word: Praying the Scripture in Small Groups, by Norvene Vest (Upper Room Ministries, 1997).
The Heart’s Journey: Christian Spiritual Formation in the Life of a Small Group, by Barb Nardi Kurtz (Upper Room, 2001).
Companions in Christ – a series of small group studies by various authors. Available from Upper Room Ministries.
Need-Oriented Evangelism -- The
Witness: Exploring and Sharing Your Christian Faith, by Ronald K. Crandall (Discipleship Resources, 2001).
Unbinding the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism, by Martha Grace Reese, with forward by Brian McLaren (Chalice Press, 2006).
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, by Robert Schnase (Abingdon Press, May 2007)
Loving Relationships -- Living the Good Life Together -- Hospitality Planning Kit: A Study of Christian Character in Community, (Abingdon Press, August 2007).