Ralph Bowles
St. Stephen's Anglican Church Coorparoo
Brisbane, Australia
Most improved Quality Characteristics
Gift-based Ministry & Inspiring Worship Service +21 points
Most frequent Minimum Factor
Inspiring Worship Service  I have come to the view that worship is so much the result of the other factors, that it may be for us the test of how underlying church health is proceeding. Do weaknesses in other Quality Characteristics routinely show up in Worship?
Most frequent Maximum Factor
Holistic Small Groups  We were strong in this area at the start of our NCD journey, and have used the Small Groups as key influencers in our implementation process.
Greatest joys of our NCD journey
The sense of progress and ability to address underlying factors in our church "culture" has been the most encouraging aspect for me. Despite problems in church life, the NCD process has provided hope and insight that has borne fruit in positive change. The annual Profile has forced us to keep our eyes open and look at what is really happening in our church.
Greatest challenges of our NCD journey
Keeping focussed and maintaining momentum has been hard at times, and not all the leadership have understood the NCD paradigm.
What I think of NCD
I am enthusiastic about NCD. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that God has used NCD to keep me in parish ministry and give me hope. I am convinced that the Trinitarian paradigm behind the NCD process is sound and offers a basis for church effectiveness based on spiritual health and balance.
Advice for Leaders beginning with NCD
Make a commitment to do NCD for a least 4 years. Be prepared for the need to change personally and profoundly. Seek help from the consultants and others involved in NCD.
About Ralph Bowles
I have been ordained since 1980 in the Anglican Church of Australia. I was trained as a conservative Evangelical in the Diocese of Sydney, and have served in Sydney and since 1990 in the Diocese of Brisbane. My passion has always been the health and growth of the local church, which is why NCD immediately interested me. If there is one QC that interests me most, due to my awareness of lack in the area and conviction of its importance to church health, it is Empowering Leadership.
Church Web Site:
www.ststephenscoorparoo.org.au
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