Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship

Home

Serving Churches

Planting Churches

Get Involved

Events

Media

About

Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship Page 1 Grow

CLOSE [X]

How does a church grow?

NCD
OnSite
Loan Fund

NCD

NCD: Natural Church Development

Developed by Christian Swartz and used in more than 50,0000 congregations in scores of countries, NCD measures 8 qualities critical for robust health through an on-site survey. Dave Hileman is a trained NCD consultant and can lead your church through the process. Contact the VEF if you would like a primer to NCD, Swarts complete book, Color Your World with Natural Church Development or if you would like to just explore over a cup of coffee how NCD can benefit your church.NCD is a unique program based on a theological foundation that permeates practical aspects of the local church. It is not based on quantity; quality is the core of the NCD proactive process. It celebrates the individuality of the church so that someone elses model is not imposed on a church. The creativity and context of the local church are paramount.The program measures eight key areas that are critical for a healthy church:1) Empowering Leadership - are your leaders focus on equipping believers for ministry?Gift-based Ministry - are tasks distributed according to the criterion of gifting?3) Passionate Spirituality- is the spiritual life of the church characterized by passion?4) Effective Structures- t Do the structures of the church contribute to growth?5) Inspiring Worship - are worship services an inspiring experience for members?6) Holistic Small Groups - do groups address the life issues of their members?7) Need-oriented Evangelism - are you meeting the needs of the lost in your community?8) Loving Relationships - are the relationships of the members characterized by love?Implementation occurs by employing six growth forces: Interdependence, fruitfulness, multiplication, energy transformation, sustainability, and symbiosis.How does it work?A survey is taken by thirty people chosen according to specific criteria. Then, the results are tabulated and entered into a program, and a score is provided for each of the eight quality characteristics. The characteristic with the lowest number, a churchs minimum factor, is then addressed by a local implementation team (I-Team) that will concentrate on that issue for 12-15 months. Then, the survey is repeated, a new minimum factor is uncovered, and the process repeats itself.The raising of the minimum factor produces a more healthy balance in the church and, as these qualities are raised sequentially, the health of the church improves dramatically.How do we get started?Dave Hileman is a licensed Natural Church Development Consultant and will work with your church to set up and effective approach to NCD. Dave has completed both levels of NDC training and an additional skills course. He has administrated the NCD program in over 30 churches. The consultation includes a presentation to your leaders, administration of the survey, a results meeting, and coaching of the I-Team from initial analysis through implementation and evaluation. To set up an initial consultation, just call 717-220-6736 or contact Dave Hileman at Dave_vef.ccHow much does NCD cost?While the VEF makes no specific charge for the consultation and coaching services, we do request reimbursement of the cost of the survey, scoring the survey, and site fee. The total cost is $275. $200 for NCD and $75 for the coaching site.Adittional Information:Color Your World with Natural Church Development by Christian Schwarz is available for the VEF for $14.www.ncd-international.org
NCD brown.png

OnSite

OnSite: A Guest-Friendly Facilities Evaluation

What does your building communicate to the people who drive by each day, to the folks who see you on the internet, to the guests God brings to your door on Sunday? And, while you may not think a building says anything, it does; it speaks volumes about your care for people visiting your church. An OnSite Guest Friendly Facilities Evaluation is designed to help see your church through the eyes of a guest arriving on site to worship with your church family this Sunday and to suggest ways to do a great job at making them feel completely at home. An OnSite Evaluation helps you see where your property enhances or distracts from the ministry of your congregation, looks at what can be done to welcome and inform guests and to ensure they have a wonderful experience in their visit. Your church campus is your most visible and most used ministry tool. OnSite will aid in making it a strong force for evangelism.Jeff Levy, a Deacon at Community Christian in New Bern wrote, The evaluation played a critical part in the direction we are heading with a new building plan... We are implementing many things that were addressed in your evaluation. Thank you so much for your time and assessment.If you would like to arrange a time for an On-Site Guest Friendly Facilities Evaluation, email dave_vef.cc or call at 757.897.0223 and we will be glad to help.

Loan Fund

No-Interest Loan Fund

Eighty-eight congregations from Mountain City to Burke to Virginia Beach have benefited from an interest free loan made through the VEF. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ have purchased new property to build or expand, repaired damaged buildings, remodeled facilities and added attractive signs to improve their ability to reach their community for Jesus. A total of $1,796,000 has been loaned and repaid on schedule or earlier in all but one congregation over a 30 plus year history of the loan fund.If you would like information on the program, call Dave at 757.897.0223 or email at dave_vef.cc and get a start by downloading the Funding Request Form now:
Loan Fund brown.png

PDF format Loan Application VEF.pdf

Microsoft Word Loan Application VEF.doc

Lead

CLOSE [X]

How should we lead?

Seminars
Coaching
Edge 3D

Seminars

Leadership Seminars: Local and Area Events

Each year the Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship invests in state-wide and regional leadership seminars by bringing in great guest speakers and teachers. In the past we have held, in partnership with Johnson University, The Art of the Sermon with Bob Russell on writing the sermon and Dave Stone on presenting the sermon. Jud Wilhite, Justin Miller, Ben Merold, Kevin Odor, Barry Cameron, Jim Pierson, Jeff Walling, Johnny Pressley and Mike Breaux are some of those who presented great messages and timely ideas to the leaders of Virginia churches. We will continue to bring outstanding challenging speakers to sharpen the leaders in Virginia and beyond. For information on the Fall 2011 Leadership Seminars sponsored by Church Development Fund and VEF click here.The VEF also offers leadership retreats for individual churches. These are designed in consultation with the leaders of the church to fit their schedule and needs. We can emphasize a variety of issues. In the past, we have held meetings on selection of elders, the challenges of leadership in a changing culture, and how to create a positive future for a church in transition.
Leadership Seminars brown.png

Coaching

One2One Coaching:

"I never cease to be amazed at the power of the coaching process to draw out the skills or talent that was previously hidden within an individual, and which invariably finds a way to solve a problem previously thought unsolvable." John RussellThis is true in the church as well as on the athletic field, in business or in military commands, coaching enables people to excel. Andy Stanley writes, No one can achieve his full potential without a coach. The VEF Director of Church Relations, Harry Gill, has been trained to coach and to teach coaching techniques by Bob Logan, the foremost expert in the field. We are now able to offer One2One coaching through certified Virginia coaches to staff members in Virginia and surrounding areas. Each coaching agreement is for a twelve month contract generally meeting by phone for one hour each month. There are modest costs associated with One2One coaching. The coaching process will benefit your congregation by improving the leadership, organizational and planning skills of your staff who are in a coaching relationship. Here is a quote from Mike Steiner, Senior Minister, Stafford County Christian about One2One:Coaching is a powerful equipper and encourager for both the one being coached and the coach; it is making a real difference in my ministry and the ministry of other leaders. If you would like to find out more about One2One or enroll in the program, contact Harry at harry_vef.cc or call 804.402.6107. Or you can send an email to dave_vef.cc for details.
Coaching brown.png

Edge 3D

Edge 3D

Experience Edge 3D, the VEFs own reality show! Join us at one of the out-of-the-norm and out-of-the-office challenges with a leadership twist. Past Edge 3D Events:Drop Off the Mountain was a 35 mile bike ride on the Creeper Trail near Abingdon, Hang By aThread took us to Ravens Roost along the Blue Ridge Parkway to climb 100 foot cliffs, and Twist Through the Esses feature racing karts at the Virginia International Raceways 5/8 mile professional track near Danville. These experiences conclude with a meal and a lesson from an experienced event leader who can bridge the activity with valuable leadership insights for ministry.E-mail us at info_vef.cc if you'd like to hear about our next upcoming event!
Edge3D_blue outline2.png

Connect

CLOSE [X]

How can we connect?

Fusion
Converge
Consultation

Fusion

Fusion Groups: A Peer-to-Peer Learning Network

As the demands of ministry grow, requiring more skills, more knowledge and more resources coupled with the expectation that everything will be done with excellence, it is absolutely critical that ministry staff continue to learn. And studies show that one of the most effective ways to learn is with our peers on the front lines of effective ministry. A fusion group usually consists of four to six staff members in similar situations who meet monthly to sharpen each others skills. Fusion groups are structured with four area of growth: paradigm shifts in the culture, acquiring new skills, finding timely resources and the personal dimensions of ministry. Fusion groups are given structure by both VEF staff and a local facilitator for each group. Often the group discussion takes place over reading material, sometimes over sermons or lessons or technology and sometimes just about some practical issue or problems that a member might need help with resolving. There are many groups meeting in Virginia and North Carolina and we would be happy to assist in starting one in your area or for a specific segment of ministry, like Childrens, Music, Youth, Administrators or other roles. Here is what some participants are saying about Fusion:"Our Fusion group is an extraordinary venue where leaders sharpen leaders with experience and transparency."RIck RainesSenior Minister, Fairmount Christian"My Fusion group is a great combination of friendship, professional support , new ideas, learning and laughs....its what I need each month."Matt ScottSenior Minister, Langley ChristianTo find out more contact the VEF at dave_vef.cc or harry_vef.cc or phone 757.897.0223.To see a list of books that Fusion groups have discussed click here.
Fusion brown.png

Converge

Converge: How to converse, connect, and care for your guests.

"Converge - to come from different directions to eventually meet at a place - or - to gradually change so as to develop something in common." This is a perfect definition of your goal for every person who attends your church as a guest. Converge can help you accomplish that goal, even with people of diverse backgrounds and experience.Converge is a three-hour workshop on how to welcome your guests and keep them coming back to your church. Designed to be adapted to your churchs unique needs and culture, Converge is a catalyst to a healthier, growing congregation. A strategic focus on your guests needs, questions and expectations can dramatically increase the percentage of those guests who return for a second and third visit and, eventually, make a commitment to the next step in their spiritual journey. All churches need a guest-centered, Christ honoring assimilation plan to ensure that their guests early experience at your church sets them on a path to fully encounter Gods grace.Paul Viers, Senior Minister at Woodland Hills in Abingdon writes: The Assimilation Seminar (now Converge) has the potential to radically improve the image of your church to your guests forever.Jerry Jones, Senior Minister at The Journey in Springfield says the seminar was one of the best things that we did last year. It gave our people a vision and passion for connecting and plugging people in to the life of the Journey.Converge can help your congregation as well. To schedule a Converge Seminar on your campus, call Dave at 757.897.0223 to email him at dave_vef.cc
Converge brown.png

Consultation Presentation

Consultations

We have assisted with staff searches, gathered salary information, worked with by-law revision, talked over countless leadership issues, directed many churches to a wide range of resources, met with discouraged ministers and celebrated with many more the exciting things God is doing in their ministries. We have discussed the perils of relocation and the dangers of not doing so, evaluated building sites, prepared demographic figures, and held scores of meetings with leaders who are concerned about the effectiveness of their churches and grieved by the people around their congregations who live each day without Jesus. The VEF staff is privileged to share in diverse opportunities across the Commonwealth and work with scores of great leaders who share a desire to overcome critical obstacles in the pursuit of Kingdom growth.Recent consultations include:By-laws and IncorporationStaff Compensation and HiringWorship Service EvaluationMediation RecommendationsIndividual Research and Questions

"Pursuing Kingdom Growth" The VEF freely offers many services to churches in/around Virginia. Click on a service below to find out more.How does a church grow?How should we lead?How can we connect?Natural Church Development:Systematically evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of your congregation.Leadership Seminars:High quality local and regional seminars structured around issues critical for effective leadership.Fusion Groups:A Peer-to-Peer Learning Network.OnSite:A guest-friendly facilities evaluation.One2One Coaching:Working with a trained coach improves leadership and strengthens congregations.Converge:How to care, converse, and connect with your guests.Individual Consultation:Any additional questions about connecting, growing, or leading your church can be sent to info_vef.cc.Loan Fund:When growing churches need an extra boost.Edge 3D:Extreme, action-packed events that connect you with other church leaders from around VA and teach valuable leadership lessons.Click here to donate onlineinfo_vef.cc - 757-220-6736HomePlanting ChurchesGet InvolvedEventsMediaAbout