Bishop: We're 'Serious'
About NCD
Natural Church Development

"This is going to be one of the great happenings in Holston Conference," Bishop James Swanson said Oct. 10, following three days of training for a new program called Natural Church Development.

Held at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, Tenn., the NCD training attracted twice the number expected. On Sunday, more than 400 participated in an introductory session. On Monday and Tuesday, 36 coaches and 12 district superintendents attended training led by Dave Wetzler, founder and owner of ChurchSmart Resources, the U.S. partner for Natural Church Development.

Holston members will immediately receive more information about NCD and training follow-up on the conference Web site and in The Call, Bishop Swanson said. Beginning Oct. 18, weekly updates will be provided at www.holston.org in a new online feature, ""NCD has potential to turn us around - not just in membership but our spirit of depression," Swanson said. "I want people to know we're serious about this."

For more information about NCD, call the Rev. Richard Edwards toll-free at (866) 690-4080.

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