Church Development Systems

Comments

"After researching a half dozen church growth experts and organizations, we concluded that Church Development Systems was far superior to any other. After receiving the training of the CDS system, we are even more convinced of this fact. Dr. Richard Southern and Robert Norton have assembled a comprehensive strategic system for church and organizational growth. Their approach is based on sound theory, and backed up with proven growth techniques. I recommend their method and system to any church needing to seriously look at its future and potential.
–The Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya

“We need strong and vital congregations that boldly proclaim God’s love for all. CDS helped us make that happen at our church.”
–The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto

"I have a deep appreciation for the material for church growth that you at Church Development Systems have developed...Your systems approach makes a perfect fit with those concerns. No one has thought through church growth from a more thorough point of view, and no one has seriously focused on identifying the gifts of the congregation and encouraging the use of those gifts in service to the community of faith and those outside the doors of the church. I intend to use this material in every way possible to grow churches and develop community."
--The Rev. James Conn

“This has been rewarding work! We have our values, mission, and vision solidly in place--and not just as words on a page, but as a deeply held focus and intention that grew out of our whole vision team. We know whom we can serve with excellence, and what we intend to focus on that makes us unique. We know how to welcome, nurture, empower, and serve them..We know how to initiate small group ministry and the value such a ministry creates for each participant and for the larger spiritual community. CDS has given us so much in this process, and all of us are deeply grateful to them for their knowledge, experience, humor, and acceptance.”
--The Rev. Mary Murray Shelton

"The CDS approach works for several reasons: it has been tested and refined in hundreds of churches, and it creates an environment where growth is coming out of who the congregation truly is —thus assisting it beyond ‘we want to grow but we don't want to change.’ In the CDS method, the parish observes that healthy growth emerges from their spiritual DNA (who they really are), and enhances a congregation's ability to respond with flexibility to the inevitabilities of change."
–The Rev. Lon R. Haack

"We've been using the principles taught by CDS to organize our parish's approach to growth. We are delighted with the results we're getting. There's an almost palpable, growing enthusiasm for the parish's life altogether. There's a sense that we know where we are going and there's a confidence that we are prepared to make the investment of time, energy and money to get there. Weekly attendance is up about 20% and I expect the upcoming newcomer class to be the largest in three years."
–The Rev. Rob Droste

“Going through your spiritual DNA process has not only brought new life into our community of faith, it has deeply affected me on my personal spiritual journey.”
–The Rev. Dr. Jacquie Darby

"Southern and Norton 'know their stuff,' and are experts in the field of church renewal and growth. They have taught, challenged, and empowered us to grow spiritually and numerically, and we have begun to see positive results. I highly recommend them to any church wanting to grow and be more effective to serve the present age."
–The Rev. Dr. Nymphas R. Edwards

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