Evolving from Transactional to Transformational – The 1% Vision

TORONTO — What if just one percent could change everything?

Across Ontario, The Salvation Army is seeing renewed momentum—not by adding more programs, but by rethinking what church growth really means.

Eight years ago, leaders across the Ontario Division began asking an important question: How healthy is our church, really? Four years ago, that question became a commitment.

The Salvation Army in Ontario is reporting stronger church health and a revival following four years of work with Natural Church Development (NCD), an internationally used congregational assessment tool, according to Divisional Secretary Mission Resources – Ontario Divisional Headquarters, Chris Rideout, who is overseeing this initiative.

Using NCD, leaders set out to intentionally strengthen church health, not through programs or quick fixes, but by listening carefully to congregations and removing the obstacles that prevent growth.

According to the results of the surveys, Rideout reports that churches across the province now measure healthier than the national cross-denominational average, and the work is only just beginning.

NCD measures eight core characteristics of church health, offering a clear picture of what is flourishing and what needs attention.

It Starts With Listening

In four years, that commitment has turned into action—hundreds of surveys completed, hundreds of conversations with church boards, and more than 5,000 people invited into honest dialogue about the health of their church.

But listening revealed something else.

“The survey gives voice to the people. And we take that voice seriously.”

One of the earliest insights from the divisional surveys was that holistic small groups did not come naturally to many congregations.  Rather than introducing new programs, the division focused on reshaping culture using three familiar tools: Alpha, Café Church, and Messy Church.

So instead of changing what their congregation did, they are trying to change how they gathered. Congregations were encouraged to slow down, pray together, ask meaningful questions, and create space for authentic care to create a space for healthy growth.

Slowing Down to Grow

At the heart of NCD is a simple but powerful principle.

“God makes the church grow. Our role is to remove the barriers.”

But listening revealed something else.

One of the earliest insights from the divisional surveys was that holistic small groups did not come naturally to many congregations.  Rather than introducing new programs, the division focused on reshaping culture using three familiar tools: Alpha, Café Church, and Messy Church.

“We are not trying to change what people do. We are trying to change how we gather.”

Congregations were encouraged to slow down, pray together, ask meaningful questions, and create space for authentic care to create a space for healthy growth.

Building Trust Through Clear and Effective Structures

Another area identified for growth was effective structures, how churches organize, communicate, and lead.

In response, divisional leaders began meeting one-on-one with church boards to share best practices around clear vision and mission statements, transparent communication, regular reporting and accountability, and congregational engagement.

From Transactional to Transformational: The 1% Vision

Each year, about 150,000 people walk through Salvation Army doors in Ontario. The question became: What if just one percent experienced real transformation?

That’s 1,500 lives changed—not just served, but known, supported, and invited into something deeper.

“This is not about doing more. It is about doing what matters most, and doing it well.”

A First-of-Its-Kind Gathering

This vision is now being shared through five regional gatherings across Ontario, bringing together corps officers, church board members and community service staff. The gatherings are designed for shared vision, roundtable discussions, peer mentoring, and honest Q&A. Early feedback has been positive, with attendance continuing to grow. This is the first of its kind and is raising excitement across the churches.

“To my knowledge, this has never been done before in our Division.”

One of the most striking findings from NCD worldwide is that when joy and laughter are present in worship, church health scores rise. The results are not coincidental. Joy is a sign of health and as the Ontario Division continues on this journey, the focus remains on intentional faith formation.

“We have asked. We have listened. And we are responding. That is how credibility is built.”

Looking Ahead

The goal is simple: introduce people to Jesus, help them grow in faith, and walk with them as they serve others.

In some congregations, this has meant people staying longer after services—sharing meals, praying together, and building relationships that didn’t exist before.

Because if one percent can be transformed, the impact won’t stay small for long.

“And that 1% growth, Rideout concluded, Is a goal worth achieving.”

By Claudia Nosseir