Church Planter Assessment

• What Happens During Assessment?
• Who Should Be Assessed?
• What Is Not Necessary For Assessment?
• How To Find A Sponsor
• When And How To Register, Schedule and Costs
• Next Steps After Assessment

Church Planter Coaching

• What's In It For Me?
• What Kind Of Commitment Do I Need To Give To This?
• What's The Next Step?

Miscellaneous

• How Do I Find An Evangelist? (PDF)

What Happens During Assessment?

We've all heard the stories. We've all seen the movies. Sadly, we've all known people who have lived it out.

We're talking about people who spend their whole lives doing something they were never created by God to do. We've all met people who should have been teachers: they are great with children, they light up a room when called upon to teach something, but instead they went into business because that's what someone important in their life said they should do. How sad! Rick Warren was right, we were created by God to accomplish something specifically aligned with our:

Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience

The most rewarding feelings we will ever have here on earth will come when we are in the middle of our "sweet spot"; i.e., doing what we were designed by God to do.

Whatever that sweet spot is for us, we owe it to God (the Giver of spiritual gifts), the people around us (who will be blessed by our ministry), and ourselves to take the time to find it. Secular companies are willing to invest upwards of $50,000 into a new employee to discover what their unique contribution to that company could be over the long haul. The Evangelism and Church Growth department of the Wesleyan Church wants to invest in you with the same commitment as a secular company, we've just figured out a way to do that at a fraction of the cost.

We do that by means of the Church Planter Assessment Center. I know that when a church plant doesn't make it, it's typically for reasons that could have been identified early on in the process. They tend to come in certain categories

• Wrong motives (no clear sense of a call to reach the lost)
• Wrong situation (church planter doesn't fit the area they're going to)
• Wrong timing (the person and the place are right- the time's just not right yet)
• Wrong person (not gifted/called by God to be a church planter)

As a result of these issues, in 1998, the Wesleyan Church started studying group-based assessment models pioneered by other denominations and parachurch organizations, such as the Presbyterian Church, the Free Methodist Church, Church Multiplication Training Center, and New Church Specialties. With funding from the General Department of Evangelism and Church Growth (E&CG), the Kansas District of The Wesleyan Church piloted church planter assessments under the direction of the Reverend Genetta Herrera. In 2000 E&CG began sponsoring a regular schedule of four-day assessment events that have evaluated over 100 prospective church planting candidates and their spouses in the first four years, while training a growing team of skilled assessors.

Church Planter Assessment Centers are not training grounds for church planters. This is not where a person comes to learn about church planting and leaves with an action plan for their church plant. That comes after assessment. The purpose of the assessment process is to evaluate candidates in regard to a specific set of characteristics and leadership skills widely held as necessary for successful church planting.

Most church planting candidates participate in assessment at the request of a sponsoring district or parent church, which pays their registration and travel expenses. During the assessment process candidates (and their spouses, if married) explore their own temperaments, spiritual gift mix, and personality preferences. They receive a private session with a qualified Christian psychologist to review results of useful tests. They are observed in a variety of group activities that give assessors insight into both their leadership traits and their sensitivity to important church planting issues. Behavior-focused interviews are conducted to help candidates and assessors discern areas of strength and weakness.

The process is both intense and enjoyable. The assessment team gathers information and observations to provide each candidate, their spouse, and their sponsoring agency (usually a district or parent church) one of three possible group recommendations:

1. Proceed now as a lead church planter
2. Deal with some specific issues before becoming a lead church planter; or
3. Do not serve in a lead church planter role

No one "fails" the assessment process. Sure, some people discover that their ministry skills are best suited for assignments other than being the leader of a church planting team, but they are then freed up to pursue the awesome plans God has for their lives.

The ultimate goal of the assessment center is two-fold:

1. For believers to be directed toward greater ministry effectiveness through deepened understanding of themselves and their God-given gifts.
2. For sponsoring agencies to have greater confidence in their placement decisions regarding prospective lead church planters.

For more information about the Wesleyan Church Planter Assessment Center, including dates, costs, and registration, visit our website at www.wesleyan.org/ecg or contact by email: uought2@wesleyan.org; or by phone: 317.774.3900.

Church planting is difficult work. We all know that. We also know that when a church plant doesn't make it, it's typically for reasons that could have been identified early on in the process. They tend to come in certain categories:

• Wrong motives (no clear sense of a call to reach the lost)
• Wrong situation (church planter doesn't fit the area they're going to)
• Wrong timing (the person and the place are right- the time's just not right yet)
• Wrong person (not gifted/called by God to be a church planter)

As a result of these issues, in 1998, the Wesleyan Church started studying group-based assessment models pioneered by other denominations and parachurch organizations, such as the Presbyterian Church, the Free Methodist Church, Church Multiplication Training Center, and New Church Specialties. With funding from the General Department of Evangelism and Church Growth (E&CG), the Kansas District of The Wesleyan Church piloted church planter assessments under the direction of the Reverend Genetta Herrera. In 2000 E&CG began sponsoring a regular schedule of four-day assessment events that have evaluated over 100 prospective church planting candidates and their spouses in the first four years, while training a growing team of skilled assessors.

Church Planter Assessment Centers are not training grounds for church planters. This is not where a person comes to learn about church planting and leaves with an action plan for their church plant. That comes after assessment. The purpose of the assessment process is to evaluate candidates in regard to a specific set of characteristics and leadership skills widely held as necessary for successful church planting.

Most church planting candidates participate in assessment at the request of a sponsoring district or parent church, which pays their registration and travel expenses. During the assessment process candidates (and their spouses, if married) explore their own temperaments, spiritual gift mix, and personality preferences. They receive a private session with a qualified Christian psychologist to review results of useful tests. They are observed in a variety of group activities that give assessors insight into both their leadership traits and their sensitivity to important church planting issues. Behavior-focused interviews are conducted to help candidates and assessors discern areas of strength and weakness.

The process is both intense and enjoyable. The assessment team gathers information and observations to provide each candidate, their spouse, and their sponsoring agency (usually a district or parent church) one of three possible group recommendations:

1. Proceed now as a lead church planter;
2. Deal with some specific issues before becoming a lead church planter; or
3. Do not serve in a lead church planter role.

No one "fails" the assessment process. Sure, some people discover that their ministry skills are best suited for assignments other than being the leader of a church planting team, but they are then freed up to pursue the awesome plans God has for their lives.

The ultimate goal of the assessment center is two-fold:

1. For believers to be directed toward greater ministry effectiveness through deepened understanding of themselves and their God-given gifts.
2. For sponsoring agencies to have greater confidence in their placement decisions regarding prospective lead church planters.

For more information about the Wesleyan Church Planter Assessment Center, including dates, costs, and registration, visit our website at www.wesleyan.org/ecg or contact by email: uought2@wesleyan.org; or by phone: 317.774.3900.

Who Should Be Assessed?

Church planting is not for everyone (otherwise, what would be the purpose of "church planter assessment"?). So, how do you know if you should be assessed? Start by asking yourself a few simple questions:

1. Do you often find yourself having thoughts like, "Someone really ought to start a church in ________ (a specific neighborhood, community or region) to reach ________ (a certain group, generation or type of people) there"?
2. Do you have a deep conviction that people are "lost" apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - matched by an active habit of helping seekers and believers connect in ways that help both grow spiritually?
3. Do you (and your spouse, if married) have a willingness to work hard and make personal sacrifices in order to impact a whole neighborhood, community or region that is currently unreached (or under-reached) by other churches?
4. When you share a dream with others, do they become excited and actively join you in forming new groups, going to work, and turning those dreams into reality?

Whether you are a lay person, licensed or ordained minister, church staff member, missionary, or second-career or retired person ready for a new challenge, if your answer is "yes" to each of these questions, you may be interested in moving on to a "Pre-Assessment Screening." Here are some options to consider:

1. Do a self-test. One tool is available at www.wesleyan.org/ecg. Click on "Church Multiplication." Then choose the "Church Planter's Resource Manual" on the left-hand navigation bar. You will find a self-test in Part 1 - "Is God Talking to You about Church Planting?"
2. Ask your district superintendent for a "Pre-Assessment Screening" interview. This is can be done by phone or in person. You will be invited to share why and how you believe you should be involved in church planting. Next, you will be asked a series of exploratory questions in several critical areas related to church planting success. Your interviewer will help you decide whether or not formal assessment is a good next step for you.
3. Let the General Department of Evangelism and Church Growth at Wesleyan World Headquarters help you. Call and ask to speak to someone about "Pre-Assessment Screening." We can put you in touch with a district leader to conduct an exploratory conversation about church planting. Or, if you are not ready for this, we will do a phone interview with you ourselves.

What Is Not Necessary For Assessment?

Education - Academic credentials are important, but not essential for a church planter. Theological training can be experienced "on the job."

Expericience - Previous pastoral know-how is desirable, but not essential.

Age, Gender or Marital Status - These are not determining factors for church planter effectiveness.

Ordination - Ordination is not mandatory. The Wesleyan tradition honors lay-led ministries and provides opportunities for candidates to acquire ministerial credentials along the way.

Knowledge of Church Planting - An understanding of church planting concepts is helpful, but not a pre-requisite. Every church plant is different and every church planter has a unique learning curve.

How To Find A Sponsor

Although individuals can register and pay their own way to assessment, it is best to seek a sponsorship by a district, parent church or other church planting agency. The effort exerted in finding a sponsor is a good first test of whether or not you can share a dream others want to help fulfill. It also opens the door to an on-going relationship that can result in significant spiritual and material support for any church plant you may actually lead in the future

To find a sponsor, talk to your current ministry supervisor, senior pastor (if you are a staff person) or a trusted church leader about your interest in attending the Wesleyan Church Planter Assessment Center. It is best to choose someone with whom you can envision a long-term partnership as a potential church planter.

When And How To Register, Schedule and Costs

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• January 20-23, 2009 Wesleyan Headquarters, Fishers, IN
• April 14-17, 2009 Wesleyan Headquarters, Fishers, IN
• August 17-21, 2009 Wesleyan Headquarters, Fishers, IN

ASSESSMENT CENTER COSTS:

The registration fee for candidates sponsored by Wesleyan districts or parent churches is $990 (the General Department of Evangelism and Church Growth provides an additional $510 scholarship to round out the full cost of assessment). Candidates not sponsored by a Wesleyan agency pay $1,500. The registration fee covers the following:

• Pre-assessment preparation kit (includes application and reference forms, hospitality and travel information, authorization and release form, spiritual gifts inventory, conflict management style inventory, daily schedule and other tools and information).
• Limited assessment center-provided airport and hotel shuttle service.
• On-site, psychologist-administered tests and interpretation.
• A one-hour personal interview with a licensed Christian counselor.
• All on-site assessment team services and printed materials.
• Lunches, supper and snacks Tuesday through Thursday (Monday supper and breakfasts are on your own or at your hotel).
• Candidate exit interview and personal assessment report.
• Sponsoring agency follow-up report.

Registration does not include lodging, travel, unscheduled meals, non-assessment center provided shuttles, or other personal expenses.

REGISTRATION

• Registration Form

Next Steps After Assessment

Discuss the assessment team's recommendation with your sponsor. The Assessment Center does not take an active role in placement, but it does pave the way for deeper dialogue with church planting sponsors. Those whose gifts and calling to church planting leadership are affirmed will want to discuss actual appointment by their sponsoring district or parent church. Those who do not receive a positive recommendation to become a "lead" church planter should also discuss assessment findings and insights with their ministry supervisor. There may still be a suitable role as a church planting "support team member" that would better utilize your gifts and ministry passion. Remember, not being recommended as a lead church planter is not a statement about other church leadership potential.

Learn more about church planting. Additional information and helps for potential and active church planters are available at E&CG's website at www.wesleyan.org/ecg. Click on "Resources" then "Articles" to locate "The Wesleyan Church Planter's Resource Manual"&mdasha;helpful tool you will want to explore. You will also find a full bibliography of additional church planting resources to explore.

Participate in a church planter training experience. Church planter "boot camps" are designed to help you develop a strategic plan for the specific new church you would like to start. The Wesleyan Church's preferred provider for group church planter training is New Church University (visit www.newchurchspecialties.org for schedules and registration information). Some prefer customized, one-on-one training experiences. Call E&CG for a free referral to church planting consultants who offer face-to-face, on-site strategic planning assistance.

Secure the services of a church planting coach. Leadership development coaching maximizes leadership effectiveness. The Wesleyan Church highly recommends that every planter (new or experienced) receive coaching from a qualified church planter coach while implementing their church planting strategy. Coach referrals are available from E&CG or New Church Specialties if needed

What's In It For Me?

Satisfaction: Knowing you are helping to make a difference in the lives of others.

New learning: As you coach someone you learn from their passion, style and heart. You'll also pick up fresh ideas from the person you're coaching, some of which you may want to incorporate into your own situation.

MONEY: Yes, that's right...cold hard cash. We put it last because we're hoping your motives are purer than the average person's, but, there is a financial side to this whole thing. Coaches typically receive income from the person who is planting or daughtering a church. The specific amount is decided upon between the sponsoring agency and the coach.

What Kind Of Commitment Do I Need To Give To This?

The typical relationship between a church planter and coach is for a one hour phone conversation each month. Obviously this is negotiable between coaches and church planters.

What's The Next Step?

In a word: Training. We want to make sure everyone feels great about the contribution you are making into a church planter's life, which is why we've designed a day 1/2 training session designed to help make you the best church planting coach you can be. Now, unlike some training you might have been to in the past, this is training put on BY church planters FOR church planters.

Which means we're going to have FUN and lots of it while we cover the bases that need to be covered.

Once you've been trained, you will be ready to coach church planters and will soon after be put on our website as a recommended coach in the church multiplication movement.

Miscellaneous