ReStart Assessment:
NCS currently enjoys a referral relationship with several denominations who run their own denominational Assessment Centers. We encourage our judicatory partners to use these Assessment Centers. We also have highly skilled New Church Specialties staff members, Lonnie Bullock & Jeanette Trotter who have been trained through Dr. Charles Ridley, the founder and pioneer of church planter assessments in the United States.
As a service to our Partners, NCS provides 1-day Behavioral Interview Assessments for our Partners whose denominations either do not provide Assessment Centers or who need an on-site assessment quickly. Our Behavioral Interview Assessments are designed to evaluate a candidate's abilities and skills in the 13 Characteristics of the Church Planter's Profile designed by Dr Ridley. A self-assessment, introductory guide of these characteristics is below. We have designed this for our partner’s use as an informal assessment tool.
Church Planter Self-Assessment Exercise:
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.
The Apostle Paul (Galatians 6:4)
Perhaps you've been wondering if you have the abilities and skill it takes to be a church planter. Or maybe you are a denominational supervisor wanting to do an informal assessment. This short self-assessment exercise will help you to become more familiar with the 13 key characteristics that research shows many church planters share. Rate your response level of competence in each of the 13 Church Planter qualities (with 5 being the highest).
- Has a "visionizing" capacity.
- persuasively sells the vision to people
- believes in God’s capacity to accomplish great things
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Is intrinsically motivated.
- has stick-to-itiveness and is persistent
- is a self starter and is willing to build from nothing
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Ability to create ownership of ministry.
- helps others to feel responsible for the growth and success of the ministry
- wins the commitment of people to the vision
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Ability to relate to the unchurched people.
- communicates in a style easily understood by the unchurched
- understands the "psychology" or mentality of the unchurched
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Manages family well.
- has a spouse who is a partner in the ministry according to his/her gifts
- models wholesome family life before the church and the community
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Effectively builds relationships.
- makes others feel secure and comfortable in your presence
- does not respond in a judgmental or prejudicial fashion to new people
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Committed to church growth.
- appreciates steady and consistent growth without looking for "quick success"
- is committed to numerical growth within the context of spiritual and relational growth
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Responsive to the community.
- understands the culture of the community
- adapts the philosophy of ministry to the character of the community
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Utilizes the giftedness of others.
- releases and equips people to do the task of ministry
- matches people with ministry needs and opportunities according to giftedness
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Flexibility and adaptability.
- can cope effectively with ambiguity
- copes effectively with constant and abrupt change
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Building a cohesive church body.
- quickly includes newcomers into a network of relationships or meaningful church activities
- monitors the morale of the people
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Resilience and determination.
- can ride the ups and downs
- can rebound from loss, disappointments and failures
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
- Exercises faith.
- believes in the power of God
- his life is marked by expectation and hope
- Are you one who: 1 2 3 4 5
If this sounds like you or the person you are informally assessing, maybe it is time for a formal assessment. For entrance into New Church University as a fully enrolled NewStart or ReStart church planter, some type of assessment is required. For information about Assessment options, contact the New Church Specialties Arizona Office, office@newchurchspecialties.org or (480) 659-2547.
