Assessment is the process of discerning whether a potential church planter is called to plant a church and whether the person is right for a specific new work.  Assessment is often broken down into a pre-assessment (self-assessment) and a formal assessment (assessment by an independent group or organization).

Pre-assessment (self-assessment) often includes the completion of a Myers Briggs Temperament Indicator, a DISC personality profile, and spiritual gifts profile.   Additionally, most pre-assessments include a test of a potential planter against Dr Charles Ridley's 13 knockout factors for church planters.  The Evangelical Free Church of America and the North American Mission Board have two of the best pre-assessment profiles available online.  Click here (EFCA or NAMB to download a copy).  Most of the organizations listed below under assessment have some form of these tests/profiles built into their processes.

The formal assessment can be as short as one day, but is more often 3-5 days in length.  A formal assessment is often done in a group setting with other potential planters and includes a combination of interviews, group exercises, essays, and assignments.  The evaluation team observes the potential planters in a number of different situations.   Most assessments result in a detailed report and a formal out brief.  For example, the Church Planting Assessment Center's team produces a 50+ page report on each candidate.  This report includes strengths as well as weaknesses and makes a recommendation as to a candidates ability to plant a church within the next 2 years.

Click here for additional information about church planter assessments.

Assessment Centers

Church Planting Assessment Center (CPAC)

Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA)

Emerging Leadership Initiative (ELI)

Stadia New Church Strategies

Dynamic Church Planting International

Global Church Advancement

Outreach North America

New Church Initiatives

Northwest Church Planting

PCA - Mission to North America

Church Planting Ministries

Fresh Start Ministries

Praxis Center for Church Development

Assemblies of God

Bootcamp

Unlike assessments, boot camps are designed to teach and equip the planter in how to be the best possible planter.  Boot camps are often 3 to 5 days in length and include experienced speakers, reading, practical exercises, and discussions.  Boot camp is often attended after assessment.

Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA)

Church Planting Solutions (CPS)

The Church Multiplication Training Center (CMTC)

Acts 29 Network

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