Assessment
Discover your gifts for starting new ministries - find your joy.
"The best continuing education I've ever done." - 2014 DML participant
Discerning Missional Leadership Assessments are an important part of your development, because faithful and self-aware leaders propel new worshiping communities forward.
We want to make assessments available for everyone leading or considering leadership of a new worshiping community. We even have a process for teams. These assessments take place around the country in small groups, typically last 3-4 days, and are available to help anyone discern how they might better sustain or prepare for this important ministry.
During the Missional Leadership Assessment, you will work in teams of people going through the same process. You will take part in spiritual reflection and missional theological reflection about your context in ministry, do some team-work exercises, get insights on your leadership style, and take part in an in-depth behavioral interview process.
Our goal is to hold up a mirror to you that allows you to see your gifts and goals clearly, and to also know the kind of people you might want around you as you pursue a new thing. All participants will leave with concrete advice about next steps and a recommendation from the assessment team of, "it's a fit; it's not a fit; or it's a potential fit in the future."
Schedule and Cost
2016 DML Events:
August 28-31 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
2016 Registration Fee:
$675 for an Individual | $775 for a couple
Full-time Seminary Students (Non-DMin):
$325for an individual | $425 for a couple
This includes the cost of the assessment, housing, and most meals. Participants will need to provide transportation to the site along with funds for about two meals out unless otherwise noted. [The DML typically costs us over $1,800 per person, but we feel they are so important, we have supplemented the registration fee by over $1,000 for each participant.]
Details
Starting new worshiping communities is a life-giving work for those who have the call and capacity for it. “Discerning Missional Leadership” is designed to help discern the call and examine the leadership capacity of those interested in becoming lead church planters. The assessment encourages participation by spouses and potential team members who are called to help model and promote missional living. This three-plus day event will take into account: the planter’s personal history observations; perceptions that people have of them from different spheres of their life; observations from actual exercises with the group; responses to competency based interview questions; and results and observations as they relate to church planting from two separate inventories. There is also the opportunity for those being assessed to reflect on the experience and engage the group in how they see God at work at this time. At the end of this time, those being assessed will be given significant feedback on their readiness for the lead role in church planting, and what they can do to become ready for church planting, or the encouragement that their future ministry consists of apply their strengths in another context. Discerning fit is essential not merely for success but for enjoying the work. This assessment is for: individuals seeking insight and direction for church planting; for churches and other sponsoring groups to get feedback on the capacity of potential candidates to lead a new worshipinng community; and students seeking help preparing.
FAQ:
WHO DOES THE ASSESSMENT?
The assessors are a collection of experienced church planters, those who work in human resources for church planting organizations, and those who oversee church plants for denominations and church planting organizations.
WHAT ARE THE INVENTORIES USED?
We currently use KTS II (Keirsey Temperament Sorter); and Strengthsfinder 2.0. Those being assessed will receive these in our final reports.
WHERE DO THE RESULTS GO?
If an organization is sponsoring someone both parties get the results of the total assessment. If they are Presbyterian, we ask those who are positively assessed if we can pass their name to potential new church opportunities.
WHAT IF THE RESULT LEADS AWAY FROM CHURCH PLANTING?
Regardless of the outcome, this assessment will be invaluable in understanding more fully the unique talents you have for any ministry.