Church Planting

Am I a Church Planter?

Answer the following questions on a 5-point scale
5 = strongly agree, 4 = agree, 3 = neutral, 2 = disagree, 1 = strongly disagree

note: your first impression is usually most accurate

The best way to do this is to make 4 copies of this form—take the questionnaire yourself and then give the other questionnaires to 3 people who know you well and have them fill it out regarding you. Compare their answers with yours.

Section A
54321
I have an exceptionally close relationship with God.
I have regular deep devotional times.
I have seen evidence of powerfully answered prayer.
I rely on God to do the work of ministry.
My walk with God is more important than my ministry success.
54321
I communicate openly and warmly with my spouse. (If married; if not, do you communicate openly and warmly with your family and friends.)
My family is a demonstrable priority in how I use my time and energy.
I have strong spiritual connections with spouse and children. (If married; if not, do you have strong spiritual friendships.)
My family is excited about my ministry.
I have a growing relationship with my children. (If applicable; if not, do you have a strong relationship with your parents and siblings.)
In my family love and discipline are balanced.
54321
I am very committed to truth telling and doing the right thing.
Others describe me as being honest and authentic.
Others would say I am a person of my word and do things without hyperbole or exaggeration.
I have shown financial reliability.
I am faithful in small things.
Section B
54321
I have great self-confidence.
I have excellent self-understanding of my personality.
I have the ability to accept criticism.
I easily affirm others.
I can articulate my strengths and weaknesses.
54321
I intentionally seek out peers and mentors for feedback.
I am aware of my personal strengths and weaknesses.
I get feedback from a variety of people on growth issues.
Others would describe me as not being ‘defensive.
54321
People say that I have enormous energy.
I have a great work ethic.
I have a strong internal drive and motivation.
People say that I do not give up easily.
I constantly set visionary goals and achieve them.
I have the ability to develop others so they can much of the work of ministry.
I work hard but usually do not cross line into workaholism.
Section C
54321
I can communicate a clear, compelling vision for a new church.
I can paint a picture of what the future will look and feel like for the church God is calling me to plant.
I often challenge the “status quo” and constantly look for better ways to do things.
I can express an integrated philosophy of ministry.
Others are consistently attracted to the vision I cast and have been willing to sacrifice for it.
54321
Others say I have obvious leadership abilities.
People naturally want to follow me in doing new things.
I have been able to build strong teams who get things done.
I have an understanding of various leadership styles and am able to adapt my leadership to fit the need of the situation.
People seek out my leadership and ask for my advice.
I have led large successful organizations.
54321
I know how to identify and connect with strong lay leaders.
I am experienced and successful at hiring and working with staff.
I have a record of effective training and equipping of lay leaders.
I invest time and energy in relationships with other leaders.
I have been able to start many small groups and/or ministry teams that continued to reproduce and that continue in effectiveness over time.
54321
I can read a situation and know when and how to lead.
I discern leadership issues quickly.
I can get through quickly to a deeper level with other leaders.
Others would say that I know how to vary leadership style to fit the situation.
I know when to lead and when to listen.
Section D
54321
People describe me as a powerful preacher.
When people hear me speak they often experience the Holy Spirit’s power.
I have the ability to grab and holds the attention of people I’m speaking to.
People frequently comment on the insights they get from my presentations of Biblical truths.
I have the ability to mix ideas, images and emotion in an authentic way when I speak.
Others comment that I am able to apply God’s words with unusual power, clarity and passion.
When speak I have a strong rapport with my audience.
54321
I articulate a strong Biblical foundation in preaching and leading.
I have a deep Scriptural understanding that underlies all my ministry values.
I have an exceptional understanding of the Gospel and God’s grace and this undergirds how I develop my messages and ministry.
I have the ability to make Scripture practical without seeming shallow.
Section E
54321
I am exceptional at working with staff and lay leaders to create many strong ministries.
The people and volunteers in my ministry would say that my leadership creates great enthusiasm and satisfaction in them.
I have the ability to know when, where and how to best invest my energy.
I am constantly reading and learning so as to be a more effective leader.
I have the ability to raise significant funds for ministry.
54321
I have discipled many people over the years who have in turn have discipled others.
I can articulate a clear plan and system for producing spiritual growth in others.
I know how to motivate others toward spiritual growth.
I have the ability to recruit and train gifted leaders who can help move the ministry forward.
Section F
54321
People often comment on my excellent interpersonal skills.
People describe me as being very good “one to one.”
I have the ability to project warmth and acceptance to people.
People seek me out because of my exceptional listening skills.
I have exceptional ability to develop and work with groups.
54321
I can give many examples of people who have followed my leadership.
I have a strong instinct for how to create people movements.
I constantly am inviting people to come to church and/or to come to Christ.
The people I have led say that I am great at developing ownership.
I have a knack for creating strong alliances with many people.
54321
I have shown unusual ability to lead people to Christ.
Evangelism is a very high value for me and my ministry.
I train others how to evangelize.
I am able to find new adaptations in evangelism that result in more conversions.
I am able to integrate evangelism into the life of the church.
54321
I constantly plan and find ways to solve problems.
I love to start new projects.
I seem to get an extraordinary amount accomplished in life.
I love a challenge and I find ways to spend time on critical areas.
Others say that I continually generate more than seems possible.
54321
I have a strong understanding of both general group dynamics and large group dynamics.
Others would say that I instinctively know how to keep a group very encouraged, engaged, and invested.
I am excellent at creating a sense of ownership among lay people.
Section G
54321
I believe the Bible as the Word of God and only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct.
I believe in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the means of spiritual growth and maturity.
I see the church as a fellowship of believers that promotes spiritual growth and that makes a missional impact on the community.
I understand that pastors must represent the whole church while respecting individual interpretation.
I understand that the Covenant baptizes infants and adults and would be comfortable ministering in a denomination where that occurs.
I understand that the Covenant ordains women and would be comfortable ministering in a denomination where there will be male and female colleagues.
I would be comfortable working in a Covenant church where the local membership votes on annual budgets, lay leaders, pastors, and building projects.
I have an M.Div degree; or, would be willing to take classes to enrich my biblical and theological understanding of ministry.
I am a credentialed Covenant Pastor; or have thoroughly investigated credentialing for Covenant Ministers and am interested in being credentialed.
I would be willing to take classes while I plant a church that would introduce me to the Covenant.
I enthusiastically support the Mission and Values of the Covenant. (e.g. as it seeks to be “Biblical, Devotional, Missional, and Connectional.”)
I enjoy networking with local pastors for encouragement and ministry.
I am passionate about being part of a church-planting movement.
The church I plant will be a church-planting church.
I want to develop and release leaders who will plant other churches.
I want the church I plant to give generously toward mission at home and abroad.
Summary

If you scored 460 – 565, you may be a church planter.
If you scored 350 – 459, you may be a church planter, but have some key areas to work on.

In either case, you may be ready for a church planters assessment center where deeper insights will be given you about your readiness to plant a church.

If you scored less than 350, you may have significant areas to work on before considering church planting.

Contact:
Mike Brown, Director of Church Planting, Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
3106 47th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
mike@nwc-cov.org or 612-721-4893

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