Event Schedule

• Candidates complete the Gallup University Church Planter Assessment.
• Candidates and Spouses complete a series of assessment tools in advance of attending the CPAC. Note: When a candidate is married both the candidate and spouse must attend the CPAC. No Children!
• One assessor per Candidate is appointed to interview the church planter candidate and his/her spouse.
• Participants receive a one hour personal interview with licensed Christian counselor.
• Candidates engage in "real life" activities (faith-sharing, two 5-minutes "stand up" sermons, etc.) which give insight into church planting giftedness and capacity.
• Sponsor congregations and districts receive a report of church planting capacity for the planter candidate.
• Candidates and spouses participate in Church Plant Team Projects as members of a launch team learning community and prepare a mission plan for a community.
• Candidates receive "peer evaluations" by other planters.
• Assessors review assessment material, interviews, work and interaction during the week and make a recommendation concerning the fitness of the Candidate to successfully plant.
• Candidate receives an exit interview and personal assessment report.
• Sponsoring agency receives a follow-up report.

Candidates and Spouses must complete and submit the following assessment items by the deadline. All items must be completed by this date to attend the CPAC.

• Gallup University Planter Assessment - This online assessment should be completed prior to registering for the CPAC. Contact Sandi Green, sandi.green@lcms.org, at LCMS World Mission for details on accessing this instrument. [Candidate only]
• Strength Finder Inventory
• DiSC Profile Inventory
• Spiritual Gifts Inventory
• Conflict Management Style Inventory
• Leadership Style Inventory
• Others as planners determine

Districts are responsible for the following.

• Identify and assess Church Planter Candidates with the Gallup University Planter Assessment.
• Cover the following costs for candidates and spouses (if applicable).
  • Travel
  • Lodging
  • Unscheduled meals
  • Non-assessment center provided shuttles/transportation including rental cars

Assessors and Scribes are carefully selected.

• Assessors should demonstrate the following qualities.

1. Visioning Capacity - Can see God's preferred future for the church and the community.
2. Intrinsically Motivated - Is a self-starter. Manages time effectively.
3. Creates Ownership Of Ministry - Is able to get others to "buy" into the vision.
4. Relates To The Unchurched - Is comfortable being around pre-Christian people.
5. Spousal Cooperation - The spouse supports and participates in the ministry.
6. Effectively Builds Relationships - Is a relational person who builds friendships easily and encourages others to do the same.
7. Committed To Church Growth - Pushes through the natural barriers to church growth.
8. Responsive To The Community - Designs ministries that fit the community and mission of the church.
9. Utilizes Giftedness Of Others - Understands how to help people identify their gifts and release them to use their gifts in unique ministries.
10. Flexible And Adaptable - Is comfortable with change. Can switch gears easily to adjust to change or take advantage of opportunities.
11. Builds Group Cohesiveness - Understands people and knows how to get them to pull together as a team.
12. Resilient - Not Easily Discouraged - Is emotionally and psychologically strong. Is not overwhelmed by criticism or setbacks.
13. Exercises Faith - Has a consistent walk with God and trusts God to provide the resources and personnel for the church.

• November 14-16, 2010 - St. Louis, MO
  

  I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED ... NOW WHAT?

After you are notified that you have been accepted into the CPAC:

• Church Planters click here to complete the Candidate Application.
• Candidate Spouses click here to complete the Spouse Application.
• Candidates have three (3) people complete the CPAC Candidate Reference Form.
  
• Pay the Registration Fee
  • By check: Payable to "Center for U.S. Missions" and mailed to:
    Center for U.S. Missions
    ATTN: CPAC
    1530 Concordia West
    Irvine, CA 92612-3203
  • By Credit Card use the Center for U.S. Missions online store

NOTE: All applications, references and assessment tools must be completed and submitted by the deadline in the email received by the candidate.

The registration fee for Candidates and Spouses sponsored by LCMS districts or parent churches is $1000 for single Church Planter Candidates and $1500 for Church Planter Candidates & Spouse. Under normal circumstances, the Sponsor (LCMS World Missions, District, Mother Congregation, Ablaze! Covenant Congregation, Mission Society or Network) cover the registration and travel costs of the Church Planter Candidate and Spouse.

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).
• On-site, psychologist-administered tests and interpretation.
• A one-hour personal interview with a licensed Christian counselor.
• All on-site assessment team interviews, services and printed materials.
• Candidate exit interview and personal assessment report.
• Sponsoring agency follow-up report.

Registration does not include lodging, travel, meals, non-assessment center provided shuttles/transportation including rental cars or other personal expenses.

Typically the sponsoring agency (district, mother church, or planting agency) pays for the planter, spouse (if applicable) travel, lodging, and meals. If you are a church planter candidate, contact your sponsoring agency to request assistance for these items.

You may pay the registration fee for the Church Planter Assessment Center in our secure online store using a credit card or by check made out to the Center for U.S. Missions.

• Pay Using Store

• To pay using a check send the full amount to:
  
  Center for U.S. Missions
  1530 Concordia DR W
  Irvine CA 92612-3203

Education - Academic credentials are important, but not essential for church planter assessment.  Theological training can be "on process' at the seminary - or experienced "on the job."

Experience - Previous pastoral and ministry experience is desirable, but not essential.

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

Ordination - Ordination is preferred but not mandatory.  Pre-ordination pastors (seminarians) who are considering eventual calling to church planting ministry are excellent candidates for CPAC.  The LCMS tradition honors lay-led ministries and the SMP (Special Ministries Program) to participate in CPAC as well.

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.

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 LCMS Church Planter Assessment Center.  It is best to choose someone with whom you can envision a long-term partnership as a potential church planter.

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 C4USM website at www.c4usm.org.  Click on "Resources" in the side-bar and select "All resources, by topic." 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 LCMS's preferred provider for group church planter training is Church Planting Essentials and Planting the Missional Church distance learning course.  Both learning experiences are presented by the Center for U.S. Missions (visit the BMPT page for schedules and registration information).

Secure the services of a church planting coach. Leadership development coaching maximizes leadership effectiveness.  The LCMS World Mission and C4USM highly recommend 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 the C4USM if needed.