Created: 2012-11-14 10:37:20
How do you know if someone can effectively start a new church? That is the question church planter assessment attempts to answer. It is critical to make sure the process is designed to discover both aptitude and readiness.
Aptitude refers the aspects of personality, gifting, and ability that are given by God. These qualities are present in a person’s life by the will and work of God. When God gave instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 35) everyone was asked to bring a gift, but Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, and the skill, ability and knowledge to make artistic designs of gold, silver and bronze. Bezalel had been given the aptitude to build the tabernacle by God.
A person with an aptitude, can use it well or ignore it. A person without aptitude can try to get it by hard work and practice, but will never be as effective as someone who was given it. Thus, if a person lacks the basic aptitude of a church planter nothing they do is going to change that. They should use their gifts and abilities where they will be more effective.
Readiness refers to the aspects of character, discipline and maturity that are developed by practice. These qualities develop in a person’s life as they submit to the will of God and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2) that in order to be used for noble purposes he must be clean.
A person could have the aptitude for church planting, but not be ready right now. They may need further development of their character or maturity before assuming such an important responsibility. Conversely, a person could demonstrate the most wonderful Christ like character possible, but not have the aptitude for planting.
A good assessment process will help assessors and planters discover both aptitude and readiness and based on that discovery make wise recommendations that result in individual effectiveness and church multiplication.