One of the important responsibilities of a ministry leader is the recruitment and development of team members.  But how do you determine the skills of your team or determine the skill gaps in your current ministry team?

The Ministry Skills Assessment, available free below, will help you do that.

It is one of the tools we’ve found helpful at Rockbridge Seminary.  The assessment is designed around the five purposes of the church.  It identifies 35 competencies for effective ministry.   No one person has all of the spiritual gifts or is well developed in every ministry competency.   For example, not every person is gifted in evangelism.  Some have excellent skills in discipleship, but lack skills in worship. That is why a team is needed to minister to the whole body of Christ.

Just because you are weak in a specific ministry skill doesn't necessarily mean you need to strengthen that ability.  Rather than spending time improving skills you rarely use, it is better to work from your strengths.  Your ministry calling may not require the development of certain skills.  The Ministry Skills Assessment can help you evaluate the gifts on your ministry team and where your team may need additional help to meet the needs of your church or ministry.

Here are several ways to use the Ministry Skills Assessment:

1.     Evaluate your personal ministry skills and then design a plan for self-improvement.  Your learning plan may include reading, conferences, taking a class at seminary, or being mentored by a skilled practitioner.

2.     Ask your entire team to take the assessment and compare the strengths and weaknesses of your team.   Where are you strong?  Where are you struggling?  What skills does your team lack?

3.     After taking the assessment discuss with your ministry team what skills they would like to strengthen and design a development plan for your team.

4.     Use the Ministry Skills Assessment to evaluate prospective team members.  This will help you better utilize their giftedness and also to be intentional about expanding the skills of your ministry team.

The Ministry Skills Assessment is free and takes about 10 minutes to complete.  Use the assessment to take your team to the next level.  If you would like more information on the assessment, or to see the national averages of the responses, you may contact ministryskills@rsconnect.org.

Links:

Rockbridge Seminary: www.rockbridgeseminary.org

Ministry Skills Assessment:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9CRJ9V9

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