As a district, it is our prayerful desire that all our pastors and churches experience vital and growing partnerships. For that reason, we seek to use the best resources available, ever dependent on God's sovereign direction, to connect the "right leader with the right church at the right time"

As a fellowship of churches, we believe that Ministry Placement Network offers the best opportunity to accomplish this goal for both pastoral candidates and churches seeking pastoral leadership.

For Pastoral Candidates:

Ministry Placement Network is a placement service that uses the latest survey technology to match a pastor's skills and gifts, to churches that are in a pastoral search. The "Connection Collection" for ministry leaders includes "Ministry Match", an assessment tool especially created for ministry leaders. It is one of the most widely used ministry matching instruments available. It specifically measures:

• ministry gifts
• values
• temperament
• motivation
• leadership style
• participation style

The second part of the kit, "Ministry Leader Profile," is a comprehensive collection of personal information including:

• ministry desire and experiences
• marital, social, ethical, legal issues
• doctrinal position
• ministry philosophy
• references

Once a candidate has completed the kit, the results are immediately available to be downloaded for his/her personal consideration. There are also instructions for uploading the information online to Ministry Placement Network's database, where it has the potential for being matched by a number of churches nationwide.

(In addition, we recommend each candidate fill out the Gallop "StrengthsFinder" inventory, which is an excellent tool for assessing personal strengths and inclinations. The book containing this inventory is entitled Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Buckingham and Clifton and can be purchased by clicking on the above Amazon.com link).

The Leader's Ministry Placement Network Kit is available for $120 by ordering from Converge MidAtlantic office or by printing off the Ministry Connect Leader's Application form on this web site, and mailing the application form and your $120 payment to Converge MidAtlantic office. This price includes a consultation about your "StrengthsFinder" results.

For Churches in the Pastoral Search Process:

The Church Connection Collection includes "Church Profile," an instrument specially designed to assist the church in assessing its needs in categories similar to those used in the "Connection Collection" completed by pastoral candidates. It lists the church's needs in terms of:

• ministry gifts
• ministry values
• temperament
• motivation
• leadership style
• participation style
• ministry experience
• doctrinal position
• ministry philosophy

The Church Questionnaire is designed to measure the church's desires regarding leadership needs. Coaching materials, in the form of a video presentation and printed materials designed to lead the church through the process, are included in the kit.

This tool is available for $350 by contacting Converge MidAtlantic office or by completing the Church Connection Collection Kit application form located on this web site, and mailing the $350 fee to Converge MidAtlantic office.

A pastoral vacancy often provides a congregation the opportunity to evaluate its mission and vision during the process of determining the qualities it is seeking in a new pastor. Converge MidAtlantic can provide valuable orientation and training for Search Committees and other consultation services to churches in transition, including assistance in securing interim pastoral assistance or short-term pulpit supply.

For more information, please contact Gary Schroeder at Converge MidAtlantic office at 330.757.7970 or gary@bgcmideast.com.