Who pays for CPAC?
How much does CPAC cost?
What is the CPAC schedule?
How does CPAC work?
What does "assessment" mean?
What does this experience mean to me?
How are CPAC findings documented?
Who will know my CPAC findings?
Is my spouse required to participate?
Who pays for
CPAC? Most candidates will be sponsored through CPAC by a church or church
planting agency. On several occasions, candidates have sponsored themselves as a
preparatory step to church planting in the future or even a self-awareness step to answer
“Is church planting for me?”
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How much does CPAC cost? The CPAC fee is paid in two parts: a
non-refundable deposit of $500 that guarantees your spot and applies to your total costs,
and a final payment of $995 (single) or $1,195 (married) due about 3 weeks prior to CPAC. Payments received after due
date incur $150 late fee. Date of postmark will satisfy deadline. Most centers fill well
in advance and your deposit should be paid as early as possible.
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What is the CPAC schedule? You will arrive at the CPAC site
on the afternoon of the first day, check into the hotel and get settled. From that point
until you leave you will be completely involved in activities designed to help you
determine and refine your call to church planting or other ministry. It is a full 3 days
and you will be free to leave by mid-afternoon on the third day after you arrive.
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How does CPAC
work? A Church Planting Assessment Center is an intensive multi-day experience
which combines interviews, interactive exercises, individual and group presentations, and
written evaluations by peers, assessors, and the candidates themselves. The combination of
these elements is fast-paced and grueling. Much like the early months of a church plant,
CPAC tests and refines the resolve of each candidate and her/his spouse.
Interviews by licensed professionals in the psychological disciplines interpret results
from analytical instruments completed prior to CPAC. In an overview with the professional,
each candidate or candidate couple has the opportunity to question and understand
standardized testing results. Following the interview, the psychologist will provide a
written summary for the final CPAC report. All aspects of the private session will not
necessarily be shared with other assessment staff.
Exercises during CPAC range from brief, fun group projects to more extensive work that
lasts over many hours. Candidates dress comfortably and expend themselves in activities
that involve consensus decision making, active listening, and pressurized circumstances
which can be stressful. All candidates are encouraged to arrive at their CPAC site well
rested and ready to work hard.
Feedback from both assessors and other candidates becomes very helpful over the course of
CPAC. By combining the observations of many, each individual is able to develop a
"snapshot" of how s/he is perceived by peers and others. These insights are
invaluable in predicting future outcomes for the church planter and the church planting
team.
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What does “assessment” mean? During World
War I the German Army realized the need to determine which soldiers were the best
candidates for becoming officers. College diplomas were inadequate as predictors of
success, so an assessment process was developed. Later, large corporations identified a
similar need to qualify employees for upper management. Drawing on the German model, a
quantifiable process was developed to prepare better leaders for big business. Industrial
psychologists, familiar with military and corporate assessment, have applied a similar
assessment process to stemming the tide of attrition in the ranks of foreign missionaries.
Placing enthusiastic people in posts for which they were unprepared or unqualified showed
itself to be extremely counterproductive and damaging to individuals. For the last two
decades, assessment has been used by church planting strategists across North America.
Borrowing from experts like Dr. Thomas Graham and Dr. Charles Ridley, a process has been developed to help
interested candidates determine their giftedness and readiness for church planting, either
as the leader of a team, a member of a team, or as a "solo" church planting
pastor.
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What does the experience mean to me? The experience you
are about to have could be a significant spiritual event in your life. The Church Planting
Assessment Center staff are committed to helping you, in a spirit of love and support,
discover God’s direction for your ministry and life. If you are married, you and your
spouse must attend together—you will be glad for the shared learning.
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How are CPAC findings documented? Following your CPAC, you
will receive (usually within 15 days) a comprehensive written report of the assessment
staff’s findings and recommendations. Before you leave the center, you will be
debriefed by one or more assessors and the content of your final assessment will be
shared. The original report is emailed in pdf format and you may order a CD copy at an
additional charge.
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Who will know my CPAC results? CPAC is a
“closed” process and confidentiality is strictly maintained. Reports are
provided only to sponsoring organizations and candidates unless specifically requested in
writing by a candidate.
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Is my spouse required to participate? Your spouse should
respond to all required items in the enrollment packet and as many of the optional items
as possible. This collection of information gives us maximum opportunity to help you (and
your spouse) assess your gifts, passions, issues, and opportunities. Your spouse is
required to attend CPAC with you, and will be encouraged to participate as appropriate in
all activities. Some activities are spouse optional, but most include spouses in much the
same way as they would participate in a new church plant, whether or not they are paid
staff members.
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