In 2008 we're working toward taking our assessing system to a new level and we're announcing the launching of the Growing Healthy Churches Network Discovery Center.

The Discovery Center is designed to help leaders discern if they are wired for planting.  The center will include:

• Multiple Advisers
  Proverbs 24 tells us that "many advisers" are needed to engage in spiritual warfare.  The Discovery Center staff will consist of experienced assessors who know how to assist ministers in transition as they explore church planting.  I've directed the TeAMerica Church Planting Assessment Center for the past ten years, but have recently stepped down from that position in order to focus on launching our Discovery Center. Quality counselors, administrators and directors have agreed to help us at GHC as we work toward offering a new and improved assessment product.
  
  
• Multiple Days
  The Discovery Center will take place over 3+ days so that staff and candidates have ample time to consider the best fit for ministry.
  
  
• Multiple Exercises
  Candidates will participate in a wide array of exercises, interviews and instructions so they can look at themselves from different viewpoints.
  
  
• Multiple Tools
  The GHCN Discovery event will utilize several testing tools, such as the Gallup StrenghtsFinder instrument, the Myers-Briggs type indicator and the DISC test, in helping candidates clearly understand their wiring.
  
  
• Multiple Outcomes
  Candidates will be given thorough feedback from the Discovery Center staff regarding next steps in ministry.  Those suited for church planting will be pointed toward the next steps and support systems within the GHC Network.  Those who seem best suited for other ministry endeavors will be steered toward some specific exploration paths such as pursuing the lead pastor of an existing church, an associate role, a campus pastor position, missionary work, team roles or other leadership opportunities--we want to help leaders discover their best fit.
  
  
• Multiple Opportunities
  The first GHC Network Discovery Center will take place March 10-13, 2008 at Discovery Church in Elk Grove, CA.  Other Discovery Centers are scheduled for June 16-19, in Northern California; July 29-August 1 in Charlotte, NC; and September 29-October 2 at the Green Lake Conference Center in WI.  Other Discovery Center dates may be added in 2008.