The MinistryMatch Assessment is a multiple-construct tool developed to measure the elements of an individual's life that are directly related to Christian ministry. The MinistryMatch was originally developed by Bob Gilliam, a church consultant, and Steve Johnson, a professional Christian vocational assessment counselor, in the mid 1980's. Gilliam had previously started the church consulting ministry for Denver Seminary and was in charge of placement for the Evangelical Free Church of America. He needed tools to assess pastors and church staff.
Unfortunately all available tools (DiSC behavioral profile MBTA, TJTA, etc) had one or more of the following problems:
- Measured only one or a few of the needed constructs.
- Were worded for secular vocation, and not for ministry.
- Included negative elements of constructs, so Jesus after whom we are to model, could not answer these.
- Measured psychological pathology, not ministry issues.
- Were not normed for church staff.
The MinistryMatch Assessment was designed with the following unique characteristics:
- It measures seven different constructs including temperament, motivated role, leadership style, participation style, ministry gifts, and ministry values. Ninety-nine elements are measured within these seven constructs. Thus, virtually every issue important to ministry is measured in one assessment.
- The questions in MinistryMatchPro are worded to fit ministry settings. The wording for MinistryMatchLaity questions is adjusted to fit the general population who may be administrative staff, board members or other volunteers.
- Questions measure only positive issues, those that are a part of the image and character of Christ.
- MinistryMatchPro is normed for "staff members" in Christian churches and Christian ministries (para-church, seminary, denominations, etc.).
- Some constructs and elements are added that are important to ministry but not included in other tests.
- Many elements mixed together and invisible in other tests are unbundled and explicit in the MinistryMatch.
As a result, MinistryMatch is one of the most widely used tools to evaluate and place persons in ministry, both for placement of professional staff in churches and organizations as well as recruitment and placement of lay leaders inside their own churches.