I have the privilege of working with many, if not most, of our new workers as they journey through the process of licensing, ultimately becoming part of a church ministry team. For some, they are becoming part of a team that is comprised of a large pastoral staff, coupled with administrative and executive support. For others, they become the team and in their church context, they primarily work with volunteers to carry out the church’s vision and values. Each one of these situations can be complex and challenging. God has given each one of us unique and varied gifts and abilities which need to be understood if they are to be utilized effectively.
The primary mechanism that the CPD Office uses to help our workers understand more about who God has created them to be is the Grip-Birkman assessment. Grip-Birkman combines two assessment methods into one in-depth tool that evaluates how a person interacts with others in their natural behaviour level and the spiritual level. Another intrinsic value of the tools is the ability to better understand how one’s team functions together. If we can see ourselves and others as God sees us, with our God designed strengths, weaknesses, and needs, then we will be better able to commit to becoming disciples of Christ and reaching the unreached.
If you are an official worker and have yet to be coached through these assessments, give the CPD office a call at 604-372-1922 or contact us at cpdoffice@pacificdistrict.ca. One of our Lead Team members would love to have the opportunity to journey with you through them. We would love to walk your team through an exercise where you see how everyone “fits”. What strengths does each person on the team bring? How do communicate more effectively with each other? What are your team’s stress responses? Again, get a hold of us and we can work with you to schedule one of these team events.
Psalm 139:13-14 states, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Each one of us is valuable to God. Allow the Grip-Birkman tools to help deepen your understanding of how He has created you.
