Be assessed

Be assessed: find out if you are a potential church planter

The Geneva Push offers to assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential church planters - free of charge. We use a detailed evaluation process developed by experienced church planters.

Be warned: assessment is not quick and easy

It takes some time to complete the process. That's because we care about potential planters and want to make sure they are well prepared for the hard yards ahead. There are several documents to fill in and references to collect. Face to face interviews generally take place at our Multiply conference. Planters and their spouses will be assessed by at least two men experienced in start-up ministries, with one of their wives present. Applicants will also be required to submit a sermon for evaluation.

But it's worth persevering if you intend on breaking new ground in Australia. After all, if you're going to step into the work you want your eyes tested, not just counted. And we believe this process can be invaluable for helping you do the work on the ground, whatever stage your plant is up to.

When is a good time to get assessed?


If you have already begun planting your church, then you can apply at any time. If you are seeking to plant a church, appropriately gifted, convicted about the need, certain of the task which lies before you and you are between 12-24 months or less from starting your church, it is time to apply.

If you are unsure whether you are a church planter, do not have a clear conviction, lack giftedness, are uncertain of what you are to do, and/or do not have a timeline in place, it would be better to not submit an application with Geneva at this time. A helpful option may be to attend an upcoming Multiply and speak with current and experienced planters or email our GM, Scott Sanders.

Significant benefits

There are also significant benefits that flow from being assessed as a suitable church planter by The Geneva Push:

  • One-to-one coaching from a proven Australian church planter for three years
  • A network of planters to connect with who planted healthy churches or are breaking new ground
  • Regular training events run by The Geneva Push and partner networks, including the Geneva Refresh
  • Access to exclusive resources including the Church-In-A-Box starter's kit, containing all of the legal and technical documents necessary for starting a congregation in Australia

Here are the steps we recommend you follow in order to begin the assessment process:

  1. Connect with a church plant or a church planter and speak about what's involved.
  2. Register as a member of The Geneva Push website. Our online services assist in completing the assessment process, provide training and coaching opportunities, build community with other church planters, and keep you up to date on church planting opportunities through some of Australia's key networks and denominations.
  3. Attend Multiply conference. Our conferences are an integral part of the assessment process. They provide the opportunity to have one-to-one discussions with proven ministry leaders and church planters, and they are the primary venue for assessment interviews.
  4. Apply for assessment. Use the email form below to get your name down for assessment. There are a limited number of people who can be assessed at any one conference and preference will be given to those who have notified the assessment team and submitted the appropriate documents.

APPLY FOR ASSESSMENT

This form will allow you to apply for assessment as a church planter by The Geneva Push. You should expect to receive a reply email containing an outline of the assessment process and the preliminary documents to be filled out.

This form can also be used to request further information about the assessment process and its applicability to your situation.

Assessment request form