Psychological Testing Requirements Overview

An Overview the Psychological Testing Process And approved list of Testing Centers Thank you for interest in exploring ordained ministry with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. As our denomination continues to expand around the globe, we need more men and women who are healthy in all aspects of their life and who are willing to answer the call to proclaim and embody the love of Christ throughout the world. “In-care status” denotes that a person is officially sponsored by MCC to be enrolled in ministerial formation. Psychological and vocational aptitude testing is one of the new pieces of this larger application process for in-care status. This testing process is designed to assist us with discerning what is best for participants in ministerial formation and what is best for the church. Please read over these materials carefully. The predominant form of testing is composed of two-day programs that are designed for individual candidates. Although some questionnaire work is completed before the program, most of the testing happens during the two-day appointment. These two day programs include a full battery of psychological testing, as well as vocational aptitude testing. Depending on the test center, some testing may be completed in advance at a satellite location closer to the candidate. Please contact the center closest to you for details. After completing the program, the candidate will receive a written report of the testing results. Test results normally include in-depth character descriptions, profiles of strengths and weaknesses, and suggestions for future growth and development. The test results can take up to two months to be completed and delivered to the applicant. Once the written report is completed by the testing center, the applicant should review the results before deciding to release the report to the denomination. Once the report is reviewed by the applicant and released, the testing center will send a copy to the Office of Clergy Development. In some cases, candidates may wisely choose not to release their psychological report to the denomination and thus terminate or postpone their application for in-care status. In order to apply for In-Care status, applicants must release their psychological report.

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We have authorized eight testing centers across the United States. Look below for the list of test centers that have been approved by the Office of Formation and Leadership Development. Please note that the fees for this type of testing will range from $900.00 to $1900.00, depending on the center. The applicant is responsible for paying the fees and any other expenses associated with the testing process. Applicants may appeal to their local church for financial support. (See Endorsement of Local Church Board of Directors form.) Many of these test centers offer the possibility of an applicant’s partner to participate in the testing process. Although this is not required by the denomination, we believe it would be a valuable opportunity. The applicant is responsible for the surcharges associated with the inclusion of his or her partner. The written psychological report must be received by the Office of Formation and Leadership Development no later that two weeks before the REVM program begins. A REVM application file will be considered incomplete without the report. At the REVM retreat, applicants will meet with the formation team to review their psychological test results and to prepare a ministry action plan (MAP). Written reports should be mailed to: Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. P O Box 1374 Abilene, TX 79604 If you have any questions concerning the psychological testing process, please contact [email protected].

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Office of Formation and Leadership Development Expectations for Psychological and Vocational Testing and Reporting of Applicants for In-care Status 1. Candidates for In-Care status will be expected to receive between 6 and 10 hours of individual counseling and test interpretation as part of their total assessment program. 2. The candidate can expect that the testing, counseling, and test interpretation will require two full days. 3. At a minimum, each candidate is expected to take the following standardized tests and inventories: A. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) B. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) C. Strong Interest Inventory (SII) D. Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) Additional instruments may be used at the discretion of the counselor and in keeping with the needs of the individual candidates and specific requests of the Office of Formation and Leadership Development of MCC. 4. Issues which will be dealt with on a routine basis for all candidates: A. Pertinent background information, including family of origin, educational experiences, interpersonal relationships (including psycho-sexual history/development), work history, religious journey, medical/psychiatric history.

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B. Psychological Dimensions 1. Emotional health/absence of psychopathology 2. Ability to express a wide range of emotions 3. Ability to articulate strengths, skills, and weaknesses (growing edges) 4. Ability to handle stress 5. Absence of signs of psychosomatic illness or workaholism 6. Academic abilities 7. Level of defensiveness C. Social Dimensions 1. Warmth and openness 2. Awareness of self-presentation and impact on others 3. Physical presentation: appearance/grooming 4. Ability to relate to authority 5. Ability to handle interpersonal conflict D. Vocational Dimensions 1. Leadership potential 2. Understanding of call 3. Vocational interests 4. Awareness of sexual/professional ethics 5. Administrative/time management skills

5. The Office of Formation and Leadership Development of MCC will expect an extensive individualized, written report reviewing all of the issues listed above, unless a prior arrangement has been made. We will only accept official reports from an approved testing center. Candidates for In-Care status with MCC are expected to review their written report with the testing center before deciding to release the report to the denomination. In order to apply for In-Care status with MCC, candidates must release, in writing, their written report to the denomination. We understand, however, that in some cases, candidates may choose not to release their psychological report to the denomination and thus terminate or postpone their application for In-Care status.

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Office of Formation and Leadership Development List of Approved Centers for Psychological &Vocational Assessment All centers have been instructed to administer the same assessment tools and to prepare their reports in a similar format.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS Center for Career Development and Ministry Dr. Stephen E. Ott, Director 30 Milton Street, Suite 107 Dedham, MA 02026 (781) 329-2100 (o) (781) 407-0955 (f) [email protected] CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA Career and Personal Counseling Service Dr. Vickie P. McCreary, Executive Director 4108 Park Rd., #200 Charlotte, NC 28209-2259 (704) 523-7751 www.CareerService.org [email protected] CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Midwest Ministry Development Service Dr. Ross D. Peterson, Executive Director Dr. Margo M.R. Stone, Associate Executive Director 1840 Westchester Blvd., Ste. 204 Westchester, IL 60154-4334 (708) 343-6268 www.MidwestMinistry.org [email protected]

COLUMBUS, OHIO Midwest Ministry Development Service Dr. Ross D. Peterson, Executive Director Rev. John R. Matthews, Associate Executive Director 1520 Old Henderson Road, 102-B Columbus, OH 43220-3616 (614) 442-8822 www.MidwestMinistry.org [email protected] DALLAS, TEXAS The Ministry Development Center of the Southwest Dr. Ross D. Peterson, Executive Director Dr. Charles W. Darwin, Jr., Associate Director 8215 Westchester Drive, Suite 307 Dallas, TX 75225 (214) 346-9790 www.MidwestMinistry.org [email protected] KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Midwest Ministry Development Service Dr. Ross D. Peterson, Executive Director Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thorne, Assoc. Director 8301 State Line Road, Suite 216. Kansas City, MO 64114 (816) 822-1656 www.MidwestMinistry.org [email protected]

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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA with services in Los Angeles & Seattle The Center for Ministry Dr. Robert L. Charpentier, Director 8393 Capwell Drive, #220 Oakland, CA 94621-2123 (510) 635-4246 www.CenterforMinistry.org [email protected]

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA North Central Ministry Development Center Dr. Mark E. Sundby, Director 516 Mission House Lane NW New Brighton, MN 55112-2571 (651) 636-5120 www.ncmdc.org [email protected]

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA The Career and Personal Counseling Center Dr. Barbara Kranendonk, Director 100 2nd Avenue South, Ste. 200S. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 823-6294 www.cpccflorida.org [email protected]

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