Ministry Psychology Assessment
Career Assessment and Development Program (CAD)
CAD is educational services designed to provide a psychological assessment of those in ministry and ordination candidates. The church has a right and obligation to seek out the best individuals for its ministry.
The purpose of the assessment is to provide a personality test and career profile, which may then be used by the referring agency to aid in its decision-making concerning the applicant’s vocation. It is not the purpose of the psychologist either to make a decision for the referring agency or to assess the legitimacy of the individual’s call to the ministry.
The assessment is only one source of data used in the psychology process by which the denomination “affirms” or “does not affirm” an individual’s call to ministry. The assessment is designed to evaluate the applicant in the following areas and any perceived deficiencies/problems that would impede a person from continuing as an applicant to the ministry:
- self-image
- self-awareness
- self-esteem
- health of family and relationship systems
- interpersonal skills
- personal/professional values
- emotional maturity
- psychological health
- flexibility
- leadership style
- intellectual capacity and integrity
- history/current presence of psychological disturbance
- history or current concerns about substance abuse
- general personality style
After testing results and all payments have been received, Dr. Korczyk schedules a meeting to review these with the candidate, as well as to discuss the personal and vocational history. After this meeting (which lasts about 1.5 - 2 hours) Dr. Korczyk writes a report which is sent to the candidate to review. This allows the candidate a chance to ask any questions about the report, to provide feedback, or let Dr. Korczyk know the report can be sent as is. After this review, the report is sent to both the candidate and the referring religious governing body.
Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute
CAD Program Director - Donna Korczyk, PhD
412-661-1239 x248 (confidential voicemail)
Referral, questions or concerns contact:
CAD Coordinator - Lisa M. Bergquist, MBA
412-661-1239 ext. 210 (confidential voicemail)
light shining in the path to ordination