Five-minute diagnostic
Start with your ministry context. This diagnostic looks at the program—not the person taking it. Your stage matters: an early idea should not be measured like an active program, and an active program should be assessed by what people actually experience.
Build with purpose, not perfection. Effective programs grow from clear foundations, thoughtful design, responsible preparation, and an ongoing habit of learning and improvement.
What kind of program are you considering? Christian gap year A formative program combining spiritual growth, service, community, practical development, and intentional learning. Church residency A sustained pathway combining ministry responsibility, mentoring, structured learning, and leadership development. Ministry internship A practical learning experience built around meaningful responsibility, mentoring, feedback, and reflection. Still deciding Explore readiness before choosing the program model that best fits your ministry.
Where are you in the process? Exploring an idea We are clarifying the need and considering what kind of program could fit. Designing the program We have direction and are shaping an effective, workable program. Preparing to launch We are strengthening the design and operations before inviting a cohort. Improving an active program We want to strengthen a program that is already operating.
Please choose a program type and stage to continue.
Begin the diagnostic Your individual answers and dimension scores stay in this browser tab. If you allow analytics, Eleven:6 may measure that the tool was started or completed and the broad result band—never your individual answers.
Answer for what is true at your current stage. If several parts are mentioned and they differ, choose the lower response.
Purpose and outcomes Can you clearly say why this program should exist?Think about the real need or opportunity you see in your ministry. Start with a clear sentence, then keep sharpening it as you learn.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Purpose and outcomes Do you know who the program is for and how you hope they will grow?Picture someone finishing the program. Name two or three changes you would hope to see in their faith, character, skills, or leadership.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Purpose and outcomes Are your key leaders on the same page about the program?They do not need every detail. They should agree that the basic direction fits your ministry, beliefs, and way of serving people.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Ownership and capacity Is there one person clearly leading the program?Someone should know the ball is in their hands and have permission to make normal day-to-day decisions.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Ownership and capacity Do the people helping with the program know their roles and have time for them?This does not require a large or full-time team. It means mentors, supervisors, teachers, and helpers know what they own and can realistically do it.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Ownership and capacity Do people know who makes the call when a problem comes up?If a participant struggles or a ministry issue gets complicated, the team should know who decides and when senior leadership needs to step in.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Program structure Have you decided who will participate, how long it will run, and the basic schedule?The outline may be simple early on, but it should become clear enough that participants and leaders understand the commitment and rhythm.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Program structure Can you show how participants will learn, serve, meet with a mentor, and grow over time?Begin with a map of the main experiences and how they build on each other. Strengthen the details as the design develops and real experience reveals what works.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Program structure Will each participant do meaningful work with someone guiding them?Give people real responsibility that fits their current ability, plus a named person who checks in, coaches, and adjusts the assignment when needed.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Content, context, and coaching Have you chosen learning inputs that support the growth you want to see?Content might include Scripture, curriculum, books, courses, lectures, conferences, or guided discussion. Its purpose is formation—not simply filling time, earning credit, or completing material.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Content, context, and coaching Do participants have real roles and rhythms that put their learning into practice?Context is where content meets real responsibility. Ministry work should create moments that require participants to apply, question, process, and grow from what they are learning.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Content, context, and coaching Will someone help participants process the connection between learning and experience?Coaching can include course feedback, ministry supervision, mentoring, and coming alongside. The goal is to help participants make sense of the collision between content, real work, and personal formation.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Recruiting and participant care Can you clearly explain who the program is for and what it asks of them?A one-page description can cover the kind of participant you are looking for, the commitment involved, and how you will decide who is a good fit.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Recruiting and participant care Will participants know what to expect and where to go for help?Before they begin, people should understand the schedule, main expectations, support available, and how questions or concerns will be handled.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Recruiting and participant care Have you thought through the practical and pastoral care participants may need?Only plan for what fits your model. That might include housing, finances, transportation, community life, healthy boundaries, or access to pastoral support.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Practical launch and improvement Do you have the people, money, space, and tools needed for the program?Match the plan to what your ministry can actually support. Early estimates can become a dependable budget and staffing plan as you move toward launch.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Practical launch and improvement Are the practical details, responsibilities, and safety expectations clear?This includes dates, communication, who owns each task, and the conduct, safety, and reporting practices that fit your program and participants.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Practical launch and improvement Do you have a plan to learn from the program and improve it?Use planned check-ins, participant and staff feedback, and an end-of-cycle review to protect what works and strengthen what does not.
Not yet There is not a clear direction or dependable practice yet. Taking shape Some thinking or work has begun, but important gaps remain. Clear and workable It is developed enough to guide the next step well, with room to strengthen. Strong and improving It is well developed for this stage and continues to grow stronger.
Choose the response that best reflects what is true today.
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