Minister and Denominational Assessments

The Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care has provided psychological assessment of candidates for ministry since 1971.

Since 1974 the Board of Ministry of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has contracted with VIPCare to provide assessments.

Assessment Experience

We have provided assessment services to the Presbytery of the James, the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Other judicatories who send students to the various seminaries in Richmond, Virginia, also use our assessment services as a matter of convenience to the candidates.

The Process

The assessment process uses a variety of psychometric instruments along with a clinical interview.  In this interview we review the psychological testing and make inquiry into the personal history of the candidate.  A final report is then written and distributed to the judicatory.

Our assessment process involves providing a different psychological assessment at three points in a candidate's movement toward ministry.
  • Assessment I occurs at the initial stage of the decision to pursue ministry as a call.

    The assessment focuses on psychological health, readiness for ministry, vocational interest and aptitude.
  • Assessment II generally occurs during seminary.

    The focus is on how the candidate's general personality is likely to be experienced in ministry as well as affected by ministry.
  • Assessment III is offered just prior to ordination, generally after seminary and with some practical exposure to ministry.

    The focus here is on how the candidate's personality style influences their approach to leadership.
All VIPCare staff who provide psychological assessments have been approved by the Advisory Committee on Psychological Assessments of the United Methodist Church as Ministerial Assessment Specialists and by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as Career Consultants:
  • Dr. Donald D. Denton Jr.
    Presbyterian Church (USA)

  • Dr. Sandra Kruschwitz Hamilton
    United Methodist Church, Virginia Conference

  • Dr. W. Victor Maloy
    United Methodist Church, Florida Conference
The assessments are conducted under the supervision of David Israel, Ph. D., licensed clinical psychologist.

To set up an appointment or for more information, contact us at
(804) 282-8332 x203