About the first generation of our assessments that are now found in AssessME.org, they were incorporated into one of our ministry modules inside our platform called the “eChurch Network” starting in 2003. Sadly, twelve years later, due to mobile first requirements for software, we ended the networks services in 2015. However, prior to that time, the assessment module had proved to be so popular, that we launched it as a stand-alone program called AssessME.org in 2005. Since that time AssessME.org has served many thousands of churches and parachurch ministries in 35 countries.
Early Ministry Years
Prior to 1998, David had served as a church planter and church revitalizer. David had planted two churches and had restarted two additional dying churches. David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education & World Religions from Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1997). Additionally, he earned an M.Div. from Trinity International University, north Chicago (1990). And also, certifications in Clinical Counseling from Loyola Mc Neal Hospital, Berwyn, Illinois (December, 1990).
A Ministry Transition
David started working on assessment design on his own in 1995 while he was still a pastor. In 1998, something unexpected happened. The president of a national software company contacted David. He said the company wanted to create a new division to make software for churches. They were looking for someone who understood technology, marketing, systems, and the needs of churches. David’s name had been suggested by several people. At that time, David was between church jobs, so the offer caught his attention.
Secondly, David had always loved technology. He even earned a special FCC license and first got licensed when he was just 11 years old, and an Extra-Class FCC License later in adulthood. This made the new job even more exciting for him. Because of this opportunity to merge ministry with technology, David decided to change his path. In 1998, he moved from working in a church to working in a parachurch ministry.
While serving this software company, David designed the first of its kind “Church Security and Communications Software” system for church nursery and children’s ministry departments. This system is abundantly visible in its influence as now most every Church Management Software Platform (ChMs) has a check in/out and communications module patterned after David’s initial design (See an article on this topic written by David A Posthuma, published by Group Publishing). David also designed the first of its kind “Streaming Server in a Box” to enable churches to stream their services live on the internet. Sadly, this company went out of business as a direct result of the terrible events of 9/11. In 2002, David believed the Lord was calling him to build an online assessment and equipping platform for the church market and so formed E-Church Essentials, LLC.
Assessment Design
One of the abilities God had given David was to envision systems design, whether organizational systems, or software systems. David’s gift for systems designs now extended to his development of Christian human resource assessments for the church market. From 1995 through 2002, David had privately worked on various assessment designs. Then, in 2002, David began beta-testing his assessments with many churches of various denominations and theological flavors, as well as with many individual end-users who completed the assessments and provided feedback. Additional evaluations for test-retest rates displayed very satisfying results. The assessments included: The ePersonality, Leadership Style, GraceGifts, and many years later, discipleship tracking by NextSteps.
David’s Books
AssessME.org provides several key training books to help train and equip your church leaders to use AssessME.org professionally, mobilizing your congregation members into Kingdom service. Additionally, below the book list, you will find extra links to essential resources designed to give you and your church the support you need.
ACTIVE DISCIPLESHIP
Transform your church into an Active Discipleship© ministry! The passive discipleship model, which has been popular for the past 30 years, focuses mainly on Sunday morning attendance and small group participation. However, this approach has often left Christians lacking in knowledge and unsure when it comes to sharing their faith.
On the other hand, Active Discipleship© combines important teachings and ideas with our effective Discipleship Tracking Program. This partnership makes true disciple-making possible and helps your church grow in a meaningful way.
MADE FOR A MISSION
Mobilize your congregation into ministry service like you never thought possible! Made for a Mission© trains ministry leaders to use our mobilization assessments effectively in their churches.
When you go through this training, you’ll discover important information that you might miss if you just use our assessments casually. For example, you’ll learn how to interpret unique data results that can help you identify individuals who might not be a good fit for your ministry. Additionally, it will teach you to identify “red flags” in the data. This way, you can build a strong and healthy church community!
eSHIFT
Is your church’s ministry model out of date? Most churches today utilize a ministry model developed in the 1970’s and early 1980’s… the height of the television-influenced culture. As Boomers begin to die, relevant churches will shift to a model that incorporates the values of the internet-influenced epoch. A.I. will only make these differences more apparent. eShift© is about the internet influenced epoch and how churches can begin the path toward relevancy now before it is too late.
Leadership Reviews of David A Posthuma
REGARDING E-CHURCH ESSENTIALS, LLC –
“Ever wonder what it was like to have been on the ground floor with Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com or Pierre Omidyar of eBay.com? Wonder no longer. Join Dave Posthuma of E-Church Essentials and hold on –- the future of the church is forming right before your eyes and under your feet.”
REGARDING THE BOOK eSHIFT –
“I expect this book to stir controversy, but of the best sort: Eye-opening and mind-altering perspectives on what it might mean for the church to embrace the internet today as the primary delivery system for learning and faith development as our Protestant ancestors adopted the book as their primary delivery system in the Reformation Church.”
Leonard Sweet, best-selling author and professor (Drew University, George Fox University), and chief contributor to sermons.com
Leonard Sweet
Church Futurist, Author, Teacher & Speaker
LeonardSweet.com
REGARDING E-CHURCH ESSENTIALS, LLC –
“Dave Posthuma and E-Church Essentials share my passion to train and inspire leaders to live authentic lives of great impact. Rarely do you meet someone as passionate about the church with the technological genius of David A. Posthuma. I love how he is helping churches by leading them into the technological future. Pay attention to what he is doing and access his outrageous resource. It will help you as you both grow and organize your church.”
REGARDING THE BOOK eSHIFT –
“The church has been choking for decades on the naive assumption that the world hasn’t changed. eShift provides the necessary Heimlich Maneuver to clear her throat so that the fresh air of life and relevance can return. If you are over 40 this writing will be a wake-up call. If you are under 25 you will shout Hallelujah that someone has finally stated things as they truly are. Either way, eShift is a gift to the church. Let’s hope it’s one that is opened and applied, not ignored.”
Dan Webster
Authentic Leadership, Willow Creek, Crystal Cathedral
Authentic Leadership Inc.
