Churches get one shot at their most consequential hire. When it goes wrong, the fallout is devastating — fractured congregations, financial loss, and shattered trust in leadership. And yet most churches still make this decision with a résumé, a few reference calls, and a sermon audition.

But hiring is only half the equation. Once a pastor is in the role, most churches have no structured way to support their development — no baseline to grow from, no framework for feedback, and no early indicators when things start to go sideways.

Ekkology is building the first scientifically validated assessment tools designed specifically for pastoral hiring and development. We bring the same evidence-based methodology used by public safety agencies — where hiring and promotional processes must be defensible, validated, and fair — and adapt it for the competencies that actually predict pastoral effectiveness.

Our tools evaluate the whole person — competencies, character, values alignment, and capacity for sustained ministry — giving search committees the confidence to make better hiring decisions and giving churches a foundation for ongoing pastoral development, coaching, and support.
Founded by Alex Johnson, Ph.D., M.Div. — a former pastor turned I/O psychologist who spent a decade in ministry at churches ranging from 2,000 to over 20,000, and now leads a consulting team designing high-stakes assessments for police and fire agencies across major U.S. cities.

Right Seed. Right Soil.

Ekkology

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Ekkology

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