I meant to say this, too: were you on the Joint Church Council at Christ Church when we used the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to analyse our teamwork, given the frictions there had been? You might recall Steve P bringing in a Myers Briggs specialist. We had an away day one Saturday to look at it. I just ask, because I wondered whether the Jungian background to MBTI had been a difficulty for you, and what thoughts you had on that? I’m curious to explore the difference between those times when we judge as Christians that ‘all truth is God’s truth’ and others when we want to say ‘no, this is dangerous’. I hope you don’t think that’s critical, it isn’t meant that way. I’m simply keen to learn more and encourage the discussion here on the blog to be one where everybody’s different comments function as ‘iron sharpening iron’.

Love to you and Andrew.

I am aware of controversy in Christian circles over the origins of the Enneagram. I’ve got as far as the introduction to Rohr’s book, where he is aware of these suggestions. He argues there is evidence for a much more Christian background than has been previously thought. That isn’t to say I uncritically accept that, either, but it does need careful consideration, along with the contrary theories. Thanks for the cautionary note.

Thank you for your slant on this. I’ll be all the more interested to see what a study of Enneagram produces. Do you know the Richard Rohr book? If so, do you think it’s any good?

Thanks. I think it’s easy to treat these tests as the psychological version of the horoscope. However, they can be used carefully.

In my last appointment, we used MBTI for a Church Council away day, where we had realised there were big issues preventing us working as a team. We were led by someone properly trained and accredited in the approach, and that worked well. Perhaps that would encourage your younger brother.

The Grove booklets I mention both have interesting material (all too brief, of course) about personality types and certain theological or churchmanship predispositions.

Ths post reminds me of a Diocesan Reader training day c 4 years ag. At one of the sessions we looked at personality type, mainly Myers Briggs and hw it related to our spiritual journay and expression.

I had recently been Myers Briggsed at work in connection with a cack handed leadership development programme. I had emerged as an ISTJ, strong on ISJ, but close to the T?F border on that one. All this apparently pointed t a tendency to stability in churchm expression and that probably tending to the steadier expressions.

I pointed out that I had been brought up in a Baptist church – 50s 60s evangelicalism, then drifted away, found Christ laster in the 70s, in the CoE. Then in early 90s had 5 yars in a semi independent charismatic fellowship before going back to a CoE Parsh church where I am now a Reader. So I have been around and do not fit the mould. What did that make me, other than a craxzy mixed up kid – or more correctly this last 15 months a crazy mixed up Grandpa! The tutor was intrigued, but had the same sentiment as Will – “it all depends”!!

I tend to the view that these tests have some entertainment value, and very carefully used, can be helpful in the right situation. My younger brother and the eldership team, in his first UK church after returning from missionary work, did Myers Briggs, and they made good use of it. Do I dare suggest our own staff team (vicar, NSM curate, 2 Readers and Pastoral visitor) and perhaps the PCC explore this route?