The Psychological Temperament of Anglican Clergy in Ordained Local Ministry (OLM): The Conserving, Serving Pastor?

Authors: Francis, Leslie J.¹; Village, Andrew²

Source: Journal of Empirical Theology, Volume 25, Number 1, 2012 , pp. 57-76(20)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Abstract

This study draws on psychological type theory as originally proposed by Jung (1971) and psychological temperament theory as proposed by Keirsey and Bates (1978) to explore the hypothesis that ordained local ministers (OLMs) within the Church of England reflect a psychological profile more in keeping with the profile of Church of England congregations than with the profile of established professional mobile clergy serving in the Church of England. Data provided by 135 individuals recently ordained as OLMs (79 women and 56 men) supported the hypothesis. Compared with established professional mobile clergy there is a higher proportion of the Epimethean Temperament (SJ) among OLMs. Oswald and Kroeger (1988) characterise SJ religious leaders as `the conserving, serving pastor'. The implications of these findings are discussed for the evolving ministry of the Church of England.

Keywords: psychology; religion; clergy; psychological type; ordained local ministry

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157092512X635743

Affiliations: 1: Email: leslie.francis@warwick.ac.uk, URL: http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink 2: a) University of Warwick, UK b) York St John University, UK

Publication date: 2012-01-01

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