When the MBTI is administered the client engages in a process to disclose his or her preferences for each of the four indices: attitude E or I, function S or N, function T or F, and attitude J or P. A letter combination of preferences is used to indicate a type. Therefore, sixteen possible combinations of preferences or sixteen personality types exist in the MBTI. 

These four letter combinations are the pattern of preferences. The four letters indicate the attitudes and functions a person prefers to use. The other four characteristics, represented by the letters that do not appear in each four letter type designation, are still present in each individual but, in general, are not as readily utilized, not as readily seen and, therefore, not depicted in the type designation.

TYPES IN CONGREGATIONS

These Jungian principles apply to congregations. A congregation will function with a personality. Corporately a congregation will show preferences for gathering information and making decisions. Each congregation will also have attitudinal preferences. Therefore, there will be sixteen personality types of congregations.

These preferences will be key in shaping the congregation’s personality. One congregation will be extrovert, while another is introvert. One will be oriented to the facts and details of the sensing function, while the next, guided by the intuition, is full of ideas and possibilities for the future. Some congregations will make decisions based on analysis, structure and/or rules, while others focus on the human impact and relationships. One congregation will give expression of its corporate life primarily through its preferred perceiving function to gather information, while the next displays a focus on the preferred judging function to make decision.

These preferences shape the congregations likes and dislikes in every imaginable area of life together: worship, study, service, fellowship, etc. Even architecture can be affected by the personality of the congregation.  Research, conducted and published in the Journal of Psychological Type, Vol. 44, indicates that:

1. •    a congregation’s personality can be identified.
   

2. •    corporate personality is not a product of pastoral leadership, nor of the founder’s personality.
   

3. •    psychological dynamics are at work in membership selection.
   

4. •    differing personality traits are key to inactivity.
   

5. •   core values shape ministry interests.
   

6. •    each congregation has an identifiable pattern of communication and decision making.
   

7. •    corporate personalities tend not to change, but can become more healthy or unhealthy.
   

8. •    while a congregation displays a particular type, the membership is not homogeneous.
   

Brief portraits for the Sixteen Types of congregations have been developed. A major portion of each type has been included in the site.  Use the matrix below to link to these abbreviated descriptions.

The Profiler for Congregational Personality Preferences (PCPP) has been developed to assist in identifying a congregation’s personality. For contractual use of the PCPP please contact the institute.