Can you get along with people who have a different personality from you?
I used to think in terms of theology to define different types of Christians. Then I began to study personality seriously. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that the differences are more personality than theology.
On the Myers-Briggs Types Indicator I am an ENTP (extroverted, intuitive, thinking, perceptive). Once I was talking to a pastor who was on an Emmaus Walk team. The entire team took the types indicator test to see how they could work together. All members of the team were FJ (feeling, judgmental) rather than TP. When I told him I was TP, he said, “How can you call yourself a Christian?”
Well, the answer to that question is easy. I am a “Christ follower.” But that led me to study personality even deeper.
Less theology, I think some people’s personality characteristics guide them into needing feelings of security, certainty. These are probably more likely to be theologically conservative. Tell me what to believe, I’ll believe it, I now feel the certainty of salvation.
Other people are open to new people, new experiences, new ideas. Life is a learning experience and sort of an experiment. They like different forms of worship. They are open to embracing a wider variety of people.
If you are very far along the intuitive scale, you may prefer quiet, meditative worship. Another personality type likes loud music and boisterous celebration. Another prefers the structure of a traditional worship experience.
Are any of these right? Yes. They are all right. I think the key is understanding that different people are different. The important thing is are they following Jesus, not how are they following Jesus.
I got into the Myers-Briggs early. But later I studied the Enneagram. I just read an essay from Donald Miller where he discusses using the Enneagram to understand his liberal and his conservative Christian friends.
I think understanding is key. But, then, I’m the second type I described earlier 😉
Faith Venture 
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