The 16 personality types http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator are based on the psychology of Carl Jung though there are differences.
My personality type is INTP -
- I – Introversion preferred to Extraversion: INTPs tend to be quiet and reserved. They generally prefer interacting with a few close friends rather than a wide circle of acquaintances, and they expend energy in social situations (whereas extraverts gain energy).[8]
- N – iNtuition preferred to Sensing: INTPs tend to be more abstract than concrete. They focus their attention on the big picture rather than the details, and on future possibilities rather than immediate realities.[9]
- T – Thinking preferred to Feeling: INTPs tend to value objective criteria above personal preference. When making decisions, they generally give more weight to logic than to social considerations.[10]
- P – Perception preferred to Judgment: INTPs tend to withhold judgment and delay important decisions, preferring to "keep their options open" should circumstances change.[11]
What does this mean for ministry?
With a very strong preference for introversion I believe that the description is accurate that being with others expends energy rather than energises me. Oddly the use of social networking tools - by which I include twitter and blogging - is a typically extroverted thing to do, though it is somewhat more distant than face to face interaction.
Lent is a time when Jesus withdrew from social interaction into the wilderness to pray and fast, he dealt with his shadow side - his temptations and came from the desert renewed and with a sense of direction and purpose.
Clergy in Lent are expected to spend more time with people, leading them in prayer and worship, in Bible Studies, House Groups, PCC away days, and all the social events that happen in Lent. The odd thing about my experience of Lent is that it is a time of giving out, rather than retreat. Can you imagine going on retreat in Lent? No doubt some manage it, but it wouldn't go down well here. It is, for intorverted clergy at least, somewhat other than an energising and innervating experience. That can come as quite a surprise.
For introverts Lent is not a time of spiritual retreat - not even retreat in order to advance , reculer pour mieux sauter, Lent is a time of expending energy. To constantly discharge your spiritual batteries you have to charge them sometime.
The challenge as an introvert is to deal with other people's expectations that Lent will energise you, rather than deplete your energies, and their expectations that you will enjoy the increased round of social interaction that Lent brings. Can you manage a smile when you want to frown? Can you look as pleased to be at your twentieth service of the week as your first?
The services in Lent that I enjoy most are Stations of the Cross, when all the effort goes into preparation, and only small attention is needed to lead the service. In Stations of the Cross I find that I can enjoy some of the silence to worship, and to imagine my way into the trial, and death of Christ though the art-work.
