Temperament Theory and Congregation Studies: Different Types for Different Services?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Francis, Leslie J.; Wright, Howard; Robbins, Mandy
• Is Part Of: Practical theology. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: congregation studies -- psychological type -- Fresh Expressions -- churchgoers; Theology, Practical -- Periodicals; Pastoral care -- Periodicals; Pastoral theology -- Periodicals; Pastoral counseling -- Periodicals; 253.05
• DOI: 10.1080/1756073X.2016.1149679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-073X

Abstract

Abstract : Temperament theory and psychological type theory provide a tool for assessing and interpreting the profile of church congregations. In this study the profiles of the three congregations (Ns = 43, 110, 43) at one Anglican church (given the pseudonym of Holy Trinity Church) are situated against the normative profile generated by the congregations at 140 Anglican churches ( N = 3302). The data demonstrate that normative profile attracts a high proportion of the Epimethean Temperament at 72%. The two morning services at Holy Trinity Church replicated the profile at 65% and 74%. The evening service, however, attracted a significantly lower proportion of the Epimethean Temperament (47%) with a corresponding significantly higher proportion of the Apollonian Temperament. These findings support the view that individual churches are able to offer diverse provisions that generate congregations with distinctively different psychological profiles.