Psychological type profiles and temperaments of ministers in the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Psychological type profiles and temperaments were assessed among 232 male and 51 female ministers linked to the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and compared with previously published samples from the general UK population and the Church of England. Compared with the general population, Baptist ministers showed greater propensity for introversion, intuition, and judging. Male ministers showed greater propensity for feeling than the general population, but there was no difference among the women. Compared with Anglican clergy, Baptist ministers showed similar preferences for orientation and judging, but greater propensity towards sensing over intuition and judging over perceiving. The most frequent temperament was Epimethean (SJ), followed by Apollinarian (NF) among women and Promethean (NT) among men. The most frequent psychological types were ISTJ, ISFJ, and INFP. The implications for the type of leadership and pastoral care offered by these ministers are discussed.