Psychological Type Profile of Methodist Ministers in Britain: Contributing to the Atlas of Clergy Type Tables
In: Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, Volume 33Search for other papers by Leslie J. Francis in
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Abstract
Building on earlier psychological type profiles of clergy serving in Britain, the present study was designed to clarify the psychological type profile of Methodist circuit ministers, distinguishing between male and female ministers and between superintendent and non-superintendent ministers. Data provided by 619 male ministers demonstrate preferences for introversion (66%), sensing (56%), feeling (59%), and judging (76%). Data provided by 312 female ministers also demonstrated preferences for introversion (67%), sensing (51%), feeling (72%), and judging (78%). Among male ministers, superintendents were significantly more likely to prefer judging (81% compared with 74%) and less likely to include INFPs (4% compared with 9%). Among female ministers there were no significant differences distinguishing the smaller number of superintendents. The implications of these findings are discussed for the expression and experience of ministry within the Methodist Church of Great Britain.