Posted: 7/23/04
Understanding differences in personality types can help
church staff head off potential conflicts, consultant says
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
SAN ANTONIO–Most church staff difficulties have more to do with personalities than with issues, a Baptist General Convention of Texas consultant said.
Each person approaches his or her job differently, creating conflicting work styles that can lead to staff problems, noted Sonny Spurger, consultant for the BGCT Center for Christian Leadership.
“It's not the issues that get us in trouble,” Spurger said in a seminar during the African American Fellowship/Church Health and Growth Conference. “It's how we deal with them. And how we deal with them comes from who we are.”
Spurger used a common personality test to help participants assess their own character type. That information helps them understand what they want from their jobs and supervisors, as well as how they respond to conflict.
Spurger referred to the four character types by the letters–D, I, S and C.
“D” is a vision-caster with strong leadership ability who deals with decisions and conflict swiftly and strongly.
“I” is a person-oriented individual with strong networking skills. He or she also may be disorganized.
“S” is loyal and hard-working but has a tendency to be a people-pleaser and occasionally noncommittal.
“C” is the most likely to be susceptible to depression but is a detail-oriented planner who prefers to work alone.
Spurger, a self-proclaimed “I,” pointed out that every person is a blend of the characteristics and can work to strengthen tendencies.
The ideal church staff, which includes paid and volunteer leaders, consists of all four personality types, because each one has a strength that is needed to lead a church well, Spurger said.
If a staff can recognize which type each member is, the group can understand how to be a more productive and positive unit, he added.
Each person will see how co-workers prefer communication in different situations, Spurger said.
The Center for Christian Leadership can lead church staffs in more detailed testing and assessment of personality types and spiritual gifts.
A consultant will help staff members understand strengths and weaknesses as well as how to improve chemistry.
For more information about the tests, call (214) 828-5278.
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