I hope you have taken time to take our free personality test and to email the results to pam@fbcmarionark.org. If you haven't, please take some time right now. If you have taken the test and feel confused because you don't really understand the results or how to apply them in ministry, have no fear: we will take them and interpret them so that they will be applicable to your SHAPE for ministry.
As we continue to look at how our unique, God-given personalities shape us for ministry, let's consider how we experience the world. Everyone experiences the world through either things or ideas. Some people want to touch it, see it, or smell it, while others sit around and think about it before ever even making the decision to consider touching it, seeing it, or smelling it. The ways we experience the world determine how we make decisions and how we work in serving God.
You can see this fundamental difference in personality in the lives of two of the writers of the New Testament, Paul and James. In Ephesians 2:9, Paul describes how Christians are saved through faith "...not by works so that no one can boast." On the other hand, James writes, "I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:18). Which one is right? Both! Though these statements seem like a contradiction, keep reading and you'll see that both writers understand that both faith and works are important parts of the Christian life. It may be the difference in their personalities that causes them to emphasize one aspect over the other when they write -- as inspired by the Holy Spirit -- about the Christian life. Paul perceives the world through abstract ideas like faith, while James looks for the "hands on" application of good deeds. God used both of these personality types to present a complete picture of the Christian life in scripture.
In the same way, God uses both "thing" people and "idea" people in ministry. Idea people may be drawn to ministries like teaching or strategizing. On the other hand, "thing" people, those who are primarily experience the world through their five senses, may be drawn to recognizing and meeting the physical needs of others. Using both types of people, God is able to accomplish his purpose in ministry.
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Today's Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for making me able to experience the wonder of your world. As I seek to understand the personality you created for me, help me to focus on the areas of ministry to which you are guiding me. Allow me to use my perception of the world to motivate me to serve you.
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Follow these instructions to complete your personality test:
- Register with your name and email. Your information remains confidential.
- Answer
the series of questions. If you don't understand a question, just
choose between the two options and move on to the next one.
- Submit your answers and instantly receive your results.
- Look for the email link on the results page. Email your report to pam@fbcmarionark.org.
- Your personality will be added to your SHAPE profile.
- For further insight (with a minimal cost), you can
purchase indepth reports, but the free report is more than enough to get
started in understanding your personality.
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Elizabeth Barnett is a state-licensed counselor for children, teens, individual adults, couples, and families. She helps people in all kinds of situations through confidential sessions at the First Baptist Church Counseling Center.
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