I have a blog post (or more likely series) that I’d really like to write and I need your help.
When I started this blog, I worried it would seem like an awkwardly smooshed together amalgam of INFJ blog and Christian blog. You’re supposed to find a niche or theme of some kind and focus your blogging there. Not start two blogs on the same site and post one on Mondays and one on Saturdays. But I felt this what what I should do and so I did. And it’s been wonderful.
I’ve heard from so many INFJs who find my blog through the Myers-Briggs posts and then comment because they discovered I’m Christian. I’ve also heard from other types. Most surprisingly, quite a large number of NTs want to talk about their faith. It’s been fascinating to hear from the types stereotyped as the least religious. Many talk about the challenges they face, especially in connecting with other Christians or in feeling like their faith walk doesn’t follow the “normal” pattern.
That has me wondering: if Christianity is a faith meant for all people then why aren’t we doing a better job of connecting with all personality types? It’s a very broad generalization, but most Christians in the United States seem to be Sensing types and/or Feeling types. And that’s who many churches cater toward. They’re focusing on the sort of traditions that make SJ types comfortable, or trying to engage SP types in sensory worship experiences, or appealing to the spiritual interests of a few NF types.
I firmly believe God created personality variations for a reason and that He longs for a relationship with all people. There are already Christians of every personality type who have strong walks with God. But they’re not all equally valued and understood in the churches. And I’d very much like to start changing that.
List of Finished Posts:
As this project continues, I’ll post links to the finished posts here. If you see your type on the list, you’re welcome to head over to that post to read what your fellow believers wrote about their faith and leave your perspective in the comments section. I’m hoping to turn this project into a book eventually, and I greatly value your perspective even if I’ve already published a post on your type.
- INFJ: Mercy And Truth Meet Together
- ENFP: All Your Heart, Mind, and Soul
- INFP: That Which Every Joint Supplies
- INTP: To Seek And Search Out By Wisdom
- INTJ: As For Me, I Will Serve The Lord
- ENFJ: I Have Become All Things To All People
My Questions For You
Here’s where you guys come in. I want to hear from Christians of as many different personality types as possible. If you want to contribute and don’t know your personality type yet, please check out my post Finding Your Real Myers-Briggs Type (if you can’t narrow it down to a single type or just want to take one online test instead of researching typeology in-depth, that’s okay. I’d still love to hear from you).
I’m asking you to please share your personality type and answer some (or all, if you like) of these questions:
- Which Bible characters and/or stories do you most identify with?
- Do you have gifts or talents that you feel are not appreciated or that you don’t have an opportunity to use in the church?
- Do you have gifts or talents that are particularly encouraged and supported in the church?
- Are there expectations from other Christians that you have a hard time meeting because of how your mind naturally works?
- Which teaching/preaching styles connect with you best? How do you like to hear and learn about God and His word?
- In what ways could the church better connect with someone like you when preaching the gospel?
- What’s one of the biggest challenges you face as a Christian?
- Why are you a Christian? In other words, what makes you believe this faith is the right one?
You can either leave a comment here or send me a private message through my Contact Me form. Unless you tell me otherwise, I’ll assume that by getting in touch you agree I can quote you directly and credit you by first name (or screen name) and Myers-Briggs type.
Please spread this around! The more people sending in their ideas and perspectives the better. Hopefully we’ll get enough feedback for several posts. Maybe it will even grow into an ebook. I can’t wait to read what you all have to say!
Like An Anchor 
I’m an infj who attends a Calvary chapel church, so expository teaching style! Love, love, love it! Our pastor is very laid back and full of both grace & truth. The perfect blend for me…no drama, just truth spoken in love. I often feel very misunderstood as an infj female as I come across as judgy & aloof in larger groups of women (at least that’s my perception), I’m so much warmer in one on one settings, but I know I need to be in fellowship and discipleship. That’s the rub for us. So I usually plug away at it, attending studies and generally just listening. Again, coming off as aloof. I wish I could find my groove with other women. I almost relate more readily with men and their ease with each other in discussing difficult or controversial topics. I want to really dig deep, but often feel like I bore women with that kind of discussion. I’m blessed to have a wonderful hubby who gets me, though. As far as my favorite Bible character…gotta say David. He just seems to be the most multidimensional person. I’ve also grown to love Daniel. At first he’s intimidatingly perfect, but then I can so relate to his aloneness in a godless culture. Going against the grain. Love it! But I always say when I get to heaven, I’m getting in the line to meet CS Lewis first. Oh goodness, I have a terrible crush on him! 😝
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I love C.S. Lewis too!
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Hi Marissa,
I am a female Catholic from Germany and an INFJ.
Which Bible characters and/or stories do you most identify with?
One Character I can relate to very much is Mary (Lucas 10,38-42). She instantly knows that this moment with Jesus is more important than anything else. I think she didn’t intend to upset her sister Martha. She was just intrigued by the words of our Savior and I like the way He changes Martha’s point of view.
Do you have gifts or talents that you feel are not appreciated or that you don’t have an opportunity to use in the church?
No
Do you have gifts or talents that are particularly encouraged and supported in the church?
Yes, I am a teacher of theology and religious education.
Are there expectations from other Christians that you have a hard time meeting because of how your mind naturally works?
On the one hand I enjoy discussing matters of faith with other people but on the other hand I prefer a particular distance, too.
Which teaching/preaching styles connect with you best? How do you like to hear and learn about God and His word?
I like to listen to metaphores, allegories or poetic speeches.
In what ways could the church better connect with someone like you when preaching the gospel?
More impulses less instructions.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you face as a Christian?
Living in a world that is growing apart from Christian values.
Why are you a Christian? In other words, what makes you believe this faith is the right one?
I was born with a deeply rooted faith in God. But to answer the second question as well: Because people are loved and accepted unconditionally by Jesus Christ.
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Thanks for commenting, Miriam!
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Hi, I’m an INFP, here are the answers to some of your questions:
1.Which Bible characters and/or stories do you most identify with?
I identify with his life the most, the Psalms is mostly a reflection of an account of his life or how he felt from every season he was in. It is most relatable ’cause it was raw and earnest and it is the type of poetic that is life changing because it is God-breathed. He went through various hills and valleys, he faced consequences from his disobedience yet instead of remaining in rebellion, he always finds his way back to God in repentance.
2. Do you have gifts or talents that you feel are not appreciated or that you don’t have an opportunity to use in the church?
Not a part of a particular ministry right now other than being a part of a cell group, been praying and planning to start my own as per God’s instruction.
3. Do you have gifts or talents that are particularly encouraged and supported in the church?
Counselling, encouraging, praying
4. Are there expectations from other Christians that you have a hard time meeting because of how your mind naturally works?
Not exactly, I have been studying apologetics so I am able to answer some of the difficult questions by some people I’ve met or share the gospel with. Hope I understood the question correctly.
5. Which teaching/preaching styles connect with you best? How do you like to hear and learn about God and His word?
The girls in the cell group I belong to is aware of the MBTI, and I know most of their MBTI types, I noticed that the feelers often hear God or the Holy Spirit speak to them, in soft whispers, including the scriptures and people around them (INFPs, INFJs, ENFJs, ISFJs), while the thinkers often hear, listen, and obey God’s word from the Scriptures itself and from the authority God has placed in their life. (ENTPs, ENTJS, ESTPs)
6. In what ways could the church better connect with someone like you when preaching the gospel?
Speak the truth as it is, with love. Our church in particularly has several avenues that may cater to different types of people. There are counselling ministries with sub categories, apologetics ministry and talks for the toughest questions about Christianity and other world views – I think is appeals to various types of people but the truth remains the same and is anchored on the Scriptures. There are church-wide events that cater to both emotions and intellect, I think that in itself is the power and wisdom the Holy Spirit that is manifested through the leaders of the church. They understand that there are different types of people that come in to the church, but more importantly, these truths are really meant to be addressed anyway.
7. What’s one of the biggest challenges you face as a Christian?
Besides doing the spiritual disciplines consistently (Bible reading, devotion, meeting in small groups/fellowship, fasting etc.), it’s really just practicing what I believe in.
Why are you a Christian? In other words, what makes you believe this faith is the right one?
It takes more faith to believe that we’re results of spontaneity, an accident if you will, than to believe that there is a designer, a God who created the universe.
I am a Christian because I believe in Jesus, the reality of my brokenness, and that he reached out to me even when I wasn’t looking for him, i believe because of what God has done not only in my life, but in the lives of my family members, my friends, and many other people who have given their testimonies. Jesus did not come to make bad people good anyway, He came to make dead people live. I’ve seen impossibles become possible because of him, He alone’s able to transform lives.
🙂
– Julia / @mbtitime
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Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, Julia 🙂 It’s so cool that you’re part of a cell group where most of the girls know their MBTI types!
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Reblogged this on Luvlybee's Nutrition and Health Blog .
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Which Bible characters and/or stories do you most identify with?
I most identify with David, Paul, and Peter. I also love John, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Baruch.
Do you have gifts or talents that you feel are not appreciated or that you don’t have an opportunity to use in the church?
No. Anything God has given me can and will be used to His glory.
Do you have gifts or talents that are particularly encouraged and supported in the church?
I suppose singing and the ability to translate (in a multi-lingual church). But really just whatever needs doing.
Are there expectations from other Christians that you have a hard time meeting because of how your mind naturally works?
Sometimes I have problems with the organization side of things. Confronting people also does not come easy at all.
Which teaching/preaching styles connect with you best? How do you like to hear and learn about God and His word?
I like storytelling best, because it’s relatable. But really it doesn’t matter, my job is to listen.
In what ways could the church better connect with someone like you when preaching the gospel?
Um, I don’t know. I guess the same way you would better connect with anyone – being like Jesus, living the faith in truth, every day without exception.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you face as a Christian?
Paying attention, not worrying. Remembering God more than I remember that nice friend I had a while ago. Constantly remembering His love. (Okay, that was more than one, but hopefully it’s helpful?)
Why are you a Christian? In other words, what makes you believe this faith is the right one?
No other faith raises the dead, heals by speech, or makes a dead soul whole. No other faith makes men like God – they all make God like men. Christianity has the power to back up what it says is true. And Christianity inspires true, self-sacrificial love. There is no better faith.
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Thank you so much for your comment and your thoughtful answers 🙂 Can you tell me what your Myers-Briggs type is?
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Oh yes, sorry. Absentminded INFP here. 🙂
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