Putting My Personality to Work in Ministry message #6 in the series Discovering my S.H.A.P.E. for Ministry

S piritual Gifts

H eart

A bilities

P

E xperiences

Ministry =

God intends for my ministry to the body of Christ. 

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit
for the common good.
(1 Corinthians 12:7, ESV)

Five Observations about Personality and Ministry

1. There is no or personality.

2. Each personality has its own and .

• Sanguine   -> The Talker

“Let’s have !”

• Melancholy -> The

“Let’s get !”

• Choleric    -> The

“Let’s get !”

• Phlegmatic -> The

“Let’s take it !”

Which of the personality types best describes you?

 Popular Sanguines are best:

• in dealing with people enthusiastically
• in expressing thoughts with excitement
• in up front positions of attention

but sometimes they:

• talk without thinking first
• have difficulty getting organized and following through
• have difficulty remembering appointments and being on time.

 Perfect Melancholies are best:

• in attending to details and in deep thinking
• in keeping records, charts, and graphs
• in analyzing problems too difficult for others

but sometimes they:

• are overly sensitive, get hurt easily, and are prone to depression
• over-plan and procrastinate due to their perfectionism
• place unrealistic expectations on themselves and others.

Powerful Cholerics are best:

• in jobs that require quick decisions
• in spots that need instant action and accomplishments
• in areas that demand strong control and authority

but sometimes they:

• are compulsive workers who must be in control
• lack compassion and look down on “the dummies”
• are manipulate people in pursuit of their goal

Peaceful Phlegmatics are best:

• in positions of mediation and unity
• in storms that need a calming hand
• in routines that might seem dull to others

but sometimes they:

• lack motivation and lapse into lethargy
• resist change with an uncommunicative iron will
• have a tough time making decisions and saying “no.”

3. personality can be used in ministry for the glory of God.

4. God’s intention is that every follower of Jesus have a -controlled personality.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25, ESV)

5. At Ingleside, we are building a ministry culture where . . .

• We are of personality differences.
• We personality differences.
• We personality differences.