The Psychological Temperament of Anglican Clergy in the Rural Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

This study draws on temperament theory to examine the psychological profile of Anglican clergy serving in the rural Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. All the clergy who attended the 2014 Diocesan Clergy School (N = 51) completed the Keirsey Temperament Sorter. The data demonstrated strong preference for Epimethean (SJ) Temperament: 80% of clergywomen and 65% of clergymen. The implications of these findings are discussed for valuing Epimethean ministry and at the same time affirming and retaining the distinctive gifts that the other three temperaments bring to ministry.