Temperaments
One of the Six Dimensions of the MinistryMatch Assessment
Overview
The Temperaments dimension identifies how a pastor naturally responds to life and ministry situations—how they gain energy, make decisions, approach tasks, and relate to others..
No temperament is more spiritual or capable than another. Each is a reflection of God’s creative design, shaping how individuals engage people, problems, and plans. The key for your Search Team is to understand how these tendencies will influence ministry leadership within your church’s specific culture and context.
For each pair below, prayerfully consider which side of the scale your next pastor may need more strongly represented.
Your Need for Social Interaction
Innergized
Definition:
A pastor who gains energy through solitude, reflection, study, and unhurried time alone with God.
Why It Matters in Ministry:
Innergized pastors often lead with depth, thoughtfulness, and stability. They bring calm insight to complex situations and ensure that teaching and vision emerge from prayerful reflection rather than impulse.
When It’s a Strength:
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In congregations needing grounded teaching and reflective leadership.
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When the ministry culture values depth, listening, and steady presence over constant activity.
When It Might Create Tension:
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In fast-paced or highly relational environments where quick connection and visibility are expected.
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When prolonged isolation limits relational accessibility or team engagement.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Would our congregation appreciate a quieter, reflective pastor, or might they interpret that as disengaged?
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How important is constant visibility and social interaction to our church culture?
Rating Guidance:
Mark this Required if your church needs a calm, thoughtful presence that restores stability.
Mark it Preferred if reflection is valued but you also need a pastor energized by people and public engagement.
Exergized
Definition:
A pastor who gains energy through interaction, conversation, and shared experiences with others.
Why It Matters in Ministry:
Exergized pastors thrive on connection. They bring energy, warmth, and visibility to ministry life. Their enthusiasm often draws others in and helps create a strong sense of community and momentum.
When It’s a Strength:
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When the congregation responds well to high relational engagement and visible leadership.
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In seasons of outreach, growth, or community rebuilding.
When It Might Create Tension:
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In churches that value quiet reflection and deep study, or where constant activity could overwhelm others.
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When external focus overshadows necessary time for prayer, preparation, or rest.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Does our church need a leader who brings energy to every room, or one who brings calm to the chaos?
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Would a highly interactive pastor fit the personality of our congregation or wear it out?
Rating Guidance:
Mark this Required if your congregation thrives on presence, connection, and visible leadership.
Mark Preferred if the role calls for both relational warmth and private preparation in balance.
Your Approach Toward New Situations
Detail
Definition: Looks for facts, realities, and step-by-step processes.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Detail-oriented pastors keep teams grounded in what’s practical. They ensure systems, budgets, and plans are sustainable.
When It’s a Strength:
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When clarity and follow-through are essential.
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In smaller churches where one person wears many hats.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If overemphasis on details slows innovation or vision casting.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Do we need a leader who ensures precision or one who imagines new possibilities?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if you need a leader who stabilizes with structure.
Mark Preferred if big-picture thinking will drive the next season.
Big-Picture
Definition: Sees ideas, patterns, and future possibilities.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Big-picture pastors inspire vision and creativity. They often initiate new approaches and rally others around them.
When It’s a Strength:
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When your church is ready for renewal, expansion, or new direction.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If the congregation is weary of change or values steady operations.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Does our church need new ideas or refinement of what already works?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if innovation is key to your next chapter.
Mark Preferred if fresh ideas complement existing systems.
Your Corporate Orientation
Group
Definition: Prioritizes the well-being of the group, even if it occasionally challenges individual needs.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Group-oriented pastors lead through unity and collective vision. They make decisions that strengthen overall health.
When It’s a Strength:
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When unity and shared mission need strengthening.
When It Might Create Tension:
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When individuals feel unseen or undervalued.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Do we value decisions made for the collective or the individual?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if shared mission outweighs individual preference.
Mark Preferred if the church needs balance between both.
Individual
Definition: Prioritizes the needs of individuals within the group.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Individual-oriented pastors see and care deeply for people. They often excel in counseling, visitation, and shepherding.
When It’s a Strength:
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When healing, pastoral care, and personal connection are priorities.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If organizational direction requires tough group-centered decisions.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Are we looking for a shepherd of people or a guardian of mission?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if personal shepherding is central.
Mark Preferred if care can be shared across staff and elders.
Your Interpersonal Characteristics
Logical
Definition: Approaches decisions with reason, structure, and objectivity.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Logical pastors bring clarity to conflict and evaluate situations calmly.
When It’s a Strength:
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When leadership requires tough, unbiased decisions.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If members need deep emotional empathy or visible compassion.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Does our church value clear reasoning or relational warmth more?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required when analytical thinking is crucial.
Mark Preferred when balanced with empathy.
Relational
Definition: Approaches decisions through empathy and personal understanding.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Relational pastors feel deeply and connect quickly. They often foster a caring, emotionally safe culture.
When It’s a Strength:
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When your congregation needs healing or relational renewal.
When It Might Create Tension:
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When decisions require detachment or firm boundaries.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Do we need a pastor who feels deeply or one who leads with analysis?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if compassion-driven leadership defines your church.
Mark Preferred when balanced with discernment and clarity.
Your Need for Sequence and Planning
Planner
Definition: Prefers to organize carefully and follow plans closely.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Planner pastors create dependable systems that prevent chaos and sustain ministry long-term.
When It’s a Strength:
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In churches needing process, foresight, and well-ordered ministries.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If overplanning stifles spontaneity or responsiveness.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Does our church need stability through structure or flexibility for growth?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if predictability and organization are top priorities.
Mark Preferred if flexibility must accompany structure.
Adapter
Definition: Prefers flexibility, adjusting plans as circumstances change.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Adapter pastors bring calm under pressure and handle unexpected changes well.
When It’s a Strength:
When flexibility and quick decision-making are vital.
When It Might Create Tension:
If the church expects predictable structure and long-term planning.
Church Discussion Prompts:
Do we thrive with spontaneity or steady predictability?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if adaptability defines your ministry environment.
Mark Preferred when used alongside structured systems.
Your Need for Closure
Finisher
Definition: Prefers completing tasks and bringing closure before moving on.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Finisher pastors are disciplined and reliable, ensuring projects are completed with excellence.
When It’s a Strength:
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When accountability and follow-through are key to success.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If the church values exploration and multitasking over closure.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Do we need a completer or a visionary starter?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if your church values dependability and finish lines.
Mark Preferred if completion can be delegated to others.
Processor
Definition: Prefers open-ended exploration and flexibility rather than firm closure.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Processor pastors thrive in brainstorming and ongoing refinement. They keep creativity alive.
When It’s a Strength:
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When innovation or continuous improvement are key.
When It Might Create Tension:
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In churches needing structure or concrete results.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Do we embrace ongoing process or prefer firm conclusions?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if creative iteration defines your culture.
Mark Preferred if process complements others’ follow-through.
Your Level of Self-Assertion
Pro-Active
Definition: Initiates action and prefers leading rather than waiting.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Pro-active pastors drive progress. They take initiative before problems arise.
When It’s a Strength:
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When decisive leadership and forward motion are needed.
When It Might Create Tension:
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In slower-paced cultures that value patience and group consensus.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Are we ready for a catalyst or a responder?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if bold leadership and initiative are vital.
Mark Preferred when proactive energy should balance a cautious culture.
Responsive
Definition: Waits to act until input is received or conditions are clear.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Responsive pastors are steady, patient, and thoughtful. They listen carefully and avoid premature decisions.
When It’s a Strength:
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When your church values deliberation and careful discernment.
When It Might Create Tension:
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When momentum or timely action is needed.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Do we need a leader who moves first or one who ensures everyone’s voice is heard?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if consensus and timing matter more than speed.
Mark Preferred when responsiveness must complement decisive action.
Your Need for Variety
Perseverant
Definition: Prefers long-term projects requiring sustained attention and follow-through.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Perseverant pastors bring dependability and focus. They keep initiatives moving when others lose interest.
When It’s a Strength:
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When long-term faithfulness and stability are valued.
When It Might Create Tension:
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If ministry demands frequent change or multitasking.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Are we entering a season of long-term rebuilding or rapid adaptation?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if endurance and consistency define your needs.
Mark Preferred when complemented by flexibility on your team.
Flexible
Definition: Prefers change, variety, and handling many short-term tasks effectively.
Why It Matters in Ministry: Flexible pastors handle shifting priorities with ease. They bring agility to dynamic ministry settings.
When It’s a Strength:
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In fast-paced or constantly changing environments.
When It Might Create Tension:
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When the church needs deep follow-through on long projects.
Church Discussion Prompts:
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Does our ministry environment reward variety or persistence?
Rating Guidance:
Mark Required if agility and multitasking are essential.
Mark Preferred if variety enriches, but focus sustains, your mission.