Personality Test
I just took the new Personality Pattern test. Here are my results, they’re pretty dead on. What are your top traits?
Introspective
You like your own company; you’re a very interesting person. Tracking your own mental processes, knowing what you’re thinking and why you do what you do, is important to you. Often, what’s going on in your mind is more compelling than what’s going on outside. For the most part, those with a high score on the “introspective” trait enjoy reading, taking long walks, learning new things, and other solitary activities.
You are not someone who is constantly looking to be among a group of friends; you never feel bored when you are by yourself.
Competent
You strive to master everything you undertake. You tend to learn quickly and do not shy away from challenges.
You are not a “que sera sera” type of person, nor do you go easy on yourself when attempting to master a new skill or get a job done.
Innovative
You come up with a lot of ideas; if one doesn’t work out, there’s always another waiting in the wings. You often have interesting solutions to difficult problems. You’re practically a one-person brainstorming session.
You are less interested changing the world than in dealing with things as they are. Unlike those who spend all their time trying to solve problems, you prefer to zero in on things that work and stick with them.
Resilient
You bounce back quickly from adversity. For you, all setbacks are temporary. You don’t dwell on bad news, bad luck, or criticism; you regroup and focus on solving the problem, whatever it may be.
You almost never feel that there’s too much on your plate, that you don’t have the strength to deal with the bad hand you’ve been dealt, or that you’re going to lose it if you have to deal with one more problem.
Curious
You like to get to the bottom of things. You’re not content knowing what someone did; you want to know why they did it.
You don’t simply take things as they are and move on; you’re not content skimming along on the surface; you don’t feel you’re wasting time by digging for the meaning of things.
Astute
You are a quick study. You generally don’t need to have things explained to you more than once. When presented with a problem, you will often have an instant understanding of where to look for the solution.
You do not take your sweet time when presented with a new task to complete or problem to solve. You don’t avoid assignments that require you to learn new skills.
Sympathetic
You have a knack for knowing what’s going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand.
You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.
Original
You are constantly coming up with new ideas. For you, the world as it exists is just a jumping-off place; what’s going on inside your mind is often more interesting than what’s going on outside.
You don’t feel that the road to success is to be a realist and stick to the program; you never stop yourself from coming up with new ideas or telling the world what you’re thinking about.
Assertive
You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others. Among those who have a high score on the “assertive” trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others.
You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.
Organized
You like to think a task through before you embark on it. If it’s the slightest bit complicated, you make a list (even if it’s only in your mind) and methodically work your way through it. When you have a goal in mind, you’re not satisfied until you reach it.
You are not one of those people who ignore the details, and you don’t understand how anyone can get anything accomplished without thoughtful planning ahead of time.
Passing the Torch
Today in my personal time with the Scriptures I read 1 Kings 1 and 2. One can’t help but reflect on why it took King David so long to pick his successor. He’s obviously dying. I mean, seriously, what guy could have a beautiful virgin wait on him 24-7 and not end up consumating the relationship. 1 Kings 1:2 even suggests that she laid in his arms in order to keep him warm. No way is David healthy. Of course, if he was I doubt she’d be there, but that only lends credence to my point.
David, should have made plans and should have even produced an exit strategy that was made known to his family in order to keep the family from becoming impatient and taking things into their own hands, as Adonijah does.
As pastors we can never believe that we’ll be where we are forever. We have to begin to locate someone who would be a likely replacement from within. We have to find someone in our family (local church) that would be able to continue to build the Kingdom of God. If we can’t find them within, then we need to find them on the outside soon enough to make them a part of the family. So, when transition begins its disruption is minimized and focus is not lost.
As a youth pastor in the United Methodist Church I witnessed a complete disaster as pastors were moved all over the state with little or no clarity on the direction of the local church. They would often take the reigns and turn the wagon so hard that the whole thing upended spilling great people out of their local body and into others.
I also saw two churches do this very well. The transitions in leadership that Southland Christian has gone through, Wayne Smith to Mike Breaux to John Weece have been done exceptionally well. The same can be said for Southeast Christian who saw the great Bob Russell hand the reigns of one of the largest churches in America to Dave Stone, who has seemingly already picked a successor in Kyle Idleman.
While it is often easy to become comfortable in where God has placed us we have to be willing to let go of the ministry that God has given us in order to care for the Church. It’s not easy. It’s just necessary.