Reading and proclaiming the birth narratives from Luke and Matthew : a study in empirical theology amongst curates and their training incumbents employing the SIFT method

Drawing on Jungian psychological type theory, the SIFT method of biblical hermeneutics and liturgical preaching suggests that the reading and proclaiming of scripture reflects the psychological type preferences of the reader and preacher. This thesis is examined amongst two samples of curates and training incumbents (N = 23, 27), serving in one Diocese of the Church of England, who completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Firstly, the narrative of the shepherds from Luke was discussed by groups organised according to scores on the perceiving process. In accordance with the theory, sensing types focused on details in the passage, but could reach no consensus on the larger picture, and intuitive types quickly identified an imaginative, integrative theme, but showed little interest in the details. Secondly, the narrative of the massacre of the infants from Matthew was discussed by groups organised according to scores on the judging process. In accordance with theory, the thinking types identified and analysed the big themes raised by the passage (political power, theodicy, obedience), whilst the feeling types placed much more emphasis on the impact that the passage may have on members of the congregation mourning the death of their child or grandchild

NASA/MSFC FY88 Global Scale Atmospheric Processes Research Program Review

Interest in environmental issues and the magnitude of the environmental changes continues. One way to gain more understanding of the atmosphere is to make measurements on a global scale from space. The Earth Observation System is a series of new sensors to measure globally atmospheric parameters. Analysis of satellite data by developing algorithms to interpret the radiance information improves the understanding and also defines requirements for these sensors. One measure of knowledge of the atmosphere lies in the ability to predict its behavior. Use of numerical and experimental models provides a better understanding of these processes. These efforts are described in the context of satellite data analysis and fundamental studies of atmospheric dynamics which examine selected processes important to the global circulation

Experiencing and reflecting on thinking and feeling in pastoral care : deploying psychological type theory in continuing ministerial formation

Psychological type theory suggests that the two contrasting judging functions of thinking and feeling may be reflected in different approaches to and different practices of pastoral care. The present study describes an exercise designed to help clergy experience and explore these differences and observes and analyses the responses of two groups of clergy (curates and training incumbents) who participated in the exercise (N = 27, 15). The data commend the experience for wider application

Introverts and extraverts reflecting on the experience of Parish Ministry : conversation between training incumbents and curates

Psychological type theory suggests that introverts and extraverts may approach Christian ministry somewhat differently. This theory was tested within the context of a residential workshop attended by 15 curates, 12 of whom were accompanied by their training incumbents. Twelve themes were identified within responses to the question, “What does talk about introversion and extraversion illuminate in the ministry of incumbent and curate and in the life of the parish?” The themes from the perspective of introverts included experiencing and managing tiredness and exhaustion and difficulties experienced dealing with extravert church members. The themes from the perspective of extraverts included reflection and reflective practice, and engagement with others as a source of inspiration

Exploring organized and visionary approaches to designing an Advent Fun Day in an educational setting

This study draws on one of the four components of psychological type theory (the distinction between judging and perceiving attitudes toward the outside world) to examine the implications of these two contrasting psychological perspectives for shaping approaches to Christian ministry within an educational setting. Qualitative data were generated by two samples of clergy, and who completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (N = 15, 22). On each occasion three education groups were structured, distinguishing between high-scoring perceiving types, high-scoring judging types, and low-scoring perceiving and low-scoring judging types working together. The three groups were all asked to address the same task: to imagine, design and plan an Advent Fun Day for the parish and benefice. The data illustrated the distinction between the approaches modelled by the judging types and by the perceiving types. The implications of these findings are discussed for designing educational programmes to help clergy appreciate the connection between psychological type preferences and ministry styles

ResearchFanshawe Magazine Issue 2

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Empirical explorations into biblical theologies of grace : employing the SIFT approach among Anglican clergy

This qualitative study was positioned within an emerging scientific field concerned with empirical explorations into theologies of grace. The theoretical framework was provided by the SIFT (sensing, intuition, thinking, and feeling) approach to biblical hermeneutics, an approach rooted in reader-perspective hermeneutical theory and in Jungian psychological type theory, that explores the distinctive readings of sensing perception and intuitive perception and the distinctive readings of thinking evaluation and feeling evaluation. The empirical methodology was provided by developing a research tradition concerned with applying the SIFT approach to biblical text. In this study, a group of 32 Anglican clergy were invited to work in type-alike groups to explore biblical theologies of grace. Dividing into three workshops according to their preferences for sensing and intuition, the clergy explored the messages of grace in Matthew 6: 25-30 (birds and lilies). Dividing into three workshops according to their preferences for thinking and feeling, the clergy explored the messages of grace in Matthew 20: 1-15 (labourers in the vineyard). The rich data gathered from these workshops generated insight into contemporary theologies of grace and also confirmed the hypothesis that scriptural reading and interpretation may be shaped by the reader’s psychological type preference. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved

Rural Dimensions of Welfare Reform

This volume presents a comprehensive look at how welfare reforms enacted in 1996 are affecting caseloads, employment, earnings, and family well-being in rural areas.https://research.upjohn.org/up_press/1178/thumbnail.jp