HOW TO MINISTER TO DRIVERS LIKE PAUL, EXPRESSIVES LIKE PETER OR AMIABLES LIKE JOSEPH - TEMPERAMENTS AND CONTEXTUALIZED CRISIS INTERVENTION
Personality types as developed through one’s heredity or from one’s environment can also greatly influence the way one contextually views crisis.
The various combinations of these temperaments can make a great effect on the ways in which people respond instinctively to crisis. As the Spirit of God fills each Christian, there is a emphasis on the strengths of each personality type and a lessening of one’s negative traits. Even a greater balance of the strengths of some of the temperaments begins to substitute former deficiencies in certain people’s personality expressions. Briefly, let us mention the basic four temperaments in describing how they will tend to respond during times of crisis:
1. The Driver-Designer-Developer - This person is determined to reach his goal regardless of the adversity he faces. He concentrates on the tasks that are before him and is driven to accomplish, achieve, and succeed. When adversity strikes he is generally able to control his feelings and set his face like a flint - unashamedly. Sometimes, he can appear harsh, severe, and autocratic in his manner, which in itself helps to avoid many minor crisis. Pushy to a fault, this person can drive others as hard as he pushes himself until fatigue sets in. He can be quick to condemn others attempts to solve crisis, since he is strong in his opinions about the best ways to bring about conflict resolutions. However, his take charge attitudes allow him to mediate and bring peace during the times of crisis. Consider one of the most famous drivers from Acts 27-28, the apostle Paul. Notice his managerial abilities to bring peace during a disasterous shipwreck experience:
``On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approached land . . . Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then PAUL SAID TO THE CENTURION AND THE SOLDIERS, ``UNLESS THESE MEN STAY WITH THE SHIP, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED.’’ So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. ``For the last fourteen days,’’ he said, ``you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food- you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.’’ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board . . . ’’
Notice Paul gave examples to the believers and non-believers alike. He first showed them that God had assured him that no one would be harmed if they followed his directions, a typical driver response to crisis. With his decisive, efficient, and practical approach to problem solving the Centurion preserved Paul’s life in spite of the soldiers desires to kill all of the prisoners. Paul’s firm faith allowed others to see that a driver filled with the Spirit of God makes for one of the best leaders during crises.
Drivers are people who tend to measure values by results and can often appear to be autocratic in the process of crisis management. Although they need to learn how to listen to the concerns of others, they are usually understood best by seeing them as task related rather than relational in their orientations. Their desire for efficiency, accomplishments, and success drives them on when others despair and give in to defeat. They need to hear about options and probabilities of success from their counselors in order to maximize their abilities to calm the fears of their followers. Give them wide opportunities to build their own structures, programmes, and strategies. They are best when they are given independent and the authority to accomplish their tasks even during crisis. Drivers who are in the contextualization ministry are often some of the best missionaries due to their undaunted determination to achieve their goals even in the most difficult of circumstances!
2. Expressive - Influencers - During times of emergencies, these people are free with their expressions and often impulsive with their responses. Several minutes ago, I talked with a friendly expressive who had just come from the strife torn regions of Kaduna State. He told me, ``I will gladly surrender my life in defense for my Kagoro people. We are past the point of turning the other cheek. We are ready to pay any price in the preservation of our identity.’’ As he spoke his eyes were aflame with rage for the dozens of Kagoro people who lost their lives in the ethnic skirmish the weekend before at Zagon- Kataf village. His actions were open, eager, and free in letting me know exactly how he was feeling. Since I have known him, he has always been completely open with his feelings to most people. Sometimes too open as he does not always think through the implications of everything he says. He is usually more concerned about his delivery than the content of his message, since his expressions are more felt than thought through. His manner is most inspiring during times of crisis since his enthusiasm is often contagious. He can be so dramatic at times, that a listener must take only a certain percentage of what he says as literal and the rest as passion. However, his warm personal approach to others encourages them to trust him more than most other temperaments during times of difficulty.
His biggest weaknesses come in the areas of his excitability, impulsiveness, and spontaneity. He can too easily react out of anger without taking time to think through the possible consequences of his actions. Since he is skilled in conversation, he can also manipulate others into doing things that later are regretted. Since he tends to wear his feelings and ego out in the open, people are reticent to follow him because they fear his hasty reactions. When he is living carnally and attacked he will usually want to return evil for evil. He constantly needs to reassured that his efforts are appreciated since he likes to have others visit and converse with him about all issues that involve him. He is easily impressed by others dreams, visions, and intuitions without judging them in the light of objective truth. He is very interested in the people more than programmes so he an important man to connect contextualizers with the people who influence others in society. Allow this kind of person to give his testimony of the great things the Lord is doing in his life and he will inspire many. His special skills lie in the social area where he can mediate, counsel, encourage, and console people with the truth. Consider the approach to crisis taken by Peter, the apostle, a famous expressive from Acts 11:1-18:
``The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ``You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with.’’
Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: ``I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me, ’Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
``I replied, ’Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
``The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ’Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.
``Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ’Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’
``As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ’John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?’’
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ``So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.’’
Peter is accused of eating Gentile food with sinners. Most strict Jews would consider this an abomination. Most Jews would not even enter a Gentile’s home, let alone sit down and fellowship with one over a meal cooked by a Gentile. This was almost as serious a deserting one’s family and religion. To many, Peter was violating the great ancestral laws and customs. We even know that Paul had to rebuke Peter in Galatians for double mindedness later on, so this was a particularly difficult crisis for Peter in his mind and in his practice.
Notice that Peter does not defend himself as much as he states the fact of the Lord’s message and encounter. He shared with passion that the Spirit had come upon these Gentiles in a visible way. He even points out the fact that he takes six of his Jewish friends with him as witnesses to the precedent setting transformation. In Egyptian law, it took seven witnesses to completely prove a case in any court. To the Roman way of thinking, seven seals were needed to authenticate a very important point in a legal manner. Peter is testifying with great power and veracity that the evidence that God is making provisions for a special Gentiles church are indisputable. This was not a matter of human logic as much as it was an actual intervention by God and assured everyone that this cross-cultural contextualized church planting was authenticated, initiated, and enabled by God.
Expressives are great at giving demonstrations to the Spirit and Power. This is one of the reasons why the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches are growing with such magnitude. They are entering the two-thirds world with expressive demonstrations that give visible evidence to the authority of God to heal, deliver from the forces of evil,and bring untold blessings to those who call on His name! However, when there is a contradiction in the lives of these believers there is also great discredit given to the name of Christianity. When an expressive’s actions do not match his words there is a negation of the message and the messenger in the eyes of his followers!
3. Amiables-Team Players - Amiables are great friends - loyal, supportive, and caring. Their genuine sense of humility attracts many people to them as those in whom they feel most confident in confiding. Although his deliberate approach often bores people, his methodical way of approaching problems often is most effective. His down-to-earth manner of dealing with crisis usually brings comfort to those around him although he may feel great sense of doubt about his own abilities to cope. Possessed with an internal sense of fear and uncertainty, he is generally more of a reactor than an initiator. He needs to know that he is being given attention otherwise he will automatically feel that others do not care about him because of his general low self-esteem. He needs encouragement to reach out in looking for new solutions rather than simply relying on the past securities and traditions that seem so familiar. His usual desire during confrontation is to acquiesce to the pressures for he does not like to argue. His agreeable nature makes him an easy target for those who are eager to overwhelm him with threats, intimidations, and warnings. He constantly needs reassurance that he is able to cope with the difficulties that surround him. Naturally doubtful, he needs faith not only in God, but in his own abilities to accomplish great things for God. He needs thorough explanations about matters before he is willing to act during times of adversity. He would rather play the role of a supporter than a leader naturally, but can be a great example if filled by the Spirit of God.
His greatest temptation is to place relationships over truth as he is fond of thinking in terms of peace rather than conflict. He continually is hounded by fears of rejection so he tends to give into people’s demands unless controlled by faith in the Lord Jesus and His empowering word. Since he can one of the best kind of team players, he is a great second man in many organizations because of his patient ability to keep things in a larger perspective. During times of hardship, this person is the most reliable in staying with those he loves, admires, and is committed to. His willingness to be humble and listen to orders is perhaps his most noteworthy characteristic. However, since he is so slow and reticent to act, he tends to procrastinate in his duties. As a result he can miss out on many great opportunities when the drivers and expressives have already acted on what they believe is right. His naturally submissive manner of leadership has always a calming effect on others since they know he is a dependable person who stands by his word.
During crisis he needs to learn how to increase his level of courage and face the root causes and persons behind the problems. He needs to be more direct in his approach to problems and not hesitate to make a decision. Due to his naturally cautious manner, he often waits until he has all the information at his disposal before he will even venture a guess about the best actions to take. He needs to increase his pace in making decisions lest others become distraught with him and follow other more exciting leaders. His reluctance to express his feelings makes him hard to understand. Consequently, others are often puzzled by his thinking. Many view him as complex and sometimes purposely elusive. He needs to be more concerned with the efficiency, effectiveness, and success of the tasks of his organization to balance out his people pleasing mannerisms. Amiables are often content to rest in the firm assurances of promises such as Rom. 8:28 that says,
``For we know that God causes all things to work together for good to love who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes!’’
Example - Joseph was a man possessed with amiable like characteristics who knew how to use these during times of crisis. God and Pharaoh both promoted Joseph because of his sterling character. His honesty would not allow him to rest until he reported the evil conduct of the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah to fathers. This incurred the wrath of his brothers who eventually sold him into slavery. Joseph knew that where there are envy and selfish ambition there will be strife and every kind of evil working. (James 3:16) Although he was only 17 he was man that was considered trustworthy and greatly loved by his father Jacob. In slavery, Joseph refused to become bitter, but continued to act discreetly refusing to gratify his sexual desires with Potiphar’s wife urging him into bed. Joseph’s faith that God could even use this tragedy for His purposes proved to be the saving grace for Israel. Joseph learned that forgiveness is the key to defusing most conflicts as they begin from within the heart of each man. He fully understood the mercy of God and could not see himself as better than God. Even when Joseph had an opportunity to extract vengeance upon his brothers he refused choosing rather to treat them with kindness. (Gen 42-45)
``Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt . . . . Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. so when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. ``Where do you come from? he asked. ``From the land of Canaan,’’ they replied, ``to buy food’’.
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, ``You are spies!’’ You have come to see where our land is unprotected . . . ’’
On the third day, Joseph said to them, ``Do this and you will live, for I fear God; If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.’’ This they proceeded to do . . .
Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left . . . .
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out. ``Have everyone leave my presence!’’ So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
Joseph said to his brothers, ``I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, ``COME CLOSE TO ME.’’ When they had done so, he said, ``I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt!
Often the amiables who are filled with the Spirit of God are given extra ordinary discernment during times of crisis. Their cool heads are able to mediate conflicts for others who are not able to contain their fear, anxiety, or anger. They refuse to give themselves over to bitterness, hate, resentment, and strife. They have a firm faith that the righteous will be protected, guided, and promoted because of the consistent faithfulness in the little things. (Luke 16:10) Notice that Joseph was given wise counsel from God during times of adversity that benefitted himself, his family, and his tribe. Joseph did not miss God’s blessing because he trusted God for the knowns of the present and the unknowns of the future. Contextualizer with this temperament or ministering to people with these characteristics should appreciate the ways the Spirit of God worked through the strengths and weaknesses of this personality type.
