Many of you are familiar with the Myers Briggs Personality Profile. It is a multiple choice that helps you understand your preferences in the way you interact with people and situations. When my seminary required me to take this test, I wasn't surprised to learn I was typed as a “J.”  “J’s” are people who desire closure when working on projects. They tend to be highly organized and like check lists. As a marketing agent for commercial insurance coverage, I faced continual deadlines that affected the well-being of my customers. In the workplace, I thrived as a goal-oriented person.  It was my natural modus operandi. Even after enrolling as a student at Bethel Seminary in San Diego , this “J” excelled in organizing my personal and family life to accommodate the complexity of field ministry, research, papers, and ordination exams all while holding down a full-time job in a fast-paced workplace.

After completing seminary, I was called to St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Tucson , Arizona , in 2000 to be their Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Discipleship. This call seemed to be a natural fit for me. As a “J” type pastor, I felt I would be a perfect fit in this highly organized congregation. I found the initial opportunities to understand the internal structures, get to know lots of new people (staff and parishioners), and find my way around the campus were easy tasks compared to the greater challenges of pastorally responding to the never-ending needs of the people God had called me to serve. All of a sudden, my goal oriented prototype “J” needed to learn a new way to operate with people.

The Myers Briggs Profile highlights two ways in which people organize their environment. The first is “J” (as mentioned above), the second is “P”.  A person with a “P” profile likes to gather lots of information before making a decision. They do not jump into action before they known all the facts. A “P” is someone who is flexible and able to respond easily to various needs as they arise. I found that the skills that had served me so well in the workplace needed tempering in a world where ministry to real and complex human needs was the priority. Admittedly there are still times when I feel my frustration level building as I want closure on a project and instead I have to process relationship issues with other people. Like so many of you in ministry, I tend to want to do what comes naturally to me. It's in these times of growth that I simply have to rely totally on God's grace to cope.

As a new pastor I faced another challenge as I transitioned from the corporate world to congregational life. As a corporate manager, I was expected to address under-performing employees who wanted the benefits of a paycheck, but whose hearts were not invested in our corporate objectives. Under-producing workers impact productivity and therefore the profitability of businesses. When men and women in the workplace refuse to care or cooperate, there's a process that leads to termination. But the church is an organism, not a corporate entity. As the Body of Christ, we are covenant people who belong to God and to one another. And so this second challenge for me as a new pastor was to step out of the corporate mode of thinking and simply exercise grace and patience with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I learned how important it is to communicate and build a consensus of well being in the ministries for which I am responsible. Christ is the one getting his work done on earth. Christ is in partnership with his people. I am just along for the ride. I have learned that how I relate to others is much more important than measuring my productivity.

Finally, on a personal note, a third ongoing challenge for me as I moved from the corporate world into the church has been trying to maintain a healthy balance for my body and soul. I gained at least 10 pounds after moving to Tucson . I was so immersed in ministry activity that I was neglecting my body and my study habits. I have learned that I must intentionally work at this balance. The demands of ministry will swallow me up if I allow them to do so. To counter this ministry imbalance, I've proactively joined a fitness center, and I set aside one day per month just to be alone with my Lord. One Sabbath day a week is simply not sufficient. I have a hard time tuning out what's happening with people. I've realized that the disciplines of caring for my physical health and taking intentional Sabbath time are absolutely necessary for me to sustain the emotional and physical health in my ministry setting.

Making the transition from the corporate world into the church has been a challenge. But it has been a transition of blessing. I am deeply thankful to serve our Lord and the people in His Body  - and to grow as a person in the process.

Rev Carla Williams is the Associate Pastor at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tucson, Arizona