The science of congregation studies and psychographic segmentation: O come all ye thinking types?

Abstract

Previous research employing Jungian psychological type theory has both demonstrated that Church of England inherited congregations have problems engaging thinking types and suggested that fresh expressions of church have failed to address that problem. Three previous studies, however, have reported higher proportions of thinking types attending cathedral carol services. The present study was designed to check that finding on a larger sample. The Francis Psychological Type Scales were completed by 941 participants at the afternoon Carol Services held in Liverpool Cathedral on Christmas Eve 2019, and the data compared with the profile of 3304 participants within 140 inherited congregations. The present study also found a higher proportion of thinking types among the participants at these carol services. These findings suggest that cathedral carol services may be functioning as fresh expressions of church in a significant way. Further research is needed to explore whether other cathedral services may function in similar ways.Contribution: Situated within the science of congregation studies, rooted in psychological type theory and drawing on data from 941 participants at the afternoon Carol Services held in Liverpool Cathedral on Christmas Eve 2019, this study confirms that cathedral carol services at Christmas are more successful than either inherited church or fresh expressions of church in reaching thinking types.

Are Anglican cathedrals more inclusive than parish churches?

“…All three replication studies confirmed Walker's initial findings that cathedral carol services were providing events reaching people whom Sunday activities were finding it hard to reach. 17 In terms of place, two initial studies applying psychological type theory to cathedral visitors reported on 381 visitors to St Davids Cathedral and on 157 visitors to Chester Cathedral. These two initial studies were followed by more substantial studies of 2,327 visitors to St Davids Cathedral 18 and 1,082 visitors to a further four cathedrals.…”

Implicit religion, Anglican cathedrals, and spiritual wellbeing: The impact of carol services

“…In the fourth paper, Walker (2015) identified clear demographic differences among those attending cathedral carol services and ordinary Sunday congregations, including a higher proportion of men and a higher proportion of younger people. The research tradition established by Walker in Worcester cathedral and in Lichfield Cathedral has been extended to Bangor Cathedral by Francis, Edwards and ap Siôn (2021) and to Liverpool Cathedral by , Francis, Jones & McKenna (2020, 2021a, 2021b, and Pike (2022).…”