I believe Strengthfinders to be similar to the spiritual gifts exams. I have never taken one of these, but I know my gifts by, like I said earlier, “a good bit of self-analysis and development of my faith.” I have always appreciated the comment of the man who has spiritually mentored my wife and me for the past two years regarding the spiritual assessments. He said, “I know my gifts and my strengths because they burn inside of me, longing to be released.” What he is alluding to is that we can find out most things by seeking and asking the Lord who created us with these unique abilities. “You receive not, because you ask not!” What better (and seemingly quicker) way to realize, understand, and best utilize our unique God-given gifts and strengths, then to ask the one who made us to reveal them within us.

I do like the Strengthfinder assessment. I believe it to be an effective tool in many ways. It can definitely jump-start the search process of further self-discovery. But for churches to depend upon it for putting people into specific positions of leadership borders on Joel Osteenism. I suppose if this is your church model, then it would fit right in.

This said, keep using the assessment with caution. It truly is like most assessments insofar as it will provide a good deal of help with complex issues. But, can Strengthfinders possibly carry the weight that it has been given in attempting to complement the incredible calling that God has placed upon our lives? I’d much rather place all my eggs in my Holy Spirit-basket.

I think tests like these are helpful up to a point. Hopefully, the person taking the test has a bit more going on upstairs than to take the results and let it define them - putting themselves inside a box, as it were - rather than seeing it as a starting point.

Speaking of self-reporting, there was another test given at Bethel (can’t remember the name) that I thought was absolutely ridiculous in terms of the inane questions it asked. Things about the nature and frequency of my drug/alcohol use and whether or not I hear voices in my head (doesn’t everyone??) or have hallucinations made me wonder who they thought would actually answer this stuff. I mean, hello, I’m a seminary student - even *I* know that it wouldn’t be in my “best interest” to be candid on a voluntary personality test to admit to aberrant behavior!

I can see it now:
Me: “Yes, I still smoke lots of pot, bu I’ve managed to get my coke habit down to 1/2 a gram a week, and I rarely drop acid or take ’shrooms anymore, but ecstasy is still pretty fun. I also am into cutting, S&M, and animal sacrifice, but I no longer keep the organs in my freezer.”
Bethel: “Uh, yeah… we’d like to talk to you for a moment… in private.”
Me: “What? Was it something I said?”

Of course, when I went in for my psychological assessment later, it was pointed out that I had somewhat high scores in PIM (Positive Image Management), apparently because I have an “addictive” personality (whatever that means), yet claimed to have never done drugs nor ever been alcohol dependent! Imagine that! Of course, it could’ve been the fact that I’d been raised in a strong Christian household and then spent 18 years in the Marine Corps (who *really* frown on having their officers be druggies - go figure).

So yeah, all that is to say that these tests aren’t wholly without merit, but they shouldn’t be looked at as some sort of magic 8-ball that’s going to tell me what I should do with my life. I already have a pretty solid calling from God - so for me it was rather affirming to see that my “strengths” would be helpful to me in terms of being a chaplain. But then, wouldn’t that make sense for God to equip His servants to do the work to which He’d called them?

Dr. Scorgie, you might want to contact your colleague who is mentioned in this article - wouldn’t it be fun to see what some research has done with the instrument you malign?

It seems there like are some very enthusiastic folks who are passionate about StrengthsFinder. Perhaps in their zeal it has been interpreted as idolatry or even passing over some of the limitations of the test.

I think maybe a larger argument needs to be made that affirms the strengths of these tools as well as the limitations. so we do well to heed some of the pitfalls that Dr. Scorgie brings up. But I also hope that we can sit in the tension that these tools can be used for redemptive purposes as well destructive ones. The devil used rock music for evil — but dare I say that it can be used to bring glory to the one from all music comes from?

From my experience, the Enneagram and Strengthsfinder have been very helpful in my journey to be more aware of how I interact with God and knowing him more. Growing in deeper clarity of my strengths (as well as my resulting weaknesses), my gifts, and my sins — leads me into a place of worship of how God has made me uniquely as well as in deep repentance of the ways that those gifts have been twisted and manipulated.

Though I’m not necessarily in disagreement with Dr. Scorgie’s post, I do want to offer a different perspective. One reason is that I’m a biased long-time (seven years) practitioner.

Here are a few things to consider:

First, when I heard the history of how the instrument was created, and the thousands of people interviewed and assessed, it provided credibility to me. Brian Schubring had this research, and I’m not sure where to access it (it would be helpful if Gallup published this more openly). You can Google Brian to contact him if interested. It may help (as stated above) that every instrument has its limits as the human person (and mind) is so complex, and has so many variables. Should people stay away from instruments altogether for this reason?

Second, Though the instrument is self-reporting, the follow up is often communally confirmed (or rejected). The instrument provides a language that most people can identify and communicate with (because it is relatively simple). It provides a hypothesis for someone to engage others with as they continue their journey of self-discovery. And, with a Christian view, this can be a wonderful act of worship. To paraphrase Calvin, “To know God is to know thyself, and to know thyself is to know God.” Much of the homework we have given people in our community of faith involves interviewing people to see how their “strengths” match up with reality.

Third, Marcus Buckingham’s new book is a great, practical corrective for anyone who desires to know themselves better beyond 34 terms. It’s entitled: “Go, Put Your Strengths to Work.” It helps people think and consider how their God-given talents play out in every day life. For example, instead of just saying, “I have WOO (winning others over)”, I might say, specifically, “I am good at influencing people when I first meet them, and I often do this by smiling and building a bridge with them.”

Fourth, viewed in the light of Scripture and Christian tradition, StrengthsFinder has the potential to propel people towards becoming whom God has intended he or she to be. After all, we each are specifically, and uniquely knitted together with as God’s masterpiece (Ps. 139, Eph. 2:10). And, isn’t “The glory of God humanity full alive”? Well, strengths asks, “What makes you alive.”

Fifth, Strengths does not speak into character weakness or flaw (that’s not its purpose as I understand). I feel as though this point (#3), Dr. Scorgie, can be misleading. Contrary to your statements, the idea has more to do with Return on investment. So, if two people take a language class, and put the same time into, there is a good chance, one will have a higher affinity, as well as, higher aptitude. The one with a lower aptitude may be “weaker”, but why should they focus on something they aren’t naturally (or spiritually) gifted to do. Wouldn’t it make more sense to focus on what they ARE good at. Even the apostle Paul says, “Do all have the same gifts” in Corinthians.

Sixth, Inherent in Strengths is knowing what you ARE NOT strong in. This has everything to do with a healthy doctrine of humanity and the gift of limits. I would say, most of us in our face-paced, Blackberry, Latte drinking life don’t know limits—we have more of a Messiah-complex—that is, we can do EVERYTHING. Strengths stresses the value of team and everyone contributing what they are good at. So, this can actually build unity, decrease unhealthy competition, and increase the value of asking for help and partnering with those gifted in areas others are “weak” in.

Seventh, having a common language can actually put someone outside the box that assumptions often keep people in. It may be counterintuitive to say that having a limited language of 34 terms actually gives people freedom, but in my experience, that’s exactly what it has done.

At the very least, Strengths gets people talking and discovering—even if they disagree

I am not an expert in much at all, many are my betters. However, in commenting on these two I found them extremely helpful to me. The Enneagram, of the many I have taken in the past 15 years, was the best.

God did make us completely unique. Even in our ability to have good grammar and type without errors. (true but put here for a little tongue and cheek! smile). In this we must take care. Our natural tendency to use what was developed in our homes, upbringings, etc. as our tests, especially first impressions, taking our filters, and categories and judging others by them can be, well we can miss the greatness and genius God designed, as well as greatly hurt others, by prejudice. I am amazed at how intolerant some people who defend tolerance are!

The bottom line is loving one another. You shall know his disciples by the love they have for one another! Are we passing this test? Loving our parents, our wives, children, neighbors? How about loving our enemies!

You’ve spotted some of the weaknesses in the instrument, but for some of us, it can draw out and hold up for our examination what we’ve missed. Others who have done their reflective work can do without it. I happened to find it a helpful tool in identifying my own areas of strength — and the shadow weakness in those areas.

Though you haven’t won me over with this opinion — I’m glad you’ve shared it!