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.
