What are they like?

Consider the facets of the ESFP’s personality:

Extroverted – they gain energy from external sources

Sensing – they are attuned to the details of life

Feeling – they make judgements based on the way they feel about a given situation

Perceiving – they are not rigid, but willing to “go with the flow”

ESFPs are some of the most fun people on the planet!  They are spontaneous and optimistic. They are upbeat and caring.  They love people and people love them (However, beware an ESFP who has been crossed – they will dig deep and resent you!).

They do tend to be overwhelmed easily when stress and negativity are brought to bear.  In these moments, because they “do not feel good or right,” the ESFP has a tendency to simplistically explain things away in order to return the balance of life to something that feels more right.

Where do they find value in their religious life?

Unsurprisingly, ESFPs are drawn to opportunities to be with others (what most churches call “fellowship”).  Given their appreciation for beauty, worship can be a meaningful time, but most would rather skip quickly through that and head straight for the cookies and punch to catch up with their friends.

If their are church outings of a social nature, expect an ESFP to be in charge!

What practices help them stay balanced and centered in God?

As with many Extroverted Sensing types, acts of service provide the ESFP with a chance to relate to the world in a way that also brings them joy and happiness.  They resonate with Jesus’ love of children and can find great satisfaction in providing meaningful experiences for children.

What practices push them to go beyond themselves and sacrifice for others?

Being so closely related to the ESFJ, the ESFP would benefit from many of the same practices.  Although they have caring for others built into the very fabric of their very being, the challenge for them comes with the reality that such a large part of their personality is externally focused and feeling based.  If not balanced, this results in a sense of right and wrong that is not entirely “grounded” – by this I mean that the main filter through which they view the world is whether or not something feels comfortable.  As we know, many situations in life which are right do not feel comfortable.

The solution for this is practices which allow them to challenge and analyze the way things initially appear to them.  Journaling, coupled with the practice of The Examen are excellent individual practices.  Debriefing with another person who views things differently is an example of a corporate practice.