Learning About Yourself: GPS Spiritual Inventory
by Beth Yarborough
Many surveys are available for use to learn about ourselves – who we are, who we want to be, where we’ve been, where we want to go, etc. Post-college and my early career years the Myers-Briggs personality profile was the big thing. And taking it once wouldn’t do – at every turn, at every new job, on every non-profit board, we were asked to complete the Myers-Briggs. I fluctuated between an ENFJ and an ENFP depending on my mood for the day but always found it to be an interesting tool and a great conversation starter.
Then came the required inventories for entrance into seminary. The Myers-Briggs once again, the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), and a few more. An inventory that proves to be helpful with congregations is the Spiritual Gifts Inventory, a questionnaire for helping people discern where God has equipped them for ministry. Peoplemap and DISC are also helpful inventories, both of which I have learned about in my coach training.
Recently I was introduced to the GPS Spiritual Inventory, an inventory that assesses the depth of your relationship with God, the level of self-differentiation, and capacity for empathy for others. The author is Rev. Dr. Paul Burns who developed GPS as a part of his doctoral work. After hearing a presentation by Dr. Burns, I decided to make an appointment with him to take the GPS and have a follow-up conversation. After taking the inventory on-line, we reviewed my scores. I was both encouraged and relieved that after 70+ years of struggles, false-starts, goof-ups, and successes that I was able to find myself on the spiritual inventory map! The test and the conversation with Dr. Burns were insightful and helpful.
I have found this inventory useful in my coaching practice. Often the question comes, “Where do you see God in this situation?” This inventory is effective as coaches partner with clients in the on-going discernment of their call to ministry.
Visit the website at https://soul-metrics.com/the-creator/ for more information about the GPS Spiritual Inventory. And, if you have questions about my experience or coaching with GPS, please be in touch.
Beth Yarborough
Beth Yarborough is a Pinnacle Associate and serves as Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church, Aiken, SC. She can be reached at byarborough1999@gmail.com or 803-707-8824.
