In Episode #4186 of Day1, we welcome Rev. Danny Lybarger, founding pastor of The Well in Weldon Spring, Missouri, as he and host Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime dive into the transformative insights of the Enneagram for Christians. Known for his reflective, inclusive approach to faith and ministry, Rev. Lybarger brings a refreshing perspective on this personality tool, emphasizing its potential to foster deeper spiritual growth, empathy, and effective Christian leadership.

Whether you're an Enneagram enthusiast or exploring it for the first time, this thoughtful conversation touches on practical ways to embrace your unique gifts and challenges in your walk with Christ, with valuable references from renowned theologian Richard Rohr and the StrengthsFinder assessment.

Watch the Clip

Rev. Danny Lybarger
So I'm an Enneagram 8, if you know anything about the Enneagram, and so I—

Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
Oh, I love Enneagram so much. Oh, don't start—oh yes. Keep going...

Rev. Danny Lybarger
I'm a big challenger, but I would like to say I'm a nice 8—is what I try to tell people. But I always want to defend the people that feel voiceless.

And so I remember when I was in seminary or undergrad, I was in a Bible class. And there was a book we were reading. It was called The Meaning of Jesus, and it was written by two people: Marcus Borg and N. T. Wright.

And we had to choose someone to defend, and everyone chose N. T. Wright, who I was like, I dig N. T. Wright.

But no one was helping my man Borg out, and so I said, I'm going to defend this guy. And this was the first time I really defended a more progressive view. I wasn't really brought into Christianity from a progressive perspective, but it was interesting to argue for him.

And so that was a moment that I realized I always want to be the counter to whatever the norm of the room is. I just always find myself in this constant tension. And as an 8, it doesn't bother me at all. But I always feel like I'm stuck and I'm not enough for anyone on any side.

Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
Oh, as a 7, I would die inside all the time. That's so generative and helpful, though, that you are able to stay in those points of tension. Oh, I love you 8s. You win a lot, too.

Rev. Danny Lybarger
We win a lot, but we also break a lot of things in the process, which is like—we try not to do that.

Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
Oh, I love it. Okay, Danny, sometimes there's like questions and times on this show that I'm dying to ask people what their Enneagram is.

But since you've brought it up, now I have permission. But we need to give people a little primer about what Enneagram is, so I'm going to start and you help me clean up.

So, Enneagram is a personality typing system, like there are so many in the world. And how would you finish it?

Rev. Danny Lybarger
Yeah, I mean, I would say it helps.

For me, it's different than all the other ones because it is in many ways rooted in some of my weaknesses or flaws. But I actually think that it's inherently far more hopeful than that. So people stay away from it because it looks really dark.

And so, like, if you're an 8, like, you might be power-hungry, you might be domineering—and you see that and you're like, well, I don't want to classify myself as that.

But when I look at it, I see some of the pitfalls for areas that I could lead poorly. And it tells me what I would look like if I led really healthily.

And so, like, things like StrengthsFinder—also huge nerd of StrengthsFinder—but it only tells me the things I'm good at. Like, I want to know the pitfalls and the things I'm bad at.

And so I've really enjoyed it because it's given me kind of what I think is deeply spiritual language for leadership conversations about how to be the person God created me to be.

In some of the areas that I try to avoid, but also the areas I can leverage to be the actual person God created me to be.

Reflection

Rev. Lybarger’s insights offer a powerful reminder that understanding our personalities through the Enneagram can significantly enrich our Christian walk. By embracing the challenges and opportunities our personality types present, we can develop deeper empathy, resilience, and spiritual maturity.

Reflect on the following questions in your own faith journey:

• What Enneagram type do you identify with, and how does that shape your faith and leadership style?
• How might understanding your type help you to more effectively connect and minister to others?
• Can recognizing your weaknesses through the Enneagram become a spiritual practice, deepening your reliance on God’s grace?

May this reflection lead you to further spiritual growth and compassionate understanding of yourself and others.

Explore Rev. Danny Lybarger’s full sermon from episode 4186 >>>