The very first time I heard about the Enneagram was during a leadership podcast with Pastor Andy Stanley and his guest, Ian Cron (co-author of the best-selling and highly recommended book, The Road Back to You.). Ian was giving a brief overview of all nine types, explaining that we all see the world from nine different points of view. In the context of leadership and pastoring people, this was already so helpful to me. I was instantly intrigued as I began to understand the difference between the Enneagram and other personality typing tools. The Enneagram answered one of my most common questions in my dealings with people – Why?
Since listening to that podcast, I read The Road Back to You and began listening to other pastors, church leaders, Christian artists and entrepreneurs speak about this incredible tool that was not only enhancing relationships with my husband, my kids, my parents, my sister and many of my friends, but it also caused me to do some of my own personal investigation. Much of this investigation (or “self-discovery”) turned to conviction which then turned to submission to the work of the Lord in my life. The Enneagram was not a magic wand. It was not a new doctrine or way of thinking. It simply put language to a lot of things that were inside of me and reminded me of the grace I need on a daily basis.
Much of the Enneagrams origins are unknown, but by and large, it has been used as a useful self-discovery tool by many a spiritual leader. We must understand that while some teachers, psychologists and mystics have had their own perspectives and applications of the Enneagram, I believe that it is a redeemable tool that has proven nothing but beneficial when it points back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ – our hope, our redemption, our freedom and our healing.
Thanks for reading,
Mindy