Finding Our Place in and Extroverted Culture
Adam S. McHugh
What kind of personality do you have? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? The author of Introverts in the Church is an introvert and in pastoral ministry. He opens the book by telling his personal story of how he has lived as a member of the church. Scholarship was not one of the ministries he saw himself excelling in. It was too introverted even for him. He saw the church as primarily and extroverted community.
In Chapter 1, the author talks about the studies that use the Myers-Briggs testing to see how people see Jesus as an extrovert or an introvert. He sees extroverts as having and advantage in our society. This is no different in the Church. Introverts generally feel distance in their church cultures. He feels that evangelical churches allow this extroverted approach a place to grow. He admits he paints with broad strokes in this chapter. He explains three reasons he feels this way about the Evangelical church. I enjoyed the history of introverts in the Church and how preachers before the Evangelical movement addressed their listeners. Introverts in the Church, are often misunderstood.
In Chapter 2, he talks about the introvert difference. Some people see introverts as narcissists. He begins by describing how different psychologists have seen introverts. Introverts are seen by others in society with labels that are not very flattering. He explains differences between introverts and extroverts. Social activities can be draining for the introvert. Introverts internally process instead of processing through speaking. They process through internal thinking. Introverts don’t value small talk as much as deep conversations with close friends. He describes how God has created introverts to be introverts. There are studies of the brain that describe introverts better than just by their behavior.
The author explains how to find healing for introverts in Chapter 3. The world doesn’t always understand or except introverts. They are often hurt by misunderstandings by extroverts, and even other introverts. Introverts can use their personality traits as an excuse to avoid things and people. This is not necessarily healthy trait in this case. Healing does not come in just standing introverted trades. Healing can also come through trusting others too help us evaluate ourselves.
Chapter 4 discusses introverted spirituality. He talks about the discipline of silence and how technology has increased the verbose nature of our society. Technology has kept us from being fully present in our surroundings. He discusses the contemplative spirituality that many introverts are drawn to. Introverts can enjoy the spiritual discipline of solitude because it drives us toward Christ. It is different from privacy. Another good spiritual practice he describes his to listen to what God is doing in your mind and heart. We can enjoy Sabbath rest and reflection. The author introduces an introverted rule of life that helps us spiritually grow co-op six press home as introverts.
Chapter 5 describes introverted Community and relationships. This was a chapter he did not want to include in the book. He prescribed some practical things introverts can do to participate in their faith communities. He reveals he is working on these things himself. The Bible is full of communal experiences. People need to share their lives with one another. Many churches have and extroverted community model. Those who do not jump at the chance to be extroverted are viewed as less committed. Belonging and personality should not be related.
A church should not force and introvert to fit into the community but find ways to make introvert welcome. He gives a list of common gifts introverts can offer the community. The author gives principles on how to Address how to develop relationships as an introvert. He also describes the pros and cons of technology for introverts.
In chapter 6, he discusses the question of if introverts can be leaders. He describes what people believe an ideal leader looks like. Both introverts and extroverts pointed to an extroverted leader. He goes through several leadership models. People expect so much from pastors and church leaders. No one person can do everything they expect. The character traits of the best liters may surprise you. The best liters are always learning how to be even better leaders. He describes how he teaches introverts to lead. He gives examples of introvert leaders in Church history.
In Chapter 7, the author talks about leading as ourselves. He describes Moses as an example. One quote that stuck out to me was, “Calling, not personality type, is the determinative factor in the formation and longevity of a leader.” He describes the struggles of leadership in ministry. Introverted leaders need support among other people.
He talks about how to schedule Time away from ministry for introverts and about teaching and preaching. The best liters are the ones who learn how to listen to what people say and what they are not saying. He describes the hallmarks of an introverted leader. This was a helpful chapter for me as a church leader who has many introverted traits.
In Chapter 8, he described introverted evangelism. For some people, that seems like an oxymoron. Jesus calls everyone to evangelize. Each person does it in their own way. He suggests that introverts can invite people to discover and explore God’s mysteries. Instead of initiating a conversation with people, introverted evangelism can respond to how God is moving in people’s lives. He prescribes practical steps on how to evangelize as an introvert.
The final chapter talks about introverts in church who often feel uncomfortable. They tend to find more comfortable churches with a liturgy instead of a church with worship like a rock concert for worship. Worship at different points should have both introverts and extroverts uncomfortable for a time. He gives pointers on how to find a church that fits an introvert’s comfort level. He then describes how churches can better welcome introverts.
In his epilogue, he talks about finding our place in the church and community despite our personality type. I thought this was a great contribution especially for Church leaders who need to realize that different personality types react to Church activities and ministries in different ways. As a pastor, I experience the extroverted expectations of being a pastor, but I am more introverted and enjoy downtime after ministry events. I am not completely an introvert though. I appreciate It reading this book and Learning about somethings that will help me when I am ministering to others. I recommend this book to church leaders to learn how to help introverts participate in church and ministry. If you are an introvert, you would benefit from reading this book to gain insight on how to best interact with others in the church setting.
