Giveaway: Win a copy of “Introverts in the Church” by subscribing to alanrudnick.org, follow @alanrud on Twitter, comment on this post, or “Like” the Facebook page. The winner will be selected @ 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
In college, I was able to spend time with two international public speakers, pastors, and authors. These two people were electric in front of people. Able to be funny, compelling, and keep a crowd’s attention. As I spent one-on-one time with these speakers, I realized that they were withdrawn and seemingly non-social. Was there something wrong with me?
If you are public speaker or a church person it must mean you are an extrovert! Singing, talking, eating, serving and doing all those “churchy” things in public. Enter, Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture by Adam S. McHugh.
McHugh dispels the myth that only extroverts can thrive and lead in the church. He traces the Great Awakening as an important moment for extroverts coming to the forefront of church lift. Outdoor preachers like George Whitfield set the standard for grandstanding preaching. Since half the American population is an introvert it would only seem logical that there would be many books on introverted people in the church, but there are not.
There is a great deal of psychology in the book. McHugh doesn’t shoot from his hip (that wouldn’t be very introverted, would it). He supplies a ton of data and cultural studies on American’s habits and church culture. The author is quick to present a more complex nature to introverts than just shyness:
Introverts can be elusive in social settings, depending on our comfort and energy level going into a situation. If you ask different people acquainted in various capacities and contexts with a particular introvert, you may get very different perceptions. Some might say he is cold and distant, but others might say he is warm and outgoing. (43)
Adam McHugh
Extroverts get all the glory and are often compared to how introverts don’t match up. McHugh details how, in some ways, introverts are compared to extroverts unfairly. The time away from others charges introverts, while extraversion lights up extroverts. By walking us through, very methodically, how introverts see spirituality, evangelism, community, and leadership the author help us extroverts (myself included) understand that having stardom is not the only way to be a pastor or leader. He also explains how extroverts can be handicapped by their ego, drive, and high risk choices.
Things like character over charisma are often traits that introverts can bring to a church setting. Charisma can come and go, but true character is often harder to find. In addition, churches need to allow space and opportunities for introverts to thrive and connect. Simple things like pauses of silence, slower paced evening worship, and giving open-ended questions so that introverts can chew on an idea over a longer period of time.
After I finished my time with the two speakers I mentioned at the start of this book review, I realized that they were introverts. They were using the down time as a way to recharge. Maybe if there were more books like this one I wouldn’t have looked like idiot chattering away.
Reading this book will help us extroverts see the opportunity and create space for introverts. I highly recommend Introverts in the Church.
Introverts in the Church. Adam S. McHugh. IVP Press.
8 Comments
Finally, a voice for us “innies”, as we weren’t going to complain. Just read Time’s take on the same issue, too. No. 1 thing to remember; we need time away from the chatter.
I loved this book. It is liberating and challenging all at the same time for introverts who want to be involved in ministry.
[…] of “Introverts in the Church” by subscribing to alanrudnick.org, follow @alanrud on Twitter, comment on the book review post, or “Like” the Facebook page. The winner will be selected @ 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, […]
I think this is a really important book. I was a youth pastor for a long time and it was a struggle sometimes as an introvert in a predominantly extroverted profession.
Tom, it is amazing how we tell people that in order to be helpful in ministry that they have to be extroverts. Can’t God use an introvert?
What a find!!! I never thought I was an introvert. I like to be social, in spurts. And I am not afraid to speak in front of the church or help out. But I need my down time with my family and do not participate in many social things in the church. Specifically Gospel Community. In past churches we were made to feel guilty for our lack of attendance at GC. With 3 kids of our own, it was a major stress and just took so much out of me. Kids are running everywhere, people everywhere, everyone talking at the same time, trying to eat amidst the chaos made me sick to my stomach, kids are getting sleepy & cranky, impossible to have an adult conversation, and knowing my family wants to be at home in the peace and quiet of our home studying with each other. I struggled with am I being selfish, etc. But God knows my heart and this issue is always in our face. It’s difficult to attend a missionally minded and gospel centered church and not be “super social”. I can’t wait to read this book! Churches should extend grace and not think everyone is to fit in the same personality box.
and balancing extrovert pastoral staff with introvert pastoral staff, is very interesting to watch (at least for this introvert) – glad to see your work here – thanks
I already follow you on Twitter, but didn’t know if a comment here was necessary. I would love a copy of this book, having worked in the church for sometime and being an introvert and being married to a woman who is a minister and an extrovert. We balance each other out and both champion the cause of all people (introverts and extroverts) in the church. It’s nice to see others talking about it as well.