I am reading Adam McHugh’s book, Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture: an interesting book:
In our day, I am convinced that introverts are an important ingredient in the antidote to what ails evangelicalism. Our slower pace of life, our thoughtfulness, our spiritual and intellectual depth, and our listening abilities are prophetic qualities for the evangelical community, calling us to a renewed understanding of God and a fresh reading on the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Yet because of the extroverted bias in many of our churches, introverts are leading double lives. We are masquerading as extroverts in order to find acceptance, yet we feel displaced and confused. We are weary of fighting our introversion, and we long to live faithfully as the people we were created to be. Page 31.
And,
This is the chapter I didn’t want to write. In my years of discipleship as an introvert, I have progressed in embracing my identity as a child of God and have cultivated a rich spirituality. I have developed leadership skills that are congruent with my introverted nature, and I have even taken strides in sharing the gospel as myself. But when the conversation turns to Christian community and relationships, I feel as an outsider looking in.
Chris,
Is this one worth the read? I find myself at least intrigued since I view myself as at least half an introvert.
I think it is worth reading. But, I haven’t yet read it thoroughly. I’m also intrigued at this point.
Is it more than just some psychology stuff?
I think so. But, I haven’t read it carefully yet. It’s on my desk at home. I’ve only perused it.
I love perusing.
As an introvert, I found both quotes of your post spot on. I’ve been in extroverted churches and found them completely draining to my soul. Some members viewed my quiet and private demeanor as a project for me to bust out of my shell. It’s painful to join a church and find yourself to be around people who want to change you~ not seeing as created in the image of God.
Through that trial I realized that from my perspective I needed to actively build trust with people, and some Christians need to mature in the faith 🙂
It’s important to find a balance in Christian community to have authentic fellowship and transparency with a select few, to have intimacy with the God who made you, and cultivate and maintain broader relationships in the church in the fruit of the Spirit.