Status
Call number
Collection
Pages
Publication
Description
Christian Nonfiction. Religion & Spirituality. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. Introverts have gifts for the church and the world. But many churches tend to be extroverted places where introverts are marginalized. Some Christians end up feeling like it's not as faithful to be an introvert. Adam McHugh shows how introverts can live and minister in ways consistent with their personalities. He explains how introverts and extroverts process information and approach relationships differently and how introverts can practice Christian spirituality in ways that fit who they are. With practical illustrations from church and parachurch contexts, McHugh offers ways for introverts to serve, lead, worship, and even evangelize effectively. Introverts in the Church is essential reading for any introvert who has ever felt out of place, as well as for church leaders who want to make their churches more welcoming to introverts. This expanded edition has been revised throughout and includes new research on the neuroscience of introversion and material for parenting and encouraging introverted youth. Discover God's call and empowerment to thrive as an introvert, for the sake of the church and kingdom.… (more)
User reviews
I was also frustrated that the chapter that included the most practical advice was the chapter on evangelism which I find buys into this idea that our role in the world is to convert the unbelievers. That was frustrating. There was other advice offered throughout the book but I found none of it to be as straightforward as it was in that chapter.
Overall I would recommend this book simply because it's the only one of it's kind but if you're not affiliated with evangelical churches be prepared to overlook a lot of evangelical language and assumptions.
Though it does focus on the church setting, the lessons can also be applied to life and to other settings.
Adam McHugh explains what an introvert personality is, how it is different from an extrovert personality and how one can use it for the glory of God. He also helped me to understand why church has been so exhausting and joyless for the last 10 years, because most of American Protestant churches are modeled on an extrovert example. It is refreshing and hopeful to read about what an integrated church could be like with both times of reflection and deep study, and times of fellowship and exhortation.
I have found many challenges to my spiritual life within these pages. I am learning to have a reflective time with the Holy Spirit before bed to review my day, rather than my thoughts going round and round in circles. Examining my days for times of reflection and times of action, being sure that both are present, has helped me to be more effective.
One chapter I wish had been included, would be on how to understand and work beside extrovert personalities.
This has been an important read for me, one which I am sure I will refer back to many times and also pass along to others.
But still, I value what McHugh is offering in this book and am glad he wrote it. I like that he emphasizes understanding of introverts without coddling them, points out areas for necessary (even uncomfortable) growth, and attempts to differentiate between introversion, shyness/social anxiety, and unhealthy social behaviors.
Adam McHugh discusses the traits of introversion, generally, and although I know a lot about
A good read for extroverts and introverts alike, and especially useful for church leaders.
The author, a strong introvert, explains through his own research, conversations, and experiences the challenges confronting introverts in
The author writes mostly about and to introverts but is even-handed. He decries the over-emphasis on the extroverted side of Christianity and the under-emphasis on the introverted side of Christianity and also those who would consider introversion a detraction or sinful. His goal is not to advance introverted Christianity to the detriment of extroverted Christianity, however-- his intent is for both to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each other and to work together.
I have tended to consider myself more of an introvert, and yet I often felt more akin to the examples of extroversion mentioned. Nevertheless, I still perceive many introverted tendencies, and this is probably the biggest weakness of the book-- it portrays introversion and extroversion as an either/or affair and has little to say to people who, in various ways, exist in both realms.
Nonetheless, this is a book that everyone who ministers and is active in promoting the Kingdom of God should read. For those who are extroverted and who have, however consciously or unconsciously, advanced an "extroverted Gospel" to the detriment of the introverts around us, it should be rather illuminating and hopefully will lead to greater acceptance and appreciation of introverts in the faith.
"Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture" (Adam S. McHugh)
Adam McHugh describes
Here's his thesis: Although introverts make up slightly over 50% of the population, the American culture and American church culture (particularly in evangelicalism) are strongly biased towards extroversion and extroverted leaders. Introverts can and should participate and lead from their own gifts, not by trying to be who they are not. And because we as leaders and the organizations we lead think positively of extroversion and negatively of introversion, we introverted leaders find ourselves leading inauthentically and ineffectively.
Introversion is a personality preference (or a wiring), and from the Meyers-Biggs typology system we find three primary characteristics of introversion. These characteristics are tendencies and not absolutes, but in my experience they certainly ring true.
1. Introverts are energized by solitude. Time with other people (especially large groups and strangers) drains us of energy. This does not mean that we are antisocial or impersonal, simply that we need solitude to recharge after being with people. Extroverts, by contrast, lose energy in solitude and gain it around other people.
2. Introverts process information internally. We need to filter information and experiences in our inner world. We can get overwhelmed by too much information or input if we haven't kept up on processing. Extroverts tend to process information externally, often by speaking though what they are thinking, trying out ideas as they speak whether they believe what they saying or not.
3. Introverts prefer depth over breadth. We tend to have fewer but more intimate friends than extroverts, who tend to have more, less intimate friends. We tend to have depth in fewer interests. We desire to deeply understand ourselves and our inner lives.
Given these tendencies, consider the average American evangelical church worship gathering. It is large, loud, multimedia focused. Interaction with other attendees is expected and encouraged. The expectation is that members will engage in large group experiences and in smaller group sessions, and will engage in a variety of activities. Leaders are expected to know everyone, at least in passing, but to be able to interact with each individual. Conferences and seminars are long, tightly programmed, busy and offer little time for reflection.
The most valued leadership traits are being energized being around people, being able and willing to lead a wide variety of areas and teams, being quick to speak and think.
We have a disconnect, don't we?
At this point, McHugh could simply complain about the state of the church, and issue a prophetic (demanding) call for change. However, he instead shapes the conversation in a healthy way - positively encouraging change by both introverts and extroverts (not discounting that both tendencies exist, but bringing both streams together as a whole).
Just to summarize the focuses of the remaining chapters, the book looks at spirituality for introverts (heavy emphasis on contemplative); community and relationship for introverts (finding the right fit and giving ourselves permission to opt out of the busyness); introverted leadership (lead by giving away; looking at Jonathan Edwards, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. as introverted leaders); leading as ourselves (give ourselves permission to not be extroverted and to lead from who we truly are); introverted evangelism (relationship wins, small and practical is great); and being an introverted church members (rethink expectations, give people room to process differently).
I've got notes and highlights and comments all throughout this book. It's not that often that I read a book that is so unique and yet so practical, and one that makes me feel like the author gets it (and me). Many times I thought, "Exactly! I'm not crazy after all; I'm not the only introvert who wonders if God called me just to laugh at my struggles."
So here's the bottom line.
- If you're a leader - not just pastor or teacher, but a people-influencer... in the church, or anywhere else
- if you're an introvert (and are worn out trying to be extroverted, even unintentionally)
- If you're an extrovert who just doesn't get why half your church doesn't think and act like you..
... you will be greatly helped and deeply blessed by reading Introverts in the Church.
If you lead a church with a team of staff, read it with them. Do a group discussion. Give introverts on your staff a voice. (Or if you're the introvert, hear from the extroverts).
I don't think it's at all an overstatement to say that this is an extremely important book, which may just save your sanity by reminding you who you truly are, and who your complement truly is also.
I would wish this book upon all the leaders that I know, in addition to Henri Nouwen's In the Name of Jesus, and Jean Vanier's Becoming Human. A Christian church which had wrestled through these books would change the world.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the authorr. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
Unfortunately, by about chapter 5, the author becomes underhanded. Beginning the chapter by claiming that it was the chapter he didn't want to write, and then apparently feeling he has earned the reader's trust, he begins to do the politcal pastor thing and "encourage" introverts to take on more extroverted roles. I will say, however, that he continues to make valid observations in this chapter.
The following chapters on leadership resulted in my groaning, skipping pages, or simply slamming the book down in frustration. The author's ecclesiological bent is obviously still with the church growth movement, and thus his leadership advice is that of a CEO, which I find fundamentally incompatible with the Church. The books closes dry...doesn't even leave an aftertaste.
All-in-all, a decent read. Take the good and leave the bad, as with anything else.