Sean Michael Lucas reviews an interesting new book called Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture
In brief compass, McHugh surveys a great deal of the literature on introversion and helpful summaries a great deal about introverted personality types and how they engage in an extroverted culture. As I read this book, I kept telling my wife, “Wow, you should read this–you’d finally understand me!” It was a helpful, fast-paced, narrative of the characteristics of introversion.
McHugh also helpful distinguishes introversion (a personalty type) from shyness or social anxiety. Introverts tend to go through a cycle of engagement and retreat; we move toward people in relationship, but then back away to recharge in order to reengage again. Social anxiety or shyness retreats out of fear and intimidation and moves toward becoming a “loner” in which he or she refuses to engage the other. While introverts have the temptation of becoming loners, they must force themselves to “stretch” out toward others–God made us to be in relationship and so we must engage others even when we would prefer not to do so.
Some endorsements:
“As a fellow introvert, I well know the tension, irony and even contradiction of being in vocational ministry where public speaking and being with people are major and vital parts of our roles. This book puts together extremely helpful thinking to better understand who we are and how to navigate and celebrate being introverted and in leadership in an extroverted world.”
–Dan Kimball, author of They Like Jesus but Not the Church
“As an introvert who has experienced both the strengths and weaknesses of my temperament, I appreciate the way McHugh goes well beyond the facile stereotypes and conclusions of armchair psychologists. If you’ve ever felt vaguely sinful for not being a gregarious Christian I suggest you spend some quality time alone with a copy of Introverts in the Church.”
–Don Everts, minister of outreach, Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, Chesterfield, Missouri, and author of I Once Was Lost
“Introverts, take heart! As an introvert myself–an off-the-chart ‘I’ on the Myers-Briggs–I find certain aspects of church life, like speaking to other human beings every Sunday, really taxing. McHugh thoughtfully explores the gifts introverts bring to the church, and he considers both how introverts can live well in the church and how churches can be more hospitable to us.”
–Lauren F. Winner, Duke Divinity School, author of Girl Meets God