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33rd out of 63 books
—
12 voters
Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture
by
Adam S. McHugh (Goodreads Author)
Introverts are called and gifted by God. 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...more
Paperback, 222 pages
Published
October 27th 2009
by IVP Books
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This book is a BLESSING! As I was reading it, I almost felt like it was written just for me! For YEARS I have been struggling with the community aspect of Christianity. I am much, much more at peace reading, reflecting, and discussing spirituality and theology with a few select people. The thought of walking up to a complete stranger and asking, "How did you come to know Jesus?" turns my stomach. I have felt so inadequate. I have felt frustrated and just plain fed up with the social obligations...more
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It seems like many in the Church have a specific idea of what a Christian should look like, and it isn't introverted. According to their ideas all "good Christians" should be social butterflies who get involved in all sorts of serving, evangelism, and fellowship activities. Ok, maybe they don't think that exactly, but they certainly seem to focus on those traits from the pulpit. Not to mention most activities are catered to those types of people. If you try to spend some time alone, don't talk t...more
This was a well-written, thought-provoking book, and I greatly enjoyed it. Introverts were not overly victimized, and the book was written from a balanced point of view, but what I really appreciated was the Christian worldview from which it was written.
It is called "Introverts in the Church", so that should hardly be surprising, but I found meaningful not only the chapters specific to church-life, but also the chapters explaining about introversion. None of it was new to me, but it was refreshi...more
It is called "Introverts in the Church", so that should hardly be surprising, but I found meaningful not only the chapters specific to church-life, but also the chapters explaining about introversion. None of it was new to me, but it was refreshi...more
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The introduction begins with the question, "Can introverts thrive in the church?"
Why would he ask such a thing? The same reason I've found myself asking it. Our Evangelical Church culture is easily described as extroverted in nature. For someone who isn't naturally outgoing, fitting in can be awkward to say the least. Our culture tells us that extroverted is the way to be. It's an attribute shared by great leaders and successful people alike. Lacking in this area is a sure sign of diminished pot...more
I discovered this book seemingly at random about a week ago. I say seemingly because I absolutely see God's hand in guiding me to it. This was exactly what I needed to read, exactly when I needed to read it. I'm an introvert. In fact, I'm about as introverted as you can possibly get. I also happen to be a pastor at an evangelical church. I love being in ministry and I love my introverted side but there are definitely times where the two seem like a less than ideal mix.
In the first couple chapte...more
In the first couple chapte...more
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Excellent book! It is insightful, eye-opening, informative, practical, relevant, affirming, and challenging. It is also biblically solid and very readable. Introverts are called and gifted by God. But many churches tend to be extroverted places where introverts are not understood and are under-valued or marginalized. Some Christians end up feeling like it's not as faithful to be an introvert. McHugh manages to confront the extroverted bias in church culture without denigrating extroverts while e...more
This book is definitely worth reading for Christians who feel like they don't always fit in with the often loud, 'extroverted' nature of our Western, evangelical churches. For me it raises a lot of very important questions and challenges as a young, 'introverted' Christian in leadership, and has given me some ideas about how to work better with others of any personality type in my church. It doesn't have the answers there for you, obviously they have to be found in your own contexts. It has some...more
An insightful book, authored by a pastor who is an introvert himself, where Introverts in the Church really shines is in communicating just what an introvert is. Introverts will gain a deeper understanding into why some things that come so easily to others escape them. Extroverts will gain a window into just how much is going on inside those quiet, contemplative people only a few get to really know.
It's easy to see the author has found his strength in his leadership role. The chapters exploring...more
It's easy to see the author has found his strength in his leadership role. The chapters exploring...more
The author lays out some very positive points, especially in the first four chapters. Having come from the background that I have, I appreciate his very valid assertion that Western culture values extroversion as a holy standard, and thus so does the Western church. Many of the ways in which he describes this standard failing introverted personalities are accurate, and I found myself resonating with his words due to very recent experiences.
Unfortunately, by about chapter 5, the author becomes u...more
Unfortunately, by about chapter 5, the author becomes u...more
Overall, this book was a bit of a disappointment for me. I think if I were an introverted pastor, then it would have been much more applicable. After reading Susan Cain's "Quiet", I was disappointed especially by McHugh's definition of what an introvert is and how they process things - even he admits that there are many kinds of introverts and his book is most applicable to those like him.
The last two chapters were really the best for me, and more of what I was hoping the whole book would be lik...more
The last two chapters were really the best for me, and more of what I was hoping the whole book would be lik...more
I really liked this book and could relate to much of what the author said. He talked about how there is pressure within the church to be more extroverted especially in the area of evangelism. However it can be quite damaging to compare introverts to extroverts causing the introverts to pretend to be more extroverted to gain acceptance. Introverts shouldn't feel like God can use them in spite of their introversion but that God can and will use them because of it. He stresses the problem of the ch...more
Every Evangelical should read this book. If you're an extrovert, it will help you understand, befriend, and minister to introverts. If you're an introvert and struggling, it will help you come to grips with your God-given personality and how you can embrace it and thrive in it. If you're an introvert but aren't struggling, you will nonetheless be surprised how many extroverted assumptions you're operating under, keeping you from maximum happiness and effectiveness.
McHugh presents evidence that t...more
McHugh presents evidence that t...more
This particular section of the book really helps describe me:
"The journey of introverts into a community, however, is better conceptualized as a spiral. They take steps into a community, but then spiral out of it in order to regain energy, to reflect on their experiences and to determine if they are comfortable in that community. They move between entry, retreat and reentry, gradually moving deeper into the community on each loop.
"The introverted path into community, much to the confusion of man...more
"The journey of introverts into a community, however, is better conceptualized as a spiral. They take steps into a community, but then spiral out of it in order to regain energy, to reflect on their experiences and to determine if they are comfortable in that community. They move between entry, retreat and reentry, gradually moving deeper into the community on each loop.
"The introverted path into community, much to the confusion of man...more
The following book review, I think will be helpful to those who are in the church, and specifically to those in the church that have felt like they just don’t fit.
I have been heavily involved in ministry for a few years now, and it is undoubtedly a rewarding enjoyable job, but the fact of the matter is- it’s hard. At times the lifestyle seems to be a whirlwind of frenzied meetings, counseling, and emotionally-charged-busyness. And it was in the midst of feeling like this that I ‘Stumbled Upon’ a...more
I have been heavily involved in ministry for a few years now, and it is undoubtedly a rewarding enjoyable job, but the fact of the matter is- it’s hard. At times the lifestyle seems to be a whirlwind of frenzied meetings, counseling, and emotionally-charged-busyness. And it was in the midst of feeling like this that I ‘Stumbled Upon’ a...more
I have long struggled with the idea that introversion is a crippling disease, especially in the life of one deeply involved in ministry. This book has helped me to radically change my perspectives on myself and how introversion affects my life in ways that are positive. He gave lots of practical examples and suggestions and provided a very good balance between showing how introversion can be properly embraced and encouraging necessary outward spiritual elements like community and evangelism. It...more
This was probably the single most important book I've read in my 14 years of ministry. I can't tell you how many times I put the book down and thought 'Wow, I'm not the only one who acts/feels/thinks like that!' There were sections that helped me understand the way God created me... and other sections that helped me understand how I can best utilize the gifts God has given to me. There is still a major bias towards extroverted leadership in the church... and I've had people in each of my churche...more
Reading “Introverts in the Church” was very enlightening to me. Even though I could not relate to a lot of the struggles and needs that the author shared, it did help me to see how marginalizing it must feel to be introverted in both a culture and Church where extroversion is often preferred. I like how one person reviewed the book when they said, “Read it and heal”, because oftentimes in the church, extroversion is heralded as faithfulness and godliness. Whether we choose to recognize it or not...more
So Very good! It explained and put words to experiences and feelings that have been apart of who I am, and yet lacked understanding of. My introversion became pretty clear when I checked off fourteen of the sixteen common attributes of introverts. What is becoming clearer to me is, I no longer need to pray for the Lord to change me into an extrovert. It is the way God created me and there is a sense of peace in knowing that. However, there are aspects of my introversion that I believe God challe...more
“Introverts in the Church” is brilliant and I feel very blessed and refreshed after reading it. This is a well put together, well researched and well written book.
As an introvert, I felt identified with and defended, but not coddled. McHugh was also very encouraging in practical ways regarding day-to-day spirituality as well as evangelism, an area of dread and even guilt for many introverts.
The book is quite packed, which is understandable – “church” encompasses many topics and areas. I did not...more
As an introvert, I felt identified with and defended, but not coddled. McHugh was also very encouraging in practical ways regarding day-to-day spirituality as well as evangelism, an area of dread and even guilt for many introverts.
The book is quite packed, which is understandable – “church” encompasses many topics and areas. I did not...more
I was greatly disappointed with this book. I expected it to give me hope in finding my place at a church, but left me still feeling lost as to how I belong at all in a church. I think the idea of such a book is great though, but didn't feel this helped me in any way. Also as an aside one pet peeve through this whole book was how much the author mentions needing naps/extra sleep. As an introvert I do feel drained by being around people, but have never napped, not even as a young child, & actu...more
I came across this book while reading Quiet by Susan Cain, and am very glad I acquired a copy. As an introvert - which term I apply to myself rather than anyone else applying it to me - I've often struggled with expectations in various settings, including the Church.
Although written from the perspective of American Protestant Evangelicalism, McHugh's book provides a range of insights into how introverted people can find not only a place in the Church, but play a significant and leading role in t...more
Although written from the perspective of American Protestant Evangelicalism, McHugh's book provides a range of insights into how introverted people can find not only a place in the Church, but play a significant and leading role in t...more
As a student of the Myers-Briggs typology, this didn't have much new information for me, but it did reaffirm to me that introverts have an important place in church life. In particular, I found chapter 4, "Introverted Spirituality" interesting and good. McHugh devoted more research than I expected to the book, and it deserves its place as a serious read.
Some have complained that McHugh devotes too much attention to church leadership. He does devote about a quarter of the book to that. I thought...more
Some have complained that McHugh devotes too much attention to church leadership. He does devote about a quarter of the book to that. I thought...more
As a definite introvert, church (at least my current church) can sometimes feel like a decidedly uncomfortable place. The going trend in churches is small groups, where we're all supposed to emote with a group of people we've previously not even met. I picked up Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture with interest. Some tidbits that resonated:
In the typical evangelical church of 2013, introverts are often viewed as antisocial, and, therefore, lacking in faith. The...more
In the typical evangelical church of 2013, introverts are often viewed as antisocial, and, therefore, lacking in faith. The...more
Personality-typing has interested me for a long time, but only recently have I discovered a few good books about introversion in particular (as opposed to enneagram or MBTI books, which get old after a while). Susan Cain's book, Quiet, was excellent and led me to this one. Adam McHugh was interviewed for Cain's book for a section that she wrote about the bias towards extroversion in evangelical culture. I was excited to hear that McHugh had just written a book focusing specifically on introversi...more
I really enjoyed reading this book. So many descriptions of the introvert personality traits were eye-openers for me. On page 44, the description of physiological brain differences between introverts and extroverts was astounding and validating. Having sometimes felt inferior because of a lot of these differences, it is a comfort to know that my 'slowness' in social situations is sometimes simply characteristic of the way my brain is wired. It also helps me be more tolerant of extrovert type of...more
Introverts in the Church raises a great problem in today's society: it seems the church is to be extroverted and introverts should change. Obviously, that's not true but it is easier (it seems) for extroverts to fit in. My biggest complaint about Introverts in the Church is that sometimes Adam tried to draw the world in black and white: introvert vs. extrovert. He'd acknowledge that they are different spectrums of both but I often felt he wrote from an "us vs. them" point of view. Since I'm some...more
very encouraging book to read. notes all the other Amandas who have read this book coincidence? anyway, the stories were inspiring that this can be a profession for me. before I went to seminary I thought my personality was incompatible with being a pastor. brings back a lot of hope as I struggle through being called into ministry. I do think that this book only helps introverts so much. what I like about it is his lighthearted strength and belief in introverts being able to do this with humblen...more
I read this book after I read Quiet (another book about introverts I highly recommend). I was a bit disappointed in the writing style of this author. I did identify with his discussion of introverts disliking the worship welcome time. It makes them nervous and uncomfortable. The chapter on evangelism for the introvert was interesting. Introverts prefer a more relational kind of witness as opposed to the "selling" that is common in evangelical circles. I disagreed with him about evangelical churc...more
Sure, it's not a perfect book. But the reviews that say the author is just trying to tell introverts to act like extroverts... are reviewing the wrong book, or something.
One of the first positive things I could say about this book is that it references Scripture & many other well-researched sources. This guy did his homework, & it shows-- I felt confident as I read it that I could find his points backed up by respectable figures throughout history. How cool is that? Plus it gives my to-r...more
One of the first positive things I could say about this book is that it references Scripture & many other well-researched sources. This guy did his homework, & it shows-- I felt confident as I read it that I could find his points backed up by respectable figures throughout history. How cool is that? Plus it gives my to-r...more
Do the gospels portray Jesus as an introvert or an extrovert? Most people would say "extrovert". So for those of us who are introverts, where does that leave us in the church?
This book has been very affirming for me to understand how I fit in. I often don't have the energy at the end of day to interact with a small group. I process by thinking, not talking. And coffee hour and pot lucks are a drain. BUT, I am still part of the church and God calls me to love and serve. It's freeing to know that...more
This book has been very affirming for me to understand how I fit in. I often don't have the energy at the end of day to interact with a small group. I process by thinking, not talking. And coffee hour and pot lucks are a drain. BUT, I am still part of the church and God calls me to love and serve. It's freeing to know that...more
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Adam S. McHugh is the author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister, spiritual director, chaplain, speaker, and retreat leader. Adam has served at Presbyterian churches, as a hospice chaplain, and as campus staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He is a Patheos.com expert and has been published in The Christian Centu...more
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“Introverts treasure the close relationships they have stretched so much to make.”
—
60 people liked it
“When introverts go to church, we crave sanctuary in every sense of the word, as we flee from the disorienting distractions of twenty-first-century life. We desire to escape from superficial relationships, trivial communications and the constant noise that pervade our world, and find rest in the probing depths of God's love.”
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28 people liked it
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