Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture [Paperback]

Adam S. McHugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

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 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. Discover God's call and empowering to thrive as an introvert, for the sake of the church and kingdom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For the longest time, I've considered my wiring as an introvert a thorn in my side. After spending time engaging with others, I felt so empty and overwhelmed . . . and lonely. With my calling as an author and pastor requiring me to publicly speak and consult, I wondered if I misunderstood my place in this world. In Introverts in the Church, Adam brings a voice to those of us who often trade ours in for a little bit of respite. This is not only a needed resource for introverts; all leaders need to read Introverts in the Church for a better understanding of how introverts can lead, how they follow and how they refresh." (Anne Jackson, pastor, blogger and author of Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic )

"As an author and consultant, I have seen firsthand the struggles that introverts face in a society built for extroverts. But I have also seen how powerful introverts can be once they embrace the gifts of a quiet and thoughtful temperament. In this deeply felt and beautifully reasoned guide for introverts in the church, pastor Adam McHugh shows the way for introverted Christians to find peace within themselves and their community." (Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking )

"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 )

"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 )

"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 )

"At last a book for and about introverts in ministry, and a wonderful book it is! McHugh unpacks the challenges and characteristics of the introvert leader in a ministry world designed for extroverts. He offers practical guidance for developing as a leader, evangelizing, joining a community, preaching and becoming spiritually mature in Christ. The book not only helps introverts, but it can serve as a great resource for extroverts who lead, coach, mentor or relate to introverts." (MaryKate Morse, author of Making Room for Leadership, and an introvert )

"This is a book that all leaders in the church should read! It made me realize that I owe an apology to all the introverts whose insights and contributions I have not understood or have overlooked. McHugh's perceptions are crucial for churches in our extremely extroverted society--we are missing some of God's best treasures for Christ's body. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wishes more thoroughly to understand the Holy Spirit's creation of a diversity of personalities and gifts." (Marva J. Dawn, teaching fellow in spiritual theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, and author of My Soul Waits, Keeping the Sabbath Wholly and In the Beginning, GOD )

"What a timely and badly needed book! Introverts in the Church will encourage thousands of Christians who have felt as if they don't quite fit. It will help them find their rightful place in Christian community, so that their gifts might be well used in the work of the kingdom. This book will also help churches to be a place where all people can flourish as disciples of Jesus. Adam McHugh has given us a precious gift through his openness, theological soundness and godly wisdom." (Dr. Mark D. Roberts, senior director and scholar-in-residence, Laity Lodge )

"Adam is addressing a huge number of folks in the church. Read it and heal." (John Ortberg, author, senior pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church )

About the Author

Adam S. McHugh (Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary) is an ordained Presbyterian minister, a spiritual director and an introvert. He has served at two Presbyterian churches, as a hospice chaplain and as campus staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He and his wife live in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830837027
• ISBN-13: 978-0830837021
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Ministry

More About the Author

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. He has been published in The Washington Post, The Christian Century, RELEVANT Magazine, Psychology Today, and Leadership Journal, among other publications. He is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College and Princeton Theological Seminary. On February 28, 2012 he will serve as guest chaplain in the U.S. House of Representatives. He lives in Claremont, CA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars healing, change, growth for churches, November 9, 2009

By 

D. Katagi (Cypress, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture (Paperback)

If you've read all the other books about introverts, you still need to read this book if you are involved in a church. McHugh affirms introverts and helps extroverts understand and minister to them. The book is insightful, eye-opening, informative, practical, relevant, affirming, and challenging.

The book was healing for me personally as an introvert, and valuable for me as a leader of introverts. I received an advanced copy so I could preach two sermons to my highly introverted church. McHugh says "for some churches, spirituality is equated with sociability" and I sensed there might be a little bit of impatience with the introverts.

So using this book as my primary resource, one sermon was on "The Body of Christ" and valuing everyone, including introverts. The other was on "How We Grow" and helping introverts see ways that they could be more involved in church life. I got a lot of positive comments from introverts, and the extroverts married to them. One guy thanked me because he could stop feeling guilty about who he was. A lot of people said they could relate to everything I said and didn't know it was normal.

It's now common to hear people in our church say they understand someone's words or actions better because they understand the introvert-extrovert difference. It helped our leadership to change the conversation from "why don't they do anything?" to "how can we help them participate and grow?" I'm planning to also use the book as a class or study because it has discussion questions for each chapter.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God Loves Introverts too!, November 8, 2009

By 

Patricia Weber "www.coachingforintroverts.com" (Williamsburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture (Paperback)

As an introvert and ebook author (ebooks for introverts) I felt grateful and blessed to receive an advanced copy of Adam McHugh's book. As my mind wrapped around ideas both new and review, I could see God's hand in the creation of and love for the introvert nature touching each page in this thoroughly researched and deep analysis of the introvert personality and gifts. In nine chapters, McHugh shares his thoughtful and sensitive assessment of elevating the introvert to being able to effectively participate at every level in a church, including evangelism. This book is the opportunity for leaders, both spiritual and worldly, to understand the range of talent with which the introvert can serve. McHugh is an ordained Presbyterian minister, a spiritual director and an introvert.

In a detailed and often anecdotal style, he conveys thoughts and feelings, quotations of other ministers that fit the life situations of being more introverted. Imagine being mistakenly and regularly criticized as a recluse or aloof. Then, a clear distinction is made of what is more likely being seen: a true preference of solitude with "permission for solitude from the example of Jesus." That's freedom. Permission changes to a preferred disciplined practice outlined in detail from how to cultivate solitude, how to work in solitude and the rhythms of solitude. Could quietness then be sanctioned? "Privacy is something all introverts require and it has a way of naturally and psychologically restoring our energy levels." Following the contemplation instructions a conclusion: introverts in their own true to self contemplative style know how to listen to their hearts and then with spiritual maturity, can lead others in the spiritual maturity process.

More permission and continued endorsement that the introvert can participate, belong and contribute to a church with a focus on the introvert who wants to be more involved but in a different path than an extrovert. McHugh describes it as a straight line to the core when extroverts want to be more involved. The introvert's journey is more of a spiral with steps into and out of the community to recharge, reflect and readjust their reentry. If the straight line works for the extrovert, then the spiral path works for the introvert.

Most of the book encourages the introvert to use their unique personality and gifts in any area of the church community. Two chapters, The Ability to Lead and Leading as Ourselves, both encourages to fit in and break the mold for the typical extroverted leadership style. Quotes from leadership gurus like Peter Ducker, and authors like Richard Draft and Jim Collins, support a newly emerging leadership mold. Most true to the title of McHugh's book is how God said things to the apostle Paul; " `My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

When McHugh listened to his quiet, inner voice he discovered he had to be the one to open the door for introverts in the church to know their quiet, effective manner is welcome in everything from serving, leading, worshiping and even evangelizing. His first hand experiences; the detailed analysis of the introvert personality and his personal understandings honor and respect introverts everywhere. Introverts and extroverts will find how to elevate their church communities by being more inclusive of a style that God purposefully created to be part of His great commission.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to bring life & build unity in the Church, November 7, 2009

By 

Jamie Arpin-Ricci - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture (Paperback)

More than 10 years ago a good friend and fellow missionary scolded me for being a "recluse", for being "selfish with my time" and "too inside" my head. Faced with this kind of harsh critique from a friend and brother in Christ in the past, I would have been crushed, either forcing myself to be "more social" or retreating deeper into solitude. However, neither happened because at that same time in my life I discovered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) which helped me understand my own temperament. Not only did it affirm those things which were not flaws, but God-created characteristics, it helped me develop those traits in healthy ways. This was most true when it came to understanding what it meant to be an introvert. I have since used this tool to help people in spiritual, missional and community formation with great success. (For the curious, I am an INTJ).

That is why I was so thrilled when I saw the IVP was set to publish "Introverts In The Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture" by Adam S. McHugh. I received an advanced copy a weeks days ago and have already consumed. This book is one of the most critically needed works for the Church in our culture. McHugh manages to confront the extroverted bias in church culture without denigrating extroverts while encouraging introverts without letting them off the hook of their own responsibilities. Incredibly practical, deeply pastoral and a significant key for becoming truly missional people, this book is a prophetic message of hopeful correction and direction.