Skip to main content

Introverts In The Church: Recommended Reading

I recommend church leaders read this book.   McHugh offers numerous practical insights on how introverts can leverage their personality type to lead effectively.   

He discusses the importance of paying attention to natural rhythms and managing energy, offering practical strategies and advice in Chapter 7.     

He doesn't let introversion be an excuse for withdrawing from relationships or from loving people.   The role of community is described as 'healing' for the introvert, and he talks about two critical movements for the introverted leader:
      1.   Inward movement of accepting and working with the way we are wired
      2.   Outward movement towards community

This book challenged my assumptions about the relationship between personality and leadership.  It helped me discover some of my strengths and how I can leverage them in my leadership role.  It also gave me some insight into some of my struggles as a leader and what kinds of people I need to be in community with to lead well.
 
McHugh offers numerous practical tips on engaging in relationships and fostering community in Chapter 5.   And in the last chapter has some good considerations for engaging introverts more in church gatherings.

This would be an excellent book for a group of pastors or your elders' team to read and discuss.  Chances are, there are introverts on your team who could benefit, and there are quite likely untapped leadership resources in your church.  

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

READY: What Jesus says about being his family at the end of the age.

We need to think carefully and take a closer look at what Jesus says about living 'ready' for his return as his family at the end of the age.   This resource was written to help steer people toward the heart of Christ's instruction and away from fear-driven and often divisive speculation about living in the end times. In these days of rapid change and uncertainty, this short book will help reveal Christ's heart toward us and instill hope-driven strategies to live ready for his return. Whether you're a believer seeking answers or simply curious about New Testament perspectives that relate to today's chaotic world, this brief guide is designed to inspire thought-provoking discussions about implementing Jesus' teachings for living as His family in our world, until He returns. For those leading a ministry, participating in a small group, or simply seeking clarity in a confusing world, this simple study will challenge and inspire you to embrace Christ's calli...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unexpected Joy

  A couple of weeks ago, I witnessed a scene in the mall that has stayed with me. After grabbing a hot coffee and finding a seat in the food court, I opened my laptop to catch up on some emails. Suddenly, I heard an excited lady exclaim in a loud voice, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Pastor!" I looked up to see a middle-aged woman completely overjoyed as a young pastor unloaded a small grocery cart filled with potatoes, tomatoes, bread, and fresh fruit into her arms. "Thank you! You remembered me," she said. After handing over the groceries, he offered a short prayer, gave her a big hug, and then continued on his way. It was an overcast Monday morning when I had not seen a single smile, only many tired and weary commuters with heads down and shoulders hunched. That scene felt like a bright light piercing through the darkness, and her joy was contagious. A few moments later, a young mom and her child took a seat at the table in front of her. The two connected with...
Post a Comment
Read more

Are We Still In Step With The Gospel?

Many Christians today read Galatians as if it were primarily about personal salvation:  salvation is by faith, not by works. That is certainly part of Paul’s message.  But it is not the whole story. Paul’s deeper concern in Galatians is whether churches themselves are aligned with the true gospel and living in step with it as a community . The issue is not just how individuals are saved. It is whether churches are  walking the straight line of the gospel . Paul states the problem bluntly at the beginning of the letter: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” (Galatians 1:6–7) Throughout the letter, he returns to this concern, especially in Galatians 2:14, 5:2–12, and 6:12–16 . Something had shifted in the Galatian churches. The gospel had begun to be subtly redefined. “Not in Step With the Truth of the Gospel” One of the most revealing moments comes when Paul confr...
Post a Comment
Read more