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I have never been a fan of personality tests. Every time I take one, I feel like I am being forced to decide between false choices.

For example:

“Which sounds more appealing to you? Reading a book at home alone or attending a party with lots of people?”

I could spend a long time debating that one. Sometimes, I need a break from people and find refuge in solitude with a good book. Other times, I crave being with other people in social settings. Does that make me an introvert, an extrovert, or someone with tendencies that vascillate?

Adam McHugh’s new book Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture (IVP, 2009) goes beyond superficial personality tests to address a real problem in evangelical churches today. McHugh makes the case that most churches are led by and geared toward extroverted personalities. Evangelicals tend to measure progress in discipleship by participation in essentially extrovert-focused activities. Even the wider society rewards extroverted traits, which leaves people with more introverted personalities feeling left out.

Introverts in the Church is helpful on a number of levels. Extroverted church leaders will learn about people in their congregations – people they have never quite understood before. They will come to realize that a person’s reticence to participate in every church activity or ministry might not be rooted in apathy. Likewise, a person’s silence in a meeting or gathering does not always signify disapproval.

People with introverted qualities learn how to navigate their way through the evangelical churches that may (unintentionally) exclude them or neglect their gifts. And McHugh believes that introverts do have gifts to offer the kingdom. By pointing to introverts in the Bible and throughout church history, he demonstrates the unique gifts of people with introverted personalities.

So Introverts in the Church is part therapy for those who are introverted – many will say, “Finally, a book that understands me!” – and it is part prescription. The book is an eye-opener for pastors who have never considered this subject. McHugh shows introverts how they can learn from extroverts, and then encourages the church to open its eyes to the gifts of their quieter members.

Introverted pastors can and should lead as introverts, McHugh says. They do not have to go through a transformation of personality. However, he rightly admits that pastoral leadership is essentially a people business, so an introvert must be willing to stretch the borders of his personality. Just as extroverted pastors should seek to be sensitive to introverted members, introverted leaders must work on ministry to extroverted people.

In one of the best prescriptions in the book, McHugh encourages introverted pastors to lead the way in putting to rest evangelicalism’s love affair with the idea of having a “celebrity pastor”. McHugh writes:

“Though the cult of personality woos, personal attention is what truly impacts.” (157)

That’s a good word, and it goes against the flow of many evangelical churches today.

Though I believe McHugh’s critique of evangelical extroversion is generally correct, I am not convinced that introverts are always or even usually the “targets of misguided arrows.” What bothers me a little about his book is that even though he makes a case for the accepting the unique gifts of introverts, he seems to write as if introverts suffer from an inferiority complex.

Also puzzling to me as a reader was trying to figure out where I am on the scale of introversion and extroversion. Perhaps he could have included a substantive personality test that would help readers figure out where they land.

In his chapter on evangelism, McHugh helpfully lays out ways in which introverts can be evangelistic. But I question a few of the places he puts his emphasis. At times, it appears that he equates spiritual conversations with sharing the gospel. Although spiritual conversations are needed (and most people do need more than a quick gospel presentation), such conversations should not be considered “evangelism” unless Christ crucified and raised is presented clearly.

Minor quibbles aside… this is an important book. I told a few introverted church members that I was reading this book. Each one of them seemed thrilled at at the thought of a book like this. I am convinced that this book is needed. McHugh blazes a trail through an area that very few have dared to go, and introverts and extroverts alike are the beneficiaries of his work.

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