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| Feeling out-of-place in church? |
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As a fellow introvert, I can understand the struggles of those trying to deal with a society that highly favors an extroverted mindset. Doubly challenging for the introverted Christ-follower, who's often told how to function in the church in a way that may go against their natural "programming"; they can be pressured to involve themselves in mission trips, tons of socializing, public speaking, large crowds, keeping up with many relationships, face-to-face sharing of the gospel, working directly with other people...
And yet, the way churches often function in today's world makes it seem like introverts are less important or not as useful. Such treatment can even cause them to experience false guilt or feel out-of-place in the church, unable to live up to such social standards.
Can a person be both an introvert and serve Christ to the fullest?
And yet, the way churches often function in today's world makes it seem like introverts are less important or not as useful. Such treatment can even cause them to experience false guilt or feel out-of-place in the church, unable to live up to such social standards.
Can a person be both an introvert and serve Christ to the fullest?
Being an introvert or extrovert is primarily about what energizes or recharges you, like an internal social battery. While extroverts become energized in social settings, introverts recharge with alone time. While not all introverts are necessarily shy or hate socializing, long periods of time in social settings, especially around lots of people, can overtime drain the introvert's energy.
However, as the deep thinkers they're often known to be, introverts can be creative, calculated, detail-oriented, good listeners, and good at approaching ideas and situations. Think about how helpful this can be in regards to understanding scripture, analyzing philosophies, problem-solving, and connecting on a deeper level, especially able to listen and consider the needs of others, and relate with those who struggle with certain issues. And, contrary to popular belief, introverts can even be good leaders.
God created us all, each with our own unique gifts, personalities, and approaches to certain things in life. Regardless of whatever label, not all Christ-followers serve others in the same way. Not all aspects of service have to involve heavy socializing, working directly, or having the exact same skillset. No matter who you are or what you consider yourself to be, you are an important and valuable part of the body of Christ. No one kind of service is considered greater than the other.
1 Corinthians 12 spells it out for us accurately:
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Cor. 12:4-6 ESV)
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:12-13 ESV)
"For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body." (1 Cor. 12:14-20 ESV)
"The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor... (...)
...But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." (1 Cor. 12:21-26 ESV)
Let no one guilt you for not participating in the same kinds of services or for not serving in the same way as others. Yes, you do make a difference just like anyone else no matter your label. Think about what talents or gifts you may have, and find your own creative way to love others.
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Curious Questions to Consider:
Are you or someone you know considered to be introverted?
What issues do you feel that introverts may have to deal with in the typical modern church setting?
Have you ever felt out-of-place in church?
If you consider yourself an extrovert, how can you show love and respect to introverts and help them not feel out-of-place in the church?
What can you do for anyone who may feel out-of-place or struggle with considering themselves useful?
In what creative ways can you love and serve others?
Are you or someone you know considered to be introverted?
What issues do you feel that introverts may have to deal with in the typical modern church setting?
Have you ever felt out-of-place in church?
If you consider yourself an extrovert, how can you show love and respect to introverts and help them not feel out-of-place in the church?
What can you do for anyone who may feel out-of-place or struggle with considering themselves useful?
In what creative ways can you love and serve others?
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Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding introversion or extroversion. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding introversion or extroversion. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
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Author's Notes:
Cover image courtesy of Inga Seliverstova.
(Written on January 19, 2020.)
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i believe you can be an introvert and contribute in several ways. the church needs writers, analyst, researchers, etc. those individuals do not necessarily have to get in front of the congregation and speak but, they do provide necessary and beneficial services to everyone in the congregation. sometimes, it is the introverts [not all the time], that spend more time in those areas. everyone, in my opinion, has gifts to offer and it is the combination of those gifts that make the church, as a whole, more effective.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the church is a building; I think more people need to be spending time alone with Jesus instead of vexing themselves in churches where they feel uncomfortable. Because maybe if you're feeling uncomfortable (as an introvert) somewhere and finding it hard to fit in, especially somewhere that is supposed to be "uplifting," maybe its time to move on. We are not called to be in a building and in service for people to lord over us, my friend. We are called to be separated unto Him and do His will. We are supposed to answer to Jesus--he's the organizer. And we are supposed to get our positions as teachers, etc. from Him, as well-- not from a personality test or a Nicolaitan. Christ's church gathered is simply where two or more of us followers are together; you don't need that building to learn what you should be doing, and you don't need that building to be DOING what you should be doing either.
ReplyDeleteSo that's my take..as an ambivert. :)
Totally an unpopular opinion, but didn't Jesus have unpopular things to say? God bless you, my friend.
It's always bothered me when a preacher is stomping around beating his chest praising God while at the same time chastising anybody in the congregation for not "being able" or unwilling to praise and worship God the way he is. Different people worship God differently. There are many ways to praise and worship God, our lifestyle being the most important. Also, it's been my experience that the louder and more boastiourest a person is in their delivery of their message, the less Spirit there is present. I don't think Jesus went about preaching the Gospel by yelling and "beating His chest" like someone prancing around on a stage. Church has turned into a performance and entertainment hour for too many people who come to get pumped with watered down fun Gospel stories instead of hearing and growing with the true Gospel. No matter what kind of personality someone has the truth is we (our bodies) are the true temple of Jesus Christ. Be true to yourself and true to your worship. Be blessed.
ReplyDelete