Switching to wordpress

For anyone interested, I'm switching to wordpress, because it's cool...

No really, wordpress is much prettier, so I thought I would try it out. The blog is the exact same name: Everybody's Fond of Owls

Book Review: Introverts in the Church

I just read a really great book that I think anyone in a Christian community should read. I'm an INTP on the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator, which means I love thinking about things and making connections between different areas of my life. I quite often look at my world through the lense of the Myers-Briggs test. Through my involvement in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at ASU for four years, as well as my small group experiences at Redemption Church, I've noticed that most people don't understand how much being an introvert or an extrovert affects your experience in any Christian community. This was one issue that was never dealt with in my community, even though many of the introverts consistently struggled with finding a place in that community where they both fit well and were capable of investing throughout an entire school year without burning out.

Introverts in the Church: finding our place in an extroverted culture by Adam S. McHugh talks about this issue in the church today, and offers much practical advice in the areas of Christian community, spirituality, leadership and evangelism for introverts living in an extroverted culture. Introverts in the Church starts by first identifying the problem (that there is a serious disconnect between the extroverted church culture in the United States and the 50% of the church body that is introverted) then discussing many different ways introverts can invest themselves by using their personality rather than trying to become extroverts. The book also delves into the gifts that introverts can offer within the community and on leadership, gifts that complement extroverted strengths!

My favorite thing about this book was how the author encourages introverts to blossom in their own gifts, but never gives introverts permission to withdraw from community or isolate themselves completely. While McHugh does point out that parts of the extroverted expectations of the American church are not actually required by the bible (which means that introverts don't need to do everything!) the fact is that we are required as Christians to invest in people, both in Christian community and in reaching those outside our faith. Introverts in the Church gives many ideas on how to be an active part of the church without simply acting extroverted, while still following the commandments the Bible gives for all Christians

I would recommend this book to anyone investing in a Christian community or leading one (which should be all Christians!). Introverts will find the book helpful in suggesting new ways to live out their faith, while extroverts may find a better understanding of the introverts in their community, and news ways to encourage them to be themselves within the community. Leaders may find practical ways to encourage their introverted disciples in self-understanding, community involvement, and eventually, leadership. I think that Introverts in the Church could be a book that starts to change Christian communities for the better!


*If you're interested in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I would suggest the wikipedia article for understanding the concepts quickly and the Myers-Briggs website for a quick assessment of your own personality and what that means for you.

*If you like the book, check out McHugh's blog Introverted Church!