Here's an introvert wrestling with how he can engage in mission and evangelism: Introverts and the Mission of God

I agree with the post that building relationships with strangers is probably the most daunting part of evangelism, but I wonder if perhaps that is the wrong strategy for us. One suggestion I give in the chapter on introverted evangelism in Introverts in the Church is to first look for the people who are ALREADY in your life and to ask how God is currently working in their lives and how you can come alongside your friend in his or her spiritual journey.

Here's a post that speculates that President Obama might just be an introvert. What do you think?

My manuscript is winging its way back to Chicago, with my full seal of approval. Now several editors will do final edits, proofread it multiple times, and then send it to the printers late next month!!! It's gonna be a book, introverts.

I've wondered for a while what the personality demographics are of people on twitter. I personally don't have a twitter account and already find my life permeated with chattiness and technology to find much appeal in it. I know lots of people that I respect and admire love it, but it's just not for me at this point. Even though, as an introvert, I am more inclined towards written conversation than I am spoken conversation, I find that even the online conversations strip my social energy after a while. (side note: though I of course welcome and encourage all of you to tweet about my book! :)

Here's an unscientific, but very interesting survey of the MBTI personality temperaments of people on twitter.

A quick preview: introverts far exceed extroverts in twittering, and the most common profile is INFP.

Ever since I set a Google alert for "Christian introverts" I'm discovering just how many people are posting about the topic of introverts in the church. I find these conversations very exciting and hopeful. I am noticing, unfortunately, that most of the people blogging about introversion and Christianity are reporting negative experiences. I really hope that some day soon people will start having POSITIVE experiences in church as introverts! I want us to discover the gifts that we have to bring others, and for others to welcome us, and our gifts, with open arms. That's why I wrote the book.

Here's a great post from a woman living in Russia: Introverts in Church

My favorite section is her comments on the horrors of "ice breaker" games.

"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. 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 extraverts. 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" (Crown Publishing, 2011).

I received my typeset manuscript back today, which means I have one last crack at making minor revisions to my book. I was thinking today that it's been 4 1/2 years since I came up with this idea, in a moment of listening prayer during Christmas '04. The paradox in my mind is that it seems like a ridiculously long time since I began this project, but I still can't believe that I've reached this point. They will be printing my book late next month. Stunning.

I've got a couple of weeks to fix any glaring errors, to add a few brief ideas, and to convince my editors to make the changes I want.

Pray for me!

Here's another great post about the significance of discovering who you are in Christ, from the perspective of an introvert.

I don't really know why, but I find this fascinating. This is an editorial from the Boca Raton News (it's somewhere in Florida) from 1994, talking about the struggles of introverts in churches.

What's still amazing to me is that no one has ever written a book about this topic, until well, October 2009.

Michelle George has written a series of posts about introverts, relationships and the Church. They're very well written and make up a nice introduction to the topic. Plus, she's from Australia, which is cool. The posts are:

1. Do you know an introvert?
2. Introvert...extrovert...shy?
3. Can introverts and extroverts coexist?
4. What can God do with an introvert?
5. Churches and introverts.

This post will take you to the introduction of the series and Michelle's personal narrative.

I've received several questions about pre-ordering Introverts in the Church. According to the marketing folks at InterVarsity Press, my book will likely be available for pre-order on Amazon sometime in August. Amazon pre-orders are important, because many other book sellers and distributors use Amazon as a bellwether for how the book will do. If the book has a high number of pre-orders, then other bookstores and online retailers will place higher initial orders, and your average introverted Christian will be more likely to find the book at Barnes and Noble or their local Christian bookstore.

I'll let you know when Introverts in the Church is on Amazon - you'll get updates most directly and quickly on the Facebook page.

I'm laughing that someone googled "introverted sucks" to get to my blog yesterday.

Hmm, I didn't expect this one. What do you think?

"Before I learned that I was an introvert, I thought I was at least shy and possibly antisocial. At other people’s parties, I stayed in the kitchen with the help. At my own parties, I was the help. When the story of Martha and Mary came up in church, no one had to tell me why Martha stayed in the kitchen while her sister Mary sat at Jesus’s feet. Martha was an introvert. She found chopping potatoes far less exhausting than talking to people, and besides, she could hear everything they were saying right where she was without having to come up with something to say herself."

Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World

We're nearing the end of the endorsements phase of the process, with one or two more on the way. I love the writing style in Don's endorsement:

“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 arm-chair 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 at Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in Chesterfield, MO, and author of several books including I Once Was Lost: what postmodern skeptics taught us about their path to Jesus.