I'm Adam McHugh and I am the the author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture. Professionally speaking, I am an ordained Presbyterian minister, spiritual director, chaplain, speaker, and retreat leader. Personally speaking, I am a lot more. At least I try to be.
I have done a lot of ministry, though, including stints at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, CA, and Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, CA. I was also on the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the Claremont Colleges for 3 years, and I am currently a hospice chaplain with Vitas Hospice in Covina, CA. I work late-nights in order to support my profitless dream, which is writing.
What gets me up in the morning are the thoughts that I need to write down. I am working on a new book with InterVarsity Press that I'm trying to persuade them to call "The Listening Life." I also have a third book contract with Patheos Press that I'm keeping under wraps for the time being. I'm slowly growing my CV, and I have been published in The Christian Century, The Washington Post, Leadership Journal, RELEVANT Magazine, Psychology Today, Conversations Journal, among other publications and websites. Rumor has it I'm the only one to ever write a guest post for Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience. I've been quoted in the New York Times, USA Today, Psychology Today, and the Huffington Post. I even served as a guest chaplain in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 28th, 2012. One time there was a really heavy door, and I opened it. On one pull.
I grew up in Seattle and very much miss the rain, but now I live in Claremont, California, which I love too, especially when there is snow on the mountains. I have degrees from Claremont McKenna College and Princeton Seminary. I also received my spiritual direction certification through the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. And, just to throw you off, I am currently studying to become a certified wine sommelier. No, seriously.
When I'm not writing or working graveyard chaplain shifts, I watch a lot of Seattle sports, play a fair amount of golf, cook spicy foods, take long introspective walks, and drink some good wines. I'm still trying to discover what makes for the "good life," but I have a suspicion it involves following Jesus to the bitter end.
Thanks so much! I just now stumbled upon your blog. To learn that there is hope for introverts in the extrovert-oriented church today is a refreshing idea, well worth investigating. Thanks again (from an introverted worship musician in Delaware).
ReplyDeleteAfter a painful night at a ministry event where being an introvert left me feeling so glum and lost, God graciously brought up your guest post this morning on A Holy Experience. Ahhh. Salve for my sore soul today. The Lord is good, and your words are releasing some of the yuk from inside. It's sunny in Seattle today, by the way. I'm on Camano Island, an hour northward. "Introverts in the Church" is top on my reading list this month.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the blog Karen. I'm jealous you're in Seattle today! I hope my book is helpful for you.
DeleteHey! I'm also an (off the scale) introvert and found you through Ann Voskamp, one of my favorite introverts. I'm excited about ordering your book because I've been on the mission field for 8 of the last 10 or so years and have often felt some of the things you talked about in your guest post. In advance, I want to thank you for writing a book that the church desperately needs!
ReplyDeleteI love meeting introverted missionaries - there are a lot more than people expect. I hope my book helps!
DeleteAnd yet another introvert who read your column via Ann's blog. Funnily, the Lord has given me an extroverted husband, 4 extroverted and 2 introverted children. My extroverts have gotten me into many uncomfortable situations, as you can imagine. I used to think it was a messed up childhood, but now I know this is just who God made me and I am okay. There's room for us all. Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteAnn has the most amazing readers! I'm thinking about doing more with "mixed marriages" between introverts and extroverts. Thank for your comment.
DeleteWow. Imagine finding a Californian (even if you heart is in Seattle, you are one of us now!) at Ann's place! I am an "E" but just barely - and I am a native Californian. My husband and I have a long history with InterVarsity - through his uncle, Paul Byer - who developed the inductive, manuscript Bible study method so often used in IV settings, our former pastor and friend, Charles Barker, who is now working with the graduate division of IV at the Claremont Colleges, and Steve Stuckey, who is a friend of many years through Pasadena Covenant Church, our home congregation. (Two of our kids also met their spouses at Campus by the Sea, the IV camp on Catalina Island - so we've got lots of crossover ties...) I have heard wonderful things about your book and may buy a copy for every other member of my family (my husband and 3 adult kids, who are all introverts)! I just retired at the end of 2010 after 17 years of pastoring after going to Fuller at midlife. Both of my daughters graduated from Pomona and I have a grandson panting to get in next fall. Time will tell. I loved your post at Ann's and love the title of your blog. Many blessings as you continue to minister through Hospice in Covina. (My son is a palliative and hospice care physician, so we are huge fans of the whole hospice movement.) And I really like your idea of doing something with 'mixed marriages.' I think there are a lot of those!
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you Diana. Small world. Steve is my spiritual director!
ReplyDeleteHi, Adam! r. elliott shared a link to your post on The God Journey podcast blog (via Ann V.'s blog). I'm looking forward to following your blog here and also reading your book! I tried the missionary life in China for five years ... but this introvert came to realize that she, ultimately, could not handle the crowded, urban Asian life, and finally came home. Now, I work with undergrad students on a crowded university campus...go figure! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from an introvert christian in Germany! The same situation everywhere it seems!
ReplyDeleteShalom
Hermann
Hi - I'm from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada. Thank you for writing your book. I no longer feel so alone and like there is something so wrong with me and the way I do things; like I don't things correctly or that I should feel ashamed for not being more "outgoing" or "social" ...that somehow I don't care enough about people or I would want to be with them more. That I don't care about their salvation or I would evangelize more. I have been experiencing healing and self acceptance over the past few years, but it has been a hard road and few others seem to understand how and why I do things the way that I do. I do care and I do evangelize in my own way...it just differently than many others think it should be done. I have experienced a lot of hurt over the way I've been treated because I am not more extroverted. There has been a lot of shame, self doubt and hiding my true self away.
ReplyDeleteYour book answered so many questions for me and has been affirmation for the choices I've been recently making to embrace the way that I am, despite what others may understand or approve of. It is exciting for me to feel understood...to see me on the pages of your book.
Thank you so much. God is using you to heal hurts and help us know the truth. I thank Him for your message.
Carolea
Thanks Carolea!
DeleteAdam: I receive your posts by email, and love each one. I haven't yet read your book, but look forward to it as soon as I can. I live close to you in Rialto, CA, but would prefer the rain in Seattle also. Do all introverts find the clouds and rain invigorating? I do because it gives me a great excuse to stay in and read, enjoying the solitude. By the way, do you know of any writer's groups in the area? Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteI have a suspicion that your have a good point there with introverts liking rainy, cloudy weather 'addrangerramblings'
ReplyDeleteI too scored 'off the charts' and naturally understand only too well the problem we face. I'm so glad to have found this blog and the book. (looking forward to reading it!) As a missionary I have to be so careful and wise (and firm!) as to how I structure my days and time, or the extroverted vortex will swallow me up in no time at all.
Hmmm! You should drop in at INTPforum.com at some point and help me deal with all of the agnostics and atheists there... lol. Even writing comments can be a challenge when facing a hostile or skeptical mob as an audience...
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