How Do Introverted People Stay Engaged in a Missional Life?

Ask Caesar #4

April 10, 2016 In: FAITH, LEADERSHIP, MISSION

Welcome to this 4^th installment of Ask Caesar. Here’s this week’s question:

“Caesar, this missional lifestyle you write and speak about sounds so awesome, but I’m not an extrovert like you and your wife both seem to be. How do introverts like me fit into this whole missional thing?”

 

I’m glad you asked that Meg because I hear this a lot and I think it’s an important issue.
First, a little history about these personality types and how they differ.
Extraversion and Introversion are the preferences originally used in a personality inventory created by psychologist Carl Jung in the 1920s. Most people today may be more familiar with these terms in connection with the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory. These terms are unfortunately a bit outmoded, misunderstood and misused in that extraversion is not about being loud or the life of the party and introversion is not about being shy or anti-social.

How Do You Recharge Your Batteries?

These preferences have to do with how people get their energy and recharge emotionally or mentally. Extroverts draw energy from other people and interaction, while introverts do so from within themselves and through reflection.
It’s important to understand that there are times when all of us feel more introverted and need to be alone or seek a quiet place. I seem to remember Jesus doing this from time to time.
There are also times when even the most introverted among us go to parties, function socially and have a good time. Again, Jesus did this pretty often as well. We all possess elements of both introversion and extroversion. 
Which is more spiritual: to hang out with a large crowd of people, or to get into a boat and row away to find solitude? Jesus did both.Click To Tweet So, to sort of summarize this Meg, being an introvert does not mean you are always shy or don’t prefer being around people. Your introversion has to do with how you recharge and renew your strength after you’ve engaged with people at work, or parties, at the table and on mission.

There May Be a Gospel Issue At Hand

Sometimes the claim of introversion can be a smoke screen for self-focus or an attempt to cover up fear of man issues. Both are an issue of unbelief in the gospel. “The best way I know to protect and control what others think of me is to avoid people.” But the gospel is the good news that God loves us deeply, so we can put ourselves out there with others, secure in this knowledge.
We all have the choice to be with people each day or not. Who and what will be the focus or our time, energy and resources? Where will the source of strength for these interactions lay; my own very limited supply, or The Holy Spirit’s endless flow?
This is exactly the same for both introverts and extroverts.
Remember, God has gifted you differently than others AND he knows who will be a good fit for you relationally. Within your community, or at a larger meal or party, you don’t have to feel like you need to meet every single person, crack the jokes and then drop the mic. Let God lead you to those “people of peace” who will love you for who you are.

We Need Both Introverts and Extroverts on Mission

Extroverts are great for drawing a crowd, and introverts are more naturally drawn to fewer folks but go deeper into relationship. We need both in our missional communities.
When trying to move toward a lifestyle of discipleship and mission as a more introverted person, ask yourself (or the Spirit) these questions:

1. How set in my ways am I? Do I love my routines more than people?
2. Could I be hiding my selfishness behind the term “introvert”?
3. Do I plan for times of recharging alone after being with lots of people? How could I improve on this so as to better enjoy the social times?
4. Do I believe God has made me both in his image (like Jesus) and uniquely…and that is good?!
5. How does God want to use me within the lives of others in community?
6. Do I regularly seek the Spirit when trying to decide how often I will be in community and involved with others?
7. Do I prefer and/or understand the value of going deeper with those few people God may be calling me to?

Remember, you don’t always have to lead the band, but you do have a part to play…
Us loud extroverts need you! The next best time to trust God with your relational time and energy is today. I hope this helps…
If you are an introvert (or know one) what advice do you have for living on mission from this perspective?