First of all, I'm hoping this post makes at least a little sense, because I'm constructing most of this post in the midst of a "restless leg v. insomnia" battle at 1 am.
Anyhow, I have to admit that I really don't understand extreme introverts. I'm not one. Like my son Connar, I usually need to be around people to get energized. That's not saying that I don't like to be alone at times and fish, or watch a Bucs game. And I don't love being in places where I don't know people just to meet people-that to me is hard work. But for the most part, I'm pretty extroverted.
As a pastor, I'm trying to learn more, and encourage all kinds of folks to be involved in serving the church in all kinds of ways, consistent with their gifting and even personality. I want to meet people in their introversion. That's not to say that I accept the introverted excuse to ignore visitors sitting near them (I've seen this in churches and it drives me nuts when folks play the "introvert" card). Introverts need encouragement in this direction, just like extroverts need to be encouraged to have deeper and more meaningful relationships.
With personalities in mind, I know its probably not best to put an introvert as a greeter. But there is probably much more to ministering properly to introverted folks than this. Looks like I may have found a good resource in this blog, Introverted Church, and also in this book: Introverts in the Church
If you are an introvert, have introverted children, minister to introverted folks, this blog really offers some things I haven't seen anywhere else.
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