Adam S. McHugh Knihy

Může se v církvi dařit introvertům? Čím se v církvi liší extrovert od introverta? Jaké vztahy introverti navazují? A nepodceňujeme schopnost introvertně založených křesťanů evangelizovat druhé? Na to vše ve své knize Introverti v církvi odpovídá presbyteriánský pastor Adam S. McHugh. Introverti mají řadu vlastností, které významně přispívají poslání církve a budování Těla Kristova. Je požehnáním pro církevní obce, když se na jejich vedení podílejí jak introverti, tak extroverti. Pak totiž obě skupiny přispívají ke společnému dobru svými silnými stránkami a zároveň vzájemně vyvažují své slabiny. Církevní společenství tak může řídit Duch Svatý, a ne kult osobnosti. Kniha chce inspirovat introvertně založené jedince k tomu, aby svá velká obdarování, která mohou církevnímu společenství nabídnout, sdíleli s druhými. Vychází ze zkušeností učiněných v protestantském prostředí, je však užitečná pro introverty ze všech denominací.

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak." ―James 1:19 How would our lives change if we approached every experience with the intention of listening first? In this noisy, distracting world, it is difficult to truly hear. People talk past each other, eager to be heard but somehow deaf to what is being said. Listening is an essential skill for healthy relationships, both with God and with other people. But it is more than that: listening is a way of life. Adam McHugh places listening at the heart of our spirituality, our relationships and our mission in the world. God himself is the God who hears, and we too can learn to hear what God may be saying through creation, through Scripture, through people. By cultivating a posture of listening, we become more attentive and engaged with those around us. Listening shapes us and equips us to be more attuned to people in pain and more able to minister to those in distress. Our lives are qualitatively different―indeed, better―when we become listeners. Heed the call to the listening life, and hear what God is doing in you and the world.

Introverts are called and gifted by God. But many churches tend to be extroverted places where introverts are marginalized. Some Christians end up feeling like it's not as faithful to be an introvert. Adam McHugh shows how introverts can live and minister in ways consistent with their personalities. He explains how introverts and extroverts process information and approach relationships differently and how introverts can practice Christian spirituality in ways that fit who they are. With practical illustrations from church and parachurch contexts, McHugh offers ways for introverts to serve, lead, worship and even evangelize effectively. Introverts in the Church is essential reading for any introvert who has ever felt out of place, as well as for church leaders who want to make their churches more welcoming to introverts. Discover God's call and empowering to thrive as an introvert, for the sake of the church and kingdom.