The Introvert Charismatic: The gift of introversion in a noisy church

Encouraged and impressed by the Right Reverend Mark Tanner's Grove Series booklet, "How to Write a Good Sermon", (which I picked up in England while we were living there in 2014), I eagerly searched for other writings and came across The Introvert Charismatic.For every Pentecostal pastor, director or leader: please read this book so you can understand your congregation and respect each person's worship style.When you coerce (or demand) I do what you do (sit, stand, hug, clap, shout), you may cause me, a sociable introvert, to be distracted, annoyed, and want to leave, when "just a moment ago I was just as enthusiastic about the Lord as [you]." pg. 206

This is a great book! I knew something of the story of how it came to be written, because I know the author - and I was intrigued to read it! I am quite an extreme extrovert, and so obviously I find it easier to understand how extroverts tick! I'm also a charismatic, and I confess that I find it easier to imagine the words 'extrovert' and 'charismatic' together than I do 'introvert' and 'charismatic'! The first part of the book explores what introverts are like (while recognising, of course, that they're not all the same!). It was really helpful to me in shattering some of my misconceptions and misunderstandings about introversion! Then there's also an exploration of what it means to be charismatic - again, some myths are debunked and greater understanding is to be gained. I love the way the book is real, and honest, and grapples with hard issues and tackles hard questions. So it honestly looks at ways in which charismatic expressions of Christianity are hard for introverts, and at what us extroverts have to learn from them! It's written out of the author's personal experience, but it also draws in other people's stories, which I found really helpful to get different viewpoints. And I loved the 'letters' - one written to charismatics from an introvert; and one to introverts from a charismatic. There is huge pastoral sensitivity and wisdom in this book. I personally learnt a lot from it about my lovely introverted friends! I would recommend it, whatever point of the introvert-extrovert spectrum you find yourself at.

I have always struggled in church without realising why. I love the Charismatic church but found myself feeling extremely uncomfortable at times. This book has helped me realise that there is nothing wrong with being introverted, but without extroverts and/or pastors reading this I'm afraid I will continue to be misunderstood and overlooked within the church.

Excellent book! Highly recommended

Excellent. A work long overdue. The letters at the end of each chapter enhance this work enormously. Well done!

excellent