Look, there are lots of posts about extroverts and introverts, and they are (mostly) true, and I find the (noncondenscending) ones very informative/helpful. (extroverts don’t mean to interrupt/be rude and introverts aren’t really being standoffish/antisocial, etc).
In my profession, pastoring, I have met a lot of introverts-(wait don’t you have to preach on a regular basis? you ask)
The answer is, its because of introverts super-cool-awesome listing super-powers…which are very pastoral and help a lot.
Note: this is also why pastors take Monday off, they are recovering from the preaching/being large groups/expended lots of energy thing
Usually I take Friday off, after a week of only interacting with small one-on-ones or just small groups of people, I’m drained.
Church has time for both of these types: That passing of the peace time? thats for the extroverts, that silent prayer time? That’s for the introverts…(per usual, you prob should only like about 3/4 of the service, because you want people who aren’t like you to find meaning in the worship too)
Here is, what I find, to be a helpful metaphor for introverts and extraverts
When introverts interact, they are like a balloon that is slowly deflating….and in order to regain energy, they need to go and have some down time to re-inflate…..
When extroverts DON’T interact: its like a balloon that is being filled with more and more air…and if they don’t get a change to deflate (by interacting) they will “pop”
I tend to refer to this phenomena in my own life as “emotionally throwing up” where suddenly I burst out with all of my feelings in one long-winded moment, and I don’t have the energy to pare down or be quiet (help! I’m talking and I can’t shut up)
Respect the balloon…and whatever you need to do to keep your balloon at a manageable level…do so…
and go in peace!!
