Introverts in the Church, part 7

[Seventh and probably final post in a series on the book Introverts in the Church.]

From chapter 9, Introverts in the Church.

Page 193: Roy, whom I mentioned in chapter five, startled me when he said that introverts actually play a critical role in welcoming others. Because introverts understand what it's like to be on the outside of a community looking in, we can relate to people who are visiting our church and extend hospitality to them in nonintimidating ways.

I hope that is a role I can play and continue to play, because I do understand the "outsider" view.

Page 194: In the same way, churches have a way of choosing us, a process that is mysterious, sovereign.

Man! Did I resonate when I read that, because that's exactly how it felt with stumbling upon Table of Grace - as something that has been "mysterious, sovereign." A "God thing," as more than one person has called it.

Page 199: So much of our human relationships, even the very best parts, is unspoken, and our worship, in which we interact with a personal God, ought to reflect that.

There it is again - the idea that part of a deep and meaningful relationship with God is the ability to just be. "Hey, God! You wanna just hang out with me today?" Which also fits with the book's theme that one of the most important things introverts can bring to the church is that same ability, to just sit with someone and "be."

Well, that's the end of my notes on the book. Again, I highly recommend reading it, especially if you are an introvert, especially if you are an introvert in an extroverted church. Good stuff.