Recently, I received an article that tells the story of an "introverted leader". I have attached the full article to this blog so you can read it for yourself. This article immediately grabbed my attention when I noticed that the person that posted the article was also a pastor kid and whose father (the pastor) happened to be an extrovert.
One of the dangers that we may run into when we are either; under the leadership of one person, grew up in the church or have had one mentor during our lifetime is that we start to measure our personality, skills, and gifts to that person. My father is a life-time learner and at the age of 65 received this doctorate in Theology. I admire my father and his will and desire to continue learning. Today, he is a retired minister and at the age of 68 he is teaching himself how to read, speak and write Hebrew and Greek. Amazing, right? However, it is very easy for me to measure my gifts, skills or knowledge to his and quickly come to the realization that I do not posses the knowledge that he does- comparison is one of the enemies traps and can hit a leader hard! I once read a quote "You can not compare your beginnings to someone else's middle". We can easily see an extrovert, a very charasmatic person, a sanguine- life of the party personality and believe that we are not cut out for leadership because we are just not "wired" that way. However, I want to remind you today that you were made, wired, put together just how your Heavenly Father wanted you to be and be useful for His Kingdom (Psalms 139:13-14). Do not try to adapt to someone else, be yourself- we bring honor to God when we do!!!
Drew Dyck, Leadership managing editor, tells us that "Introverts comprise anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of the population, and some of the best pastors I know are introverts. Introversion is not a ministry liability. But it can present challenges, especially in America where many churches foster an extroverted ministry culture."
I say welcome Introverts to leadership, embrace your God-given personality and use it to bring love and comfort to His Kingdom. Also, don't forget that you are in very good company when Moses was also considered an Introvert!!!!
Be encouraged STN LIDs!!!
