Growing up Pentecostal as an introvert was challenging, but it showed me God has an interesting sense of humor.

While I’m very proud and appreciative of my Pentecostal heritage, my tendency toward quieter worship and less exuberant behavior, particularly in my teens, sometimes drew questioning glances. I didn’t like praying out loud, raising my hands a lot, or participating in Jericho marches around the sanctuary.

The assessment of others was that certainly something was amiss in my soul or askew with me spiritually. I often wondered if this were true.

In the classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne endures shame she brought on herself and wears a scarlet “A” for adultery on her clothing.

While it’s no sin to be an introvert, many whom I’ve talked to over the years often feel as if they are marked with a scarlet “I” in the church. They report how they are treated is often a tad graceless. I know that feeling.

The apostle John reminds us that “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24, Christian Standard Bible).

As I grew and matured in faith, coming to a clearer understanding of what being a Christian meant, I also became better aware of how I was made — fearfully and wonderfully as an introvert. Meaning, to worship truthfully, for me, was to do so more quietly than my extroverted co-laborers.

Over the years, being an active ministry leader has further clarified that God has created us — introverts and extroverts — to serve in His kingdom together, both adding value and richness to our various fellowships.

Often in the Church, introversion is misunderstood. This can lead to misaligning introverts in roles that don’t really fit their design. Recent studies indicate that approximately half of the population are introverts.

God has put introverts and extroverts in the Church to work together. For this to happen, it’s necessary to have a better view of what introversion is and isn’t.

In this article, I’ll bust three myths about introverts. Then, we’ll look at a few strengths of both introverts and extroverts and see how they complement each other.

Myth #1: Introverts can just get over it

Via Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture, Adam McHugh describes his challenge as an introvert minister repeatedly urged to be more “outgoing.” He writes that in “American culture,” and especially in churches, “those who are talkative, out-going, energetic, and assertive have a decided advantage.” 

Often introversion is viewed as a kind of “condition” that can be “cured” like indigestion. More than once, I’ve been told to “just get over” my introversion. This jibes with the experiences of many introverts I’ve spoken with.

But we can’t just get over it. The reality is that we are all knit together as either extroverts or introverts. How introverted or extroverted you are is based on your genetic makeup.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals facilitating the movement of information in our brains. The information pathways in an introvert’s brain are longer and more complex than in an extrovert brain. Plus, the chemicals of choice for both varies.

Holly Gerth explains in The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, that extroverts “thrive on dopamine, a stimulant.” However, too much dopamine “makes introverts feel anxious, then exhausted.” For introverts the chemical “acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter, is more active.” This calming chemical is activated when introverts “turn inward, focus on ideas, have meaningful conversations, and do work that matters” to them.

Does this mean that all introverts are the same? No. While introverts are genetically inclined to be quieter, how this is expressed will vary based on many factors. In very simple terms, though, generally speaking, extroverts tend to be quick thinkers while introverts are deep thinkers.

Truth: Introverts can’t “just get over” their introversion but are made to be naturally thoughtful and meditative.

Myth #2: Introverts are rude and standoffish

It’s not unusual for introverts to frequently be asked by extrovert friends, “Why are you so quiet?” Simple! Being quiet provides the perfect James 1:19 quick-to-listen, slow-to-speak space for introverts to carefully form thoughts and develop the just-right response.

Introverts may be quiet on the outside, but inside an introvert’s head is often a very noisy place. Introverts have a lot to say, it just takes longer to process how they want to speak.

For the body of Christ to function well, we need to work together, complementing one another’s styles.

My wife and I participated regularly in an adult small group in Cleveland. While others would be talking, I’d listen quietly until I had something of value to share. Once, after I had spoken, the leader said with a smile, “He’s quiet, but when he speaks it’s always something worth hearing!”

When I’m leading a group discussion and sense a quieter participant has something to say, I make sure they get to speak.

An introvert who is quiet isn’t being rude or standoffish. They’re just trying to sort through, settle down, and make sense of the noise in their heads.

Truth: Introverts are not quiet to be rude or standoffish but are created to be deep and careful thinkers.

Myth #3: Introverts don’t like people

Another common belief is that introverts are antisocial. It’s an easy mistake to make when you see an introvert on the sidelines of a crowded room sitting alone or conversing with just one person. At the same time extroverts in the room are bouncing around, chatting with everyone, and having a boisterous loud time.

Matthew 18:19-20 explains that it doesn’t take a crowd to have a holy confab.

Introverts like conversing with people and enjoy being around them. The difference is that introverts generally don’t enjoy large groups, several people talking all at once, or extended interactions. These are activities that drain their mental and emotional energy. After they’ve enjoyed a group event for a bit, introverts usually need to retreat and recharge in solitude. This is not unlike what Jesus did regularly.

Extroverts, on the other hand, gain energy in group settings. Multiple interactions charge their emotional and mental batteries. In fact, being alone and quiet too long can actually be a drag on extroverts.

Truth: Introverts like people but are designed to seek fewer and more intense personal interactions.

Introverts and extroverts are a gift to the body of Christ

God has created introverts and extroverts to be different for a reason. Given that the gifts of the Holy Spirit vary, and that each believer has a unique calling, insisting that only "extroverted behavior” is spiritual isn’t scriptural and doesn’t even make sense (see Romans 12).

We honor God’s creative intentions by respecting the created differences each of us brings to the Church.

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren explains that God “created each of us with a unique combination of personality traits.” There is no right or wrong temperament. But Warren does caution that trying to behave against how we’re made (such as an introvert being pushed to be more outgoing) will result in tension, discomfort, and burnout.

Introverts and extroverts individually strong together

Ignoring the strengths of introverts can mean misaligning the gifts of up to half your congregation, not to mention leaving those eager to serve frustrated. Let’s examine a few strengths of both styles and some examples of how these can stand alone as well as complement each other.

Extrovert strengths

• Multi-connectors. Extroverts connect easily with a lot of people. They’re great for interacting with newcomers or managing chaotic situations (like VBS).
• Fast-thinkers. Extroverts think faster on their feet. In situations requiring instant decisions, they are invaluable.
• Go-getters. Extroverts tend toward immediate action. Once strategies and goals are defined, they can ensure progress happens in a timely manner.

Introvert strengths

• Deep-connectors. Introverts prefer to connect meaningfully with a few people at a time. They can be excellent one-on-one disciplers or small group facilitators.
• Slow-thinkers. Introverts process information more slowly, examining issues from many angles. They can spot potential issues others might miss.
• Cautious-doers. Introverts tend to be careful and methodical when moving forward. They want to see objectives completed while also ensuring details aren’t overlooked.

Putting them together

• Projects. Introverts can bring cautious consideration to large projects, while extroverts keep nudging the results forward.
• Music. Having both personality styles on the worship team ensures the congregation is led in both exuberant praise and contemplative worship.
• Leading. Extroverts can help encourage active fellowship in small groups, while introverts ensure deeper insights are shared and individuals aren’t overlooked.

Introverts and extroverts are both needed

As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are [both introvert and extrovert] his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [in God’s image] for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do [together]” (CSB, inserted text added).

Introverts are not better than extroverts. Extroverts are not better than introverts. Both personality styles are God-created and God-blessed. For the body of Christ to function well, we need to work together, complementing one another’s styles.