Wonderfully Woven Personalities

Western culture tends to promote and reward a certain type of personality. We see evidence all around us: in politics, business, athletics, and even religion. I’m talking about a magnetic pull toward extroversion. Susan Cain calls it “the extrovert ideal” in her groundbreaking book, Quiet[1]. In most western cultures, young children are taught the importance of speaking out and putting themselves forward. Children who do so are seen as brighter, having more potential, and more likely to succeed. Quieter, more reserved children tend to be ignored or dismissed. Promotion of these cultural expectations start early and often grow stronger in high school and college. But is this cultural push toward extroversion healthy? More importantly, is it biblical?

The Origin of Personality

In Psalm 139, David explores the omniscient providence of God in soaring, poetical descriptions. After scraping the heights of heaven and plumbing the depths of Sheol, the Psalmist turns intimate: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). David uses similar language in Psalm 119:73, giving God praise for “fashioning” him. The use of such tender imagery highlights the careful attention that God gives to every individual made in his image. He creates us. He fashions us. He weaves us together. We readily acknowledge that this “forming” of Psalm 139 encompasses our physical body. But what about personality?

Even though personality profiles are man-made, it seems self-evident that every child enters the world possessing a unique, one-of-a-kind personality. How can we explain the natural bent that manifests itself so early on in life? Doesn’t it stand to reason that our inner personhood receives God’s attention just as much as our outward formation? In fact, the Hebrew word translated as “inward parts” often refers to the seat of affection – the heart. In other words, God’s weaving encompasses personality.

To use the two most generally accepted categories, some children naturally tend to be extroverts, while some are more naturally introverted. My purpose here is not to re-open the unsolvable nature vs. nurture debate. No doubt our circumstances and upbringing do have a bearing on our personalities. But, as every parent can testify, God has given each of us a starting point. Some children are more naturally outgoing than others – and that tendency often continues throughout their lives.

God delights in all types of people because he made all types of people.

Personality Pressure

Secular models suggest that the world is divided fairly evenly between introverts and extroverts. But it doesn’t seem like it. Why not? Perhaps introverts feel pressure to act like extroverts. Even in the church.

Maybe that’s not a bad thing. After all, it seems as though the Bible assumes a degree of extroversion with commands to “have dominion over the earth” (Genesis 1:28) and “go into all the world and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20). Those sound like extrovert-oriented activities. But is it not possible for introverts to obey God’s commands within the constraints of their natural personality? One of the mysteries of the church that astonishes (and attracts) the watching world is unity even in diversity. One body – many members. One body – many personalities. God delights in all types of people because he made all types of people.

Succumbing to the “extrovert ideal” can result in missing out on tremendous blessings – a point that Adam McHugh makes in his 2016 book, Introverts in the Church: Finding our Place in an Extroverted Culture[2]. If introverts are as “fearfully and wonderfully made” as extroverts, we would expect to see evidence of spiritual blessing in local churches where their gifts are valued. And we do see this. We just have to look a bit harder.

The Value of Introverts

Here are some of the strengths that introverts naturally bring to the table in a local church: a tendency to listen more than speak (a core element of biblical counseling); a desire to go deeper rather than lingering on the surface (helpful in personal evangelism and discipleship); ease with long periods of concentration (a tool for mining the riches of God’s Word for spiritual benefit); a natural tendency to study people (discovering needs that might otherwise be overlooked); persistence in solitary or tedious tasks; skill in writing; a desire to avoid the spotlight and deflect credit; a bent to lead by character and example rather than proclamation; willingness to serve behind the scenes. God wants to use these strengths for spiritual benefit.

Like a patchwork quilt, God providentially weaves a wide range of personalities together to form every local church. Chances are high that many of those hand-formed personalities skew introverted. A church or Christian ministry that carves out space for those quieter brothers and sisters to serve and use their gifts will discover a wealth of untapped potential. Introverts have a lot to offer. Just be aware that you may have to invite them directly. And you will probably have to listen carefully for their answer.

[1] Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (New York: Crown Publishers, 2012).

[2] Adam S. McHugh, Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016).

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