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How to Empower INTROVERTS for Mission

Being an introvert does not exclude him or her from the mission.

Do not allow introverts to use their design as a crutch. Instead, shed light into how God is going to use them. Allow them to see, and lead them into, what it might look like to be on mission as an introvert.

What Does Mission Look Like As An Introverted Evangelist?

Introverts, by nature, have a tough time being around people they do not know.

So, find an extrovert, or functional extrovert, that loves Jesus and understands introverts. Have the extrovert invite the introvert into his or her daily life and functions. This will allow the introvert to be with those they know, yet still be with those they don’t know.

Allow the introvert to serve at events, parties, activities, etc. in a way in which he or she is comfortable.

We have an introvert in our missional community who started by taking out the garbage, cleaning and making the food at our BBQs and breakfasts. It was pretty funny because he was like a silent cleaning assassin. People would ask, “Who is that?” I’d let them know he was a friend of mine who was here to help, so I could spend more time getting to know my neighbors.

Please tell me how that doesn’t speak to kingdom living! After a while, he started to build friendships and started to speak into them and felt very comfortable at our large events, because he knew everyone now. I wasn’t patient at first, but when I started to realize how God had made him and his love for Jesus, I allowed him to live out his identity. When we do this, we become a beautiful picture of the diverse body of Christ.

Know that because introverts do not like being around people they don’t know or large groups, they will not be the ones who are planning parties, or are the life of the parties.

Allow this; it’s okay! Do not force them to do things that they are not made to do. Of course, there is a balance to the call of mission, but at the same time, be patient. I’ve found that the more you allow the introvert time to be around extroverts, or just strangers in general … the more they get to know them and then desire to be around them.

When an introvert speaks, listen.

Introverts don’t want to bother people, because they don’t like to be bothered. But, after they get to know people, they will speak into their lives and their wisdom is usually spot on.

First, they listen and watch. When they finally feel the need to speak, they usually hit the heart of the issues at hand. Do not gloss over what they say, but listen and encourage. If you ignore or talk over them, they are stubborn buggers and might never talk again.

Introverts desire community, they just don’t know it.

Most introverts think they want to be by themselves. The fact is, they just don’t want to be around others they don’t know. And it’s not something they need to just “get over”; it’s as real as trying to get an artist to put on a suit and sit behind a desk all day. It just isn’t going to work.

So, you can tell when you have an introvert who is an evangelist because they start to gather with those they’ve developed relationships with. My wife is like this. She hates meeting new people; however, once she has developed relationships, she not only makes space for them, they make space for her.