If you want to find out more about Ride for Life you can do so here.

God Bless,

Dave

In today’s post I thought I would share a list of things he describes as common attributes of Introverts on page 42.

• Prefer to relax alone or with a few close friends
• Consider only deep relationships as friends
• Need rest after outside activities,even ones we enjoy
• Often listen but talk a lot about topics of importance to us
• Appear calm, self-contained and like to observe
• Tend to think before we act or speak
• May prefer a quiet atmosphere
• Experience our minds going blank in groups or under pressure
• Don’t like feeling rushed
• Have great powers of concentration
• Dislike small talk
• Are territorial – desire private space and time
• May treat their homes as their sanctuaries
• Prefer to work on own rather than a group
• May prefer written communication
• Do not share private thoughts with many people

Again I relate to many of these things on the list. People who know me personally could probably go down the list and tick them off one by one!

If you relate to a number of things on the list above, then this book might be helpful for you. It will help you to accept yourself as you are and allow you to move out into the world with greater understanding of how you are wired.

This will probably be my last post on the book. I am tempted to pass on things I find and relate to, but I don’t want to share too much because it might be more beneficial for you to buy the book if you relate to what I have shared so far.

God Bless,

Dave

Extroverts often gain energy by being around people and if they have an issue they talk it through with others. Introverts on the other hand need space and solitude to recharge and work things through internally.

On pages 35 and 36 it explains how Introverts find energy…

“Introverts are energised by solitude. We are recharged from inside out, from the forces of our internal world of ideas and feelings. Just as a geyser finds its power from a subterranean water source, introverts derive strength from hidden places. We generally fill our tanks in private or in the presence of one or two close friends, or else in a public place without interacting with those around us”.

Again I related to these ideas. For me finding energy is about being alone with my thoughts and alone with God. Often I can recharge by spending time at home or in a solitary place.

For me this is why my walks up Merredin Peak are a regular part of my routine. Especially when I feel overloaded from recent events and need space to process things that have taken place. It is also good to get my thoughts straight for things that are coming up.

As Christians I believe it is important to keep growing and moving forward. I am finding this book a great read and a tool that is helping me to further understanding my personality and the way I do things.

God Bless,

Dave

In the introduction section it talks about introverts and extroverts as Pastors and leaders. It talks about extrovert leaders being charismatic and magnetic, energised by the conversation and social interaction with the congregation, able to talk on all topics and speak with people of all social standing with ease. They are people who naturally draw people to themselves.

Then it turns to someone who is more introverted…

“I, by way of contrast, relished times of solitude, reflection and personal study. I enjoyed people, and I found satisfaction in depth of relationship and conversation, but even when I spent time with people I liked, I looked forward to moments of privacy. I found crowds draining. I could stand up and preach a sermon in front of hundreds of people without nervousness, but I often stumbled through the greeting time afterward because my energy reserves were dry”.

I can 100% relate to the second description types of personality. Over the years I have struggled with this and at times tried to be more like the first description, but could only keep it up for a short time. Eventually I would become tired and drained and have to withdraw to recover.

Because of this I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the book. As I read through I will share some of the things that jump out at me in future blog posts.

God Bless,

Dave

I had done a number of messages for the church youth group and my Pastor thought I was ready to deliver a sermon to the main church on Sunday morning.

I thought I might only get one chance to speak in church so I went with the salvation message. The title was “You must be born again” and the text was John 3:1-7.

I thought I would copy and paste the text and put it as an article on my blog. If you are interested you can find it here – You must be born again.

God Bless,

Dave

PS. In the picture is the clothes I wore and the Bible I preached from too!

My biggest struggle as a Christian has always been Sunday morning church. As someone who is not naturally outgoing (or more reflective/introverted), it has always been really hard. I am not naturally drawn to crowds and I am not naturally drawn to social occasions like parties or group events. So I find Sunday morning church with the big crowds really hard.

That may surprise a few people who read this blog as I always encourage people to attend church and serve in some capacity there. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe church is good and as Christians we should meet with other Christians, it is just what we do on Sunday morning is really hard for me… and I suspect for a lot of other people too?

Ever since I first started attending church in the late 1980s I have always looked forward to the home group type atmosphere where you sit in someone’s lounge room and you talk, pray and do a Bible study together. I also find a home group atmosphere a better place to share and make real friends. It just seems more natural and more real to me.

In saying this though, there are the occasional times when I love to get together with a large group of Christians and be part of something big. I love it when hundreds of Christians come together and worship God. I love that atmosphere, but it takes a real lot to “psyche” myself up to walk in the door. When I leave I often feel a mixture of both exhilaration from the worship and being drained from being around that many people at the same time.

I am wondering as I type if I am the only one who struggles with Sunday morning church or if there are others who find it hard too? I wonder if there are others who struggle, but go because we should? I wonder if there are others who like the smaller home group setting more too?

God Bless,
Dave

Because of this I am very reflective and I spend a lot of time praying, reading my Bible and meditating on the Word. While I am confident in small group I find the big crowds of most churches abnormal and uncomfortable. I also find a lot of people contact draining.

This is why the title of this book jumped out at me. Here is some of the blurb…

“Introverts are called and gifted by God. But many churches tend to be extroverted places where introverts are marginalized. Some Christians end up feeling like it’s not as faithful to be an introvert.

Adam McHugh shows how introverts can live and minister in ways consistent with their personalities. He explains how introverts and extroverts process information and approach relationships differently and how introverts can practice Christian spirituality in ways that fit who they are. With practical illustrations from church and parachurch contexts, McHugh offers ways for introverts to serve, lead, worship and even evangelize effectively.

Introverts in the Church is essential reading for any introvert who has ever felt out of place, as well as for church leaders who want to make their churches more welcoming to introverts. Discover God’s call and empowering to thrive as an introvert, for the sake of the church and kingdom.”

I must say I am really looking forward to receiving this book and reading it. We have actually ordered two copies so my wife and I can read it together and maybe pass one copy on to someone else afterwards.

About the Author: Adam S. McHugh (Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary) is an ordained Presbyterian minister, a spiritual director and an introvert. He has served at two Presbyterian churches, as a hospice chaplain and as campus staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He and his wife live in Claremont, California.

As I read through the book I will pass my reflections on as I go. If you are interested in buying one you can find it here at Koorong Bookstore.

God Bless,
Dave

“Christ gives pastors to the church, pastors equip the saints for ministry, and you, the saints, minister to each other; that is, you exhort one another every day and thus become God’s instruments for the preservation of each other’s faith.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this.

When we look at Ephesians 4:11-12 we see that God has given Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers to build up the church. Verse 12 tells us that they “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”.

I think we all need to remember that as Christians we are all ministers and all called to care for and minister to each other. The Pastor’s role is to equip us to do that. He can’t do it all.

God Bless,

Dave

One book I picked up again today is Roger Thoman’s Simple/House Church Revolution. It is a really simple book that talks about doing church differently. Something long term readers will know that I am in to!

In particular I really like chapter four of the book. It says that doing church is a way of life that involves five principles.

1. Reach – Reaching out. Loving others with no strings attached. An “outbreak of love”.

2. Disciple – Disciple making that everyone can do. Influencing others relationally and contagiously.

3. Gather – Experiencing dynamic, participatory  body-life with others.

4. Empower – Empowering others. A truly upside down understanding  of leading (facilitating) decentralized systems.

5. Multiply – Reproducing yourself. Becoming seed that brings forth a multiple harvest.

In the remaining chapters of the book he unpacks these thoughts. It explains how you go about putting these things into practice.

I first read this book about two years ago and posted some thoughts on it. Today I was prompted to pick it up again.

If you are interested in reading it yourself, you can download it for free at Roger’s website here  http://www.simplechurchrevolution.com/download.htm

God Bless,

Dave

As I have been thinking about this I have been reminded that his role was to plant and set a solid foundation for these new churches. He would preach and teach them about salvation, who Christ was, living for God’s Kingdom, loving others and seeing this life through the eternal eyes of God.

He would set up the church and once the foundations were laid he would leave this new group of believers. Often this was after only 3-6 months. In today’s terms this would be unheard of, but Paul trusted the new church to God and that the believers would continue to grow in Christ.

After Paul left the church would prayerfully determine the direction God wanted them to take and the things they needed to do. In time natural leaders would rise up and peoples would move in their gifted areas. We see that sometimes Paul would either return to see them, send a fellow worker or write to them.

As I have been thinking about this I think that we really need this type of approach to return. Especially in country areas where there are not many ministers or churches. It would be really helpful.

God Bless,

Dave