Is It O.K. To Come To Church As an Introvert Seeking Contemplation and Community?

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Permalink Reply by Bill Fogarty on April 27, 2010 at 1:12pm

Judy, your questions go directly to this one question: what is the purpose of our church? To put it simply, I would say the purpose is to be welcoming to all. And "all" includes people who are on different journeys, people who are in different phases of their lives. The purpose of the church is to provide community, within a framework that allows for both passive and active participation and involvement. So it includes providing a welcoming community for introverts, and an opportunity for all to be involved. I think we do want to encourage active participation, but at the same time respect the path that each person is on. Thanks so much for raising up this question!

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Permalink Reply by June Herold on April 29, 2010 at 9:44pm

Hi Judy. First: Thank you for everything you have done for the church. You and many other long-time members have made this church possible for all those who've followed you.

Given that my Myers Briggs results consistently show that I live on the banana split like border of introvert and extrovert, it's important to me that the church can equally support deep reflection and but also enable my activism when I able to devote energy to it. I have trouble doing both at the same time. And right now, I'm skewing far to the spiritual journey end of my continuum. And that's just how it's gotta be. Thanks for confirming in my mind that the answer is YES. Your UUCAVA life example makes the question redundant and reminds those who are passionate about one end or the other that it's okay to float in and out of activism when personal journeys dictate it.

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Permalink Reply by Judy King on April 30, 2010 at 1:31pm

June,
"Floating in and out of activism" is a great concept.
One is not always in the same "place", so why put oneself in a box?
I'm getting out this minute!
Sometimes the number of good causes and worthwhile activities
seems daunting. I guess one has to acknowledge them without guilt
and humbly choose one's own course.

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Permalink Reply by Chris & John Sutton on May 3, 2010 at 7:01pm

Yes, by all means, yes.

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Permalink Reply by Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz on May 5, 2010 at 7:46am

Judy, I like a model of church in which one third of the people are "pew sitters," one third are involved or getting involved in various service (such as ushering, hospitality, social justice work), and one third are leaders. The important thing is that the thirds need to keep rotating through! -- so the leaders get a sabbatical and get to be pew sitters, get to sit still, moving on so those who are beginning to get involved find room to become leaders. ("Pew sitter" may sound pejorative, but in my thinking, it's not -- if nobody's sitting in those nice new pews, what are we here for?)

Thanks for the conversation.

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Adcock on May 7, 2010 at 11:15am

Dear Judy--Thanks for sharing these reflections. Really, it's gotta be OK to move in and out of different approaches to life, and we are blessed by hearing the words of those who "oppose" what we think we're about. I remember in the late 1970s, when I was rushing about in social change activities, how much relief I felt at the thought I could perhaps accomplish more if I let myself feel deeply and quietly the spirit of life itself, evolving towards ever-greater lovingkindness. Dissipating some of the rash rage that was fueling some of my endeavors. Today, it's a constant endeavor to remain grounded in both ways of being. But some day I want to see your paintings!!!!!!
love, Cynthia

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Permalink Reply by Rev. JD Benson on May 9, 2010 at 1:00pm

Be an introvert in church? I sure hope so.

To my way of thinking "to everything there is a season". Social action, as just one example, is something that we can always be actively a part of at any time, however different times in our lives call for involvement in different ways. Sitting in silent meditation is a way of being "active" as much as sitting on a road blocking traffic and getting arrested in a protest. It's intentional. And we must be able to say "no" to some things in order to make room for others. If we could do it all.....but we cannot. And we don't always feel called to be involved in ways other wish us to be. It's conscious choice and intention that matter. I don't mean that old saying about "good intentions" either. I mean knowing what matters most to us and our limits and our strengths---all that stuff goes into conscious intentionality.

So, introverts at church? Why not! We need the sustenance, always. Just come on in, sit down a spell and be nourished! "there is a time for everything...".

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