If you are anything like me, the thought of being in the middle of a big crowd just makes you want to be absorbed into the ground. I am an introvert and so, unlike extroverts, I do not like crowds, lots of people or being in the spotlight. My energy comes from solitude and downtime.
Often when we think of evangelism, however, we think big crowds, larger-than-life speakers, conviction on mass scale with lots of people eager to listen. It’s almost a fundamental part of our Adventist heritage with history books recording evangelistic meeting after evangelistic meeting. The Bible also gives plenty of examples of this scenario (see Matthew 5-7, Matthew 14, Mark 4, Mark 8 and more).
Being an introvert, I have often felt—and wondered—how does my personality type fit into the “box” that is evangelism? I mean, you would never catch me in front of a big crowd!
In addition, as society changes and becomes more individualistic, it seems as though this method of evangelism faces more challenges than it once did.
So where to now?
I would like to suggest that extroverted evangelism is no longer the only way to evangelise. Something I would like to call introverted evangelism can be just as powerful.
This idea of a more personal, more one-to-one mission style is something that Jesus also demonstrated repeatedly during His mission on earth. There is the Woman at the Well (John 4), Nicodemus (John 3), Mary Magdalene (John 20) and Zacchaeus (Luke 19). The list could go on.
Humanity today is craving intimate connection, and intimate connection is hard to find in crowds. Intimate connections are found and built during small-scale interactions. Ones us introverts much prefer.
If you have resonated with this and also wonder how your introversion could possibly be used for evangelism, think again. You do not need to stand on a big stage with lights aiming for you; you do not need to grab the attention of masses of people. You can chat with your neighbour, you can sit down and have a drink with a friend from work, you can invite your children’s school friends’ families around for a meal. This is how you create connection and how you can have an impact on someone’s life. These small conversations may one day lead to followers of Jesus.
So, here’s to introverted evangelism! Give it a try!
Claire Taylor is a wife, mum of four and relief teacher at Southland Adventist Christian School in Invercargill (NZ). She currently oversees communications at the Invercargill church and helps run the Invercargill Mums at the Table group.
