Can introverts lead full Christian lives?

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It seems to me that evangelization and works of charity involve a certain level of extrovert behavior.

Should Introverts find other ways of contributing, or should they overcome and learn to become extroverts for love of neighbor?
 
Not sure why you think one has to be an extrovert. There are many ways to evangelize, you don’t have to stand preaching out on the street. And there are many ways to be charitable.
 
This is a bit misleading on the notions of introvert/extrovert.

Both of them are social, the main difference is they charge/drain energy in social settings.

Yes, the introvert should make a conscious effort to expand his boundaries and perfect his weaknesses that are proper to their personality, that way they grow and mature.
 
You seem to be using the word “introvert” as though it meant the same as “autistic”.
 
Maximus_Power said:
evangelization
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Evangelization should be more behavioural than by word of mouth. Most people have already heard of the Bible. What we need to do is not just tell them about it but also act like it tells us to do.
 
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When it comes to evangelization and works of charity, some of the hardest workers at my church are introverts. Anyone with any temperament can find works of charity to suit them. I’m an introvert and work in the sacristy, mostly by myself, and love it. I have introvert friends who help clean the church or work in the kitchen or have other behind-the-scenes jobs. It may be uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get to know the small group of people with whom you volunteer and it’ll feel like “home” soon!

If a little bit of interaction with people appeals to you, become a Mass greeter or an usher; they’re sorely needed and you can get to know a lot of people quickly and it’s only for 1.5-2 hours a week. If you want to stretch your boundaries a bit, take Holy Communion to the home-bound, even if it’s just one person that you visit each week or so. God has given you many blessings and talents and you need to challenge yourself to continually grow in love and charity!
 
Introverts don’t live in caves lol. They just don’t interact quite as much.

An extrovert becomes distressed if they are away from people for too long, or have anxiety with silence, etc.

An introvert becomes agitated if they are around people for too long, or if there is too much prolonged social chaos.

Both of these personalities are both benefits as well as crosses to bear. We have to conform our personality to Christ no matter what our personality is, and that means disciplining oneself.
 
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I evangelise to the best of my ability, and I’m an introvert. I’ve even gone door-to-door to do so. Being an introvert doesn’t necessarily mean being isolated. I have the added bonus of also having rather severe anxiety, but because I know these people need to hear the gospel I’m going to share it with them.
 
I think there are different kinds of activities that appeal to different personalities. Contemplative prayer and spiritual direction both strike me a as very appropriate for an introvert.
 
It’s possible for introverts to evangelise on the streets, if that’s what you’re asking. It’ll just take more effort in comparison to an extrovert.

Even if you don’t evangelise on the streets (I suspect over 90% of Christians don’t anyway), it is possible to lead a full Christian life. You can evangelise through other means, such as charitable actions towards others, talking with your non-Christian colleagues about Jesus etc.
 
I’m a huge introvert. But I’m very active in my parish. Funny how God works.
 
Evangelize on the streets?

What does this involve? Preaching to strangers?

This will likely have the opposite effect. Driving people away from the Gospel.

I think the approach is more individual. Getting to know someone first, truly knowing who they are, helping and praying for them. This gets more souls then just preaching to strangers.

Introverts do better one or one or with small groups and knowing people as individuals and reflecting to them the love and friendship of Christ.
 
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Bringing holiness into our daily tasks and struggles impact the world for good and is in reach of most Catholics. Your daily duties, done with Christ, is like the little boy who brought his loaves and fish to Christ and He fed the 5,000.

Nothing to do with introverts or extroverts.
Isn’t that awesome?
 
Plenty of the saints can be described as introverted. So, of course introverts can lead full Christian lives.
 
I hope so–I’m a “4” on the Myers-Briggs introvert scale–while I’ll do online apologetics all day long, in real life, I’m shaking 😗
 
I’m at high as possible for extrovert on the MB scale. Yet I’ve never actively evangelized anywhere, the concept is foreign and strange.

I lead by example. I discuss my faith if it comes up. I don’t think door knocking or using a platform works at all. In fact I imagine it has the opposite effect on most people.
 
Salibi said:
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Maximus_Power:
evangelization
Click to expand...
Evangelization should be more behavioural than by word of mouth. Most people have already heard of the Bible. What we need to do is not just tell them about it but also act like it tells us to do.
Click to expand...
Many may have heard of the Bible, but how many non-Christians know about the Gospel’s central message: the Kerygma? How many non-Christians know what the Kerygma is all about?

That’s why there’s still a great need to evangelize by not only living the life of Christ, but by proclaiming the Good News, the Kerygma, to non-believers.

That said, not every Christian is called to be an active evangelist (by word) of Christ. Many are called to a life of prayer and even seclusion in regards to their prayer life. Others are called grow the Kingdom of God in many other different ways, ways where being an introvert wouldn’t be any sort of hindrance.

So yes, introverts can most certainly live full Christian lives.
 
It sure does.

In my opinion we are called to evangelize by performing corporal and spiritual acts of mercy.

Knocking door to door or stopping strangers kind of reminds me of trying to sell the gospel like it was a product with a catchy marketing slogan.

“Want to get to heaven? Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior!”
 
Sarcelle said:
It sure does.

In my opinion we are called to evangelize by performing corporal and spiritual acts of mercy.

Knocking door to door or stopping strangers kind of reminds me of trying to sell the gospel like it was a product with a catchy marketing slogan.

“Want to get to heaven? Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior!”
Click to expand...
Jesus told his disciples to go door to door, village to village.
🙂
 
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