For every introvert who has cringed during a worship service that was just too action-packed and noisy.

For every introvert who has considered a job in the ministry, only to have second thoughts about the grueling expectations of congregations who assume a pastor will be endlessly gregarious, outgoing, available, and always “on”.

For every introvert who has longed to share his or her spiritual gifts, but felt that being introverted made the prospect impossible, or at least difficult; or felt that the more extroverted members of the congregation didn’t approve of the quieter, subtler, more behind-the-scenes efforts of introverted members.

For every introvert who has wanted to find his or her place in the church, Adam McHugh has written Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture. And this is a book that is well worth reading.

Before I go further, I have to tell you all that while I have a spiritual life, and a deeply Christian background, I do not consider myself a Christian. However, I still know exactly what it’s like to go to church services and need a three-hour nap afterward – services that are filled with lively, jangling music, interpretive dance, shaking hands and hugging, followed by coffee hours filled with the ever-raising volume of voices socializing and sharing experiences from the past week and plans for the next, fueled by coffee and glazed doughnuts – I’ve been there. The spiritual community I belong to now has been known to throw Sunday morning shindigs just like what I’ve described above. For an introvert like me, that’s exhausting (and not terribly uplifting)!

I also know what it’s like to be encouraged (which feels so much like pressure) to join committees and groups, to attend meetings and events, and to feel too overwhelmed with it all to be able to follow through effectively.

I know what it’s like to try to do something, and come away feeling that because it’s not a grand, outward expression of faith, it’s not as worthy.

I don’t want to make belonging to or going to church, or regular spiritual gatherings sound horrible. These things certainly aren’t meant to be horrible. They’re meant to uplift and to provide a place where people of faith can work toward common goals such as social justice, evangelism, learning and education and/or other spiritual pursuits.

But often these places and these gatherings and the cultures that are created around them are nerve-racking and tiring for introverts. Many of us would love to bring the word “sanctuary” back to the forefront, and be allowed to worship and share our spiritual paths with others in a calmer, quieter and more reverent manner.

This is where Introverts in the Church steps in.

In his book, Adam S. McHugh addresses the dilemmas I’ve described and more. But above and beyond that, he gives introverted Christians solid information from not only a scriptural viewpoint, but a historical one that is both encouraging and empowering. And looking at the situation of present-day evangelism, McHugh offers more hope for introverts who want to worship, share their faith, and share their gifts in a more quiet and focused manner.

As an ordained minister and introvert himself, McHugh also relates his own personal experiences in the church and in ministry – both his trials and triumphs, in this well written and personable book.

Adam’s journey of ministry and evangelism is one that can be used as a positive example of how introverts can effectively share their faith, without betraying their psychological and physiological needs for solitude, space and silence.

Giving examples and stories from introverted believers and ministers, and wisdom gleaned from thorough research and experience, this book is one that every introverted churchgoer, lay-minister, and minister should read and study. This book should also be required reading for extroverted ministers and members of congregations, as a means for better understanding and harmony.

For those who are not Christian, there is still huge value in this book. Spiritual groups of all kinds often focus on outward action and outward appearances, forgetting that introverts have much to offer to congregations, and the means to provide other ways of sharing spiritual philosophies and joys with their peers and the public at large. I recommend this book highly.

Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture is available now for pre-order at Amazon.com.

One last note: Even though Adam McHugh and I have exchanged emails and I consider him a friendly acquaintance, I wouldn’t have given his book a good review if I didn’t truly believe that it’s worth reading. I would’ve made up some lame excuse to not review it at all.