Many years ago when I was a fresh-faced Assistant Pastor I was at a Wednesday morning prayer meeting with other local church leaders. it was the time of the Toronto Blessing and I was with lots of enthusiastic leaders from other church denominations.
Some I remember prayed extremely long eloquent prayers. Others looked like they were about to burst a vein with wanting more of what the Lord was doing. Now it might have just have been me, but In a totally male environment there seemed to be an ever so slightly covert competition taking place with who could pray the biggest, longest, most dynamic prayer.
Meanwhile, in the quiet corner there was the staff from our Vineyard who, on the whole, were quite quiet, reflective with low-pitched, but nevertheless passionate prayers.
One of our guys said to me on the walk back to our offices afterwards, rather sheepishy, that if he had been in a couple of the churches present he doubted whether he would have been noticed as someone who has any pastoral leadership potential. He felt a charismatic personality was the only way to get noticed in them. I have a horrid feeling he might have been right.
I have often thought about this self-disclosing comment over the years. I wonder if we do notice more those who gush enthusiasm by the bucket loads and talk a great talk and appear God's gift to the Church more than the quiet ones.
So who really makes the bigger difference in the Kingdom? Of course, that it is totally a hypothetical question, and not ours to answer, but we do have eyes to see the shepherd boy before the man of handsome appearance (David and Saul).
If we are being authentic leaders we do not need to play the game. We are here as servants of the crown, not as champions in a spiritual tournament. Of course, the noisy ones get noticed, but I am more interested in the ones who quietly get on with the business week in, week out.
Wimber taught us that if we want to see healthy churches we need to see the person's character before their gifting. It is something that probably above all else I have taken to heart over the years. I have seen sadly how strong personalities have created weak churches. It is not pretty to see, as often good people get their spirits crushed and lose heart...and sometime lose their faith.
A strong personality does not necessarily equate to a strong godly character.
It might also be a cover up for a whole set of deep insecurities or dare I say a substitute for other pastoral weaknesses. Now, I am not against extrovert leaders per see. (I am not exactly quiet myself.) In fact, church history is full of people who have been loud, full on and highly effective. However, we do need to have room for the introverted leader too. They will bring the reflective, thoughtful balance that we need if we are to encourage other potential leaders to step forward and take risks with their faith.
In the sermon on the mount Jesus talks about letting our light shine before men (and women). Here he is talking about our actions, not just our words (Matt 5:16).
We all have the capacity to create light, albeit artificial, and so therefore we have to make it our aim to try that much harder to be a true light that shines before people which reflects the character of Jesus and causes those around to worship him for all he is.
If you have time, you might like to read this article by Adam McHugh.
Long live the introverted leader. God bless you. We so need you.
ASD
