Why I Wrote This

The original goal for this research grew from a desire to see if the experience and intuition I had were a broader experience in the Pentecostal church or just an anomaly. As the research progressed, it was obvious that my research here would have to serve as a starting point for more in-depth research in the future.

Really, this is a study of perception; along the way we may learn something about the Pentecostal church, but the end goal was to see how the Pentecostal church is perceived. Before we get to the data, there are two things we need to clarify.

1. Pentecostalism is HUGE

Pentecostalism is an umbrella term that covers hundreds of different denominations and groups. This study is not a study of a particular brand of Pentecostalism or any particular movement. In the study the participants are allowed to interpret the term “Pentecostalism” for themselves—after all, this is about perception. If I was to give a very broad definition I would go with Pentecostal historian Allen Anderson who says, “Pentecostalism is…correctly seen in a much broader context as a movement concerned primarily with the experience of the working of the Holy Spirit and the practice of spiritual gifts.”

2. Introversion is often misunderstood

As with the term “Pentecostalism,” I did not offer any definition for the term, “introvert” in the survey. That being said, I think here it would be helpful to offer some clarification. Most people have an idea of introversion as shyness, social anxiety, or antisocial tendencies.[1] This is in no way a correct assessment of an introverted person.[2] It’s a topic about which the majority of the public seems misinformed—including the church. Marti Olsen Laney, in The Introvert Advantage says that, “We live in a culture that caters to and extols extroverts. We definitively learn that extroversion is the way it should be.”[3] One way to understand introversion and extroversion is to see them as preferences; like left- or right-handedness.[4] We tend to favor one over the other. Those that are right-handed are not completely unable to use their left-hand (or vice versa), in fact it would be difficult to try and go a single day only using one hand. In a similar way introversion and extroversion work in each person.[5] More could be said about introversion, but for now this should offer a solid starting point to continue with.

Study Results [6]

The study was an exploration of the perception the public has of the Pentecostal church. Along with the overall exploration of the public’s perception, the study focuses on how the public viewed the relationship between the Pentecostal church and introverted individuals. Both church-goers and non-church-goers participated in the 9 question online survey with 436 taking it in all.

There was a good spread of representation in the survey with nearly 20 different denominations or traditions represented:

Results indicated that the public perceives the Pentecostal church as being better suited for extroverts than for introverts, with nearly 75% of people saying they see extroverts as being better suited for Pentecostal churches. [7]

Results also show that almost half of all participants (48.84%) believed that Pentecostal churches receives and adapt poorly to introverts in the church.

What Does This Mean For Pentecostalism?

A typical Pentecostal service is very different from other, more liturgical forms of worship. Chris Armstrong—a professor of Church History— gives several “clues” of what a Pentecostal service looks like. He describes the physical signs as, “People fall ‘under the power.’ Congregants stand to prophesy, speak in tongues, or interpret. Arms are raised during prayer and worship…and people danc[ing] in the Spirit”[8].

While Armstrong’s list is stereotypical, it shows a perception of Pentecostalism that seems to be widespread[9] (remember, this is a study of perception). Pentecostalism is much more extroverted in its nature than other traditions—especially in its worship. This may be because, as Ma notes, Pentecostalism came out of an experiential movement, rather than a theological one[10]. Armstrong concludes his description by noting that, “Pentecostalism is nothing if not physical and active.” This does not bode well for introverts. Introverts process information differently than extroverts; the environment needed for internal processing is different. Many contemporary Pentecostal services do not offer the ideal environment for introverts.

Usually church services have both audio and visual effects going on alongside common expressions of worship. In a Pentecostal service, the environment is usually more energetic and the “common expression of worship” is often more animated. Speaking in tongues, prophecy, words of knowledge, etc. may add an additional measure of discomfort to an introvert. It can be overwhelming. Many of the introverts interviewed spoke of the pressure they felt to join into this style of worship. They felt that they were looked down upon or treated as a “second-class Christian” if they did not raise their hands, attend alter-calls, or any number of other outward expressions of worship. For many, these ideas of extroversion being preferred are never explicitly stated, but strongly implied. After all, Acts 1:8 (a verse loved by all Pentecostals) does say that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you… (ESV).” Often this idea of “power” seems to be understood as extroversion.

I don’t suggest that Pentecostal churches change their essential nature, but rather that they take steps to educate themselves on introversion in order to better grasp the potential tensions that may arise. It would also be beneficial to consider the non-essential elements that could harm the growth of introverts in the church.

The problems facing introverts and the church will produce no easy answers—it is a cross-denomination issue, but one that becomes more pronounced in the Pentecostal Church. Both Pentecostals and introverts must come to the table with an acknowledgment of their own imperfection. Both groups are able to be stretched and refined through their mutual interaction. The Pentecostal church must recognize their proclivity towards favoring extroverts. While introverts must realize that their predisposition towards solitude can easily slip into unhealthy seclusion. Pentecostals would do well to play particular focus on the role small groups could play in accommodating introverts. Education may be the biggest area that needs addressing. As long as introversion is seen as an anxiety problem or an anti-social phase there will be no willingness for Pentecostals to welcome introverts to come to the church and keep their introversion. There will only be more stories of introverts being prayed over to be more extroverted.

Christians have long championed the idea that “the Spirit helps [them] in [their] weaknesses. (Romans 8:26, ESV).” Perhaps the same is true of denominations and Christian movement. No movement will be perfect, but if they are willing to acknowledge imperfections and grow in understanding of other peoples in order to have a more effective approach, then perhaps there will be more effective ministry around the world.

Chris Chandler

P.S. If you care to read the full paper I’ve done on this, its been uploaded here.

[1] Laurie Helgoe Ph.D., Introvert Power, (Chicago: Sourcebook, 2013), 7.

[2] An introvert may be shy or have anxiety, but that is not the characteristic that makes them an introvert. What does characterize an introvert will be addressed below

[3] Marti Olsen Laney Ph.D., The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extroverted World (Canada: Workman Publishing Company), 54. Johnathan Raunch, a writer for The Atlantic was not far off when he wrote that introverts are, “among the most misunderstood and aggrieved groups in America, possibly the world.” Jonathan Raunch, “Caring for Your Introvert,” n.p. [cited 15 January 2015]. Online: theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-for-your-introvert/302696/.

[4] Adam S. McHugh, Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture (Illinois: InterVasity Press), 35.

[5] Clinical psychologist Dr. Laurie Helgoe writes that, “There are a few extremely extraverted folk, and a few extreme introverts, while most of us share some extravert and some introvert traits.” Laurie Helgoe Ph.D., “Revenge of the Introvert” n.p. [cited 29 January 2015]. Online psychologytoday.com/articles/201008/revenge-the-introvert.

[6] The full survey results can be found at the end of the page.

[7] 73.54% of participates selected extroverts as being the group more fitting for Pentecostal churches (Table 9). When the data is filter to include only those who responded with having direct experience with Pentecostalism, the results drop slightly to 70% responding with extroverts being more suited for Pentecostal churches. When the results are filtered to include only those who have had no experience with Pentecostalism, there is a rise from the original number of people answering with extroverts being better suited for Pentecostalism (from 73% to 82%). This shows the perception of those outside of the Pentecostal tradition correlating with participants who have had experience with Pentecostalism.

[8] Chris Armstrong, “Embrace Your Inner Pentecostal,” n.p. [cited 19 January 2015] online: christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/september/40.86.htm.

[9] For a more exhaustive look at Pentecostalism, look to Miller and Yamamori’s work, Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement.

[10] Ma, Pentecostal Mission and Global Christianity, 2-3.

Full Study Results

Table 1: Which Christian denomination do you identify with?

Pentecostal/ Charismatic Catholic Baptist Episcopalian/Anglican Non-Denominational Presbyterian Eastern Orthodox 99 95 47 22 18 10 7

Lutheran Church of Christ Church of the Nazarene Methodist N/A or Other[1] Total 6 6 6 6 57 379

Table 2: How Active Are You In Your Religious Group(s)?

None at all Infrequently Somewhat Active Very Active Participating in leadership Total 3.70% (16) 9.24% (40) 21.71% (94) 36.03% (156) 29.33% (127) 433

Table 3: How Much Experience Do You Have With Pentecostalism?

None at All Some Extensive Total 28.01% (121) 40.05% (173) 31.94% (138) 432

Table 4: Do you prefer a church service where you are more engaged with others or left alone?

Engaged With Others Left Alone Total 49.19% (213) 50.81% (220) 433

Table 5: Are you energized primarily from being around/with other people (extroversion) or from within (introversion)?

From Others (Extrovert) From Within (Introvert) Other: Ambivert (Both) Total 128 285 37 450[2]

Table 6: How important to you is quiet time for reflection in a church service?

Not Very Important Somewhat Important Very Important Total 11.89% (51) 34.03% (146) 54.08% (232) 429

Table 7: How comfortable are you with outward expressions of worship in a church service?

Not at All Somewhat Very Total 12.94% (55) 46.12% (198) 40.94 (174) 425

Table 8: How well do you believe Pentecostal churches receive and adapt to introverts in the church?

Poorly Moderately Very Well Total 48.84% (147) 41.86% (126) 9.30% (28) 301

Table 9: Pentecostalism is better suited for which classification?

Extroverts Introverts Total 73.54% (289) 26.46% (104) 393

[1] These were participates who were the only one to represent their denomination/movement (including: 7th Day Adventist, Quaker, Latter Day Saints, Christian Missionary Alliance, Jesuit, Mennonite and Pagan). 57 participants choose not to answer this question.

[2] Some participants answered with one of the two given choices (introvert/extrovert) and also wrote in the “other” section.

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