Reddit reviews Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture

I just want to point something out real quick both for OP and everyone replying. Introversion is simply a way of managing social energy and processing information internally vs. externally. It is not synonymous with anxiety, depression, and lack of social skills.

For those issues, OP, I do suggest you get help. Talk to someone professional, whom you are paying to unload your junk on. They can help you get a different perspective on things and build social skills. They can also prescribe you medication if necessary for any biochemical contributors to your depression. I say all this because I've been there. Being depressed sucks, especially when you don't have friends. Medication for a time helped.

As far as being an introvert, I would say congratulations - I'm one too! If you haven't yet, try out the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test. It can help you realize more information about yourself - how you process information, make decisions, your priorities, etc. It was very helpful for me. Also check out Introverts in the Church by Adam McHugh and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

I'm ISTJ and studying to be a Catholic priest. I think it would surprise people how many members of the clergy are introverted... and, like you're saying, how much of the vocation is really suited for introverts.

Maybe you've read it, but there's a book written by an introverted Evangelical pastor on introversion and church life (especially as a minister): Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture.

Introverts in the Church

The Introvert Advantage

The Introverts Way - Living a quiet life...

Introvert Power - Why Your Inner Life is Hidden Strength

Networking for People who hate Networking

There you go. Just a few. Read all of these on Kindle.