In Depth:  Alan Bailyes

Dear en,

Rachel Jones’ article (‘Is this how intro-verts feel when life is normal?’) immediately caught my eye. May I put in a plea that The Good Book Company seriously consider a book on personality types and the implica-tions for how we do church and discipleship? While the issue is not openly addressed in Scripture, it is perhaps implicit. Take, for example, Peter and John and their witness in Acts 3. All the action centres around Peter (the extrovert?) while John (the introvert?) is not reported as saying a word! And if it is indeed the case that behind the Gospel of Mark (fast-moving, action-packed) is Peter, then the contrast with John’s more thought-ful, intimate Gospel is telling. Squeezing introverts into an extrovert mould in terms of worship, fellowship and mission may be doing the gospel a disservice, so a quiet, thoughtful, biblical appraisal may be just the ticket! ; )