Adam S. McHugh

It was a blessing and surprise (!) that our wine s...

2013-05-13T23:44:32.788-07:00

It was a blessing and surprise (!) that our wine sommelier was the author of Introverts in the Church. I had been reflecting on introversion all week and meeting you was validating and hopeful. Thank you for the conversation...I look forward to reading your book and enjoying the Chardonnay.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for sharing ...

2013-03-26T03:50:36.070-07:00

Thank you for your service. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Beautiful writing. I hope the transition to nights without a beeper and Del Taco are depression free.

Thank you for this. It speaks for all our hearts ...

2013-03-04T06:07:12.323-08:00

Thank you for this. It speaks for all our hearts as Hospice chaplains. Go in peace to love and srrve the Lord.+

Beautifully said. God bless.

2013-03-01T08:45:38.605-08:00

Beautifully said. God bless.

this is beautiful. thank you for writing it. more ...

2013-03-01T07:11:04.151-08:00

this is beautiful. thank you for writing it.
more importantly, thank you for you work in a field that most people like to pretend doesn't exist.

Absolutely breathtaking and beutiful and may God b...

2013-02-28T02:38:30.157-08:00

Absolutely breathtaking and beutiful and may God bless you.
Amen x.x.x x x

I'm a pastor. And so I am part way a people pl...

2013-02-23T07:00:45.120-08:00

I'm a pastor. And so I am part way a people pleaser. But I've always loathed that part of me. In some ways trying not to be is like trying to be a recovering alcoholic working as a bartender, or worse, a beer taster. So I get this. All I would say is that we need pastors/leaders who stop living into that superhuman projection and who dare to be authentic and vulnerable. I'm not saying I'm there but I've taken some huge steps. The one thing I have found is that, as scary as it has been to show people "my cards", I found it touched people deeply and that I wasn't alone. And they were glad to see that they were not alone. In fact, the more authentic I am able to be the less alone I feel. Your journey may need to go to some needed separation but I agree that you will always be a minister, simply because of your relentless pursuit to be who you are and not something you are not. I have found 2 books so encouraging and transformational: Brene Browns "Daring Greatly" and Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward." Peace and Courage to you- A fellow PTS grad.

I'm sure you will continue to minister and eve...

2013-02-19T18:02:44.222-08:00

I'm sure you will continue to minister and even, pastor, wherever you go. I thank you for your writings. My small group, introverts all, studied your book a few years ago. Your insight has given me courage to step out in ministry. I'm a Presbyterian elder, liturgical artist, and introvert. You gave understanding that it is okay to be the person who designs "spirituality centers to go" for Lenten Daily prayer and also say I am not committee chair material. I just turned down the umpteenth invitation for a womens retreat weekend, knowing that the all togetherness would create anxiety provoking cravings for alone time. Thank you for the pastoring you have done for countless people you will never meet. I'm sure you will continue to pastor.

Adam, this is beautiful. We need so much more guts...

2013-02-18T08:00:46.040-08:00

Adam, this is beautiful. We need so much more gutsy honesty in the Church (famous last words in a small group at a new-to-me 2K-member congregation..."We really wanna be transparent here"... and I took the bait... whoa!! lol).

Uuum I think I'm being called to *be* a chaplain. I'm female, 55, an ex-addict (17y clean/sober now), found my fiance dead in the shower almost 16y ago... been every major religion, had every common catastrophe (except terminal illness, and hey whatever lol) since childhood. I just can't imagine what other profession God could have been 'working together for my good'. Any advice, suggestions? And how to get started (I was thinking of becoming certified as either an addictions or a grief counselor -- which would be better?) ???

Godspeed on your journey. I can imagine the identity paradigm shift you'll be going through. Think of it as a character in a book; with the Lord's help, write the sequel. :)

-Gina D, Albany NY area

I left 10 years ago. I didn't know how depend...

2013-02-16T17:17:22.633-08:00

I left 10 years ago. I didn't know how dependent I become on being the center of attention until I wasn't anymore. Best of luck and blessings on the journey

Adam, I found this post through Jamie the Very Wor...

2013-02-16T15:26:01.090-08:00

Adam, I found this post through Jamie the Very Worst Missionary. Let me say, I so appreciated your words and self-reflection. It takes courage and I pray you can keep being more and more vulnerable and authentically you, and find the safe people to encourage and left you up along the way. Your post reminds me of Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly, all about vulnerability and connectedness (no doubt you've heard of it). Anyway, thanks. I'm blessed by your words and wish you all the relational best.

Love this. So blatantly real and transparent and s...

2013-02-16T13:03:11.942-08:00

Love this. So blatantly real and transparent and so close to many. I don't know you but I am blessed/held accountable by your words!

Ewwwwww.

2013-02-01T12:16:20.669-08:00

Ewwwwww.

The 90 year old men at the nursing homes I visited...

2013-02-01T11:41:43.160-08:00

The 90 year old men at the nursing homes I visited always asked me to kiss them. I'll take your example over mine.

And seriously, the world needs your book. Looking forward to reading it!

This is simply wonderful - thank you, Cynthia; I n...

2013-02-01T10:28:24.281-08:00

This is simply wonderful - thank you, Cynthia; I needed to read these words today!

Thank you for your book, "Introverts in the C...

2013-01-31T20:45:52.136-08:00

Thank you for your book, "Introverts in the Church." It has meant a real need in my life in maneuvering through worship, ministry and relationships. Blessings,

I'm happy you're back! Love hearing these ...

2013-01-31T08:26:09.410-08:00

I'm happy you're back! Love hearing these updates and possible new directions. You know I'll be all over a retreat center for spiritual direction and wine education. I can't wait to read book #2! I'm a huge proponent of listening well and helping people figure out what that looks like.

I like the new layout! Glad to be reading your wri...

2013-01-30T16:31:53.190-08:00

I like the new layout!
Glad to be reading your writing again Adam!

Welcome back! Just in time to settle in before pi...

2013-01-30T09:25:07.036-08:00

Welcome back! Just in time to settle in before pitchers and catchers report!

"Wine has taken me deep into the history of t...

2013-01-30T09:22:57.417-08:00

"Wine has taken me deep into the history of the Christian tradition, through current liturgical practice to medieval monasteries all the way back to the rich symbolism of wine in early Christianity and Judaism and other ancient cultures."

oooh that has to be interesting. I think you need posts about that.

And hurray for Disqus. So glad you're back blogging!

Have missed you...looking forward to reading your ...

2013-01-30T09:21:56.648-08:00

Have missed you...looking forward to reading your insights and observation once again. Blessings on those last chapters in your book on listening. This is something we "I"s excel in but don't always value in ourselves, thinking we have to be witty and outspoken in conversations. Thanks for telling us clearly what we often suspect, but need to hear affirmed. Sail on! Sail on!

Welcome back!

2013-01-30T06:41:51.544-08:00

Welcome back!

"I won't devote much time to whatever con...

2013-01-30T06:07:42.643-08:00

"I won't devote much time to whatever controversies are roiling in the blogosphere, since those exhaust me."

Which is why I show up here. :-)

Glad to see you're back. :)

2013-01-30T04:44:25.876-08:00

Glad to see you're back. :)

Very glad to see you back! I love wine also and am...

2013-01-30T04:24:20.927-08:00

Very glad to see you back! I love wine also and am looking forward to your new book. I think wine can be very therapeutic for an introvert after a day or more of too many extrovert activities. It calms the buzz inside, if that makes sense.