Let me begin with a disclaimer: the title is a bit tongue-in-cheek. I’m not trying to prove that Moses was an introvert and Aaron was an extrovert. The purpose of the title is simply to highlight how their God-ordained partnership accomplished something neither could have done alone.
That said, Moses’ initial response to God’s call (Exodus 3–4) does resemble what many of us introverts experience when asked to lead: hesitation, resistance, and a preference for obscurity. Moses even says, “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). God, in His graciousness, pairs Moses with Aaron, who is described as confident in speech (Exodus 4:14–16). Moses would speak to Aaron, and Aaron would relay the message to the people. Distinct roles, united purpose.
With that groundwork laid, let’s move on.
I’m writing this on a Saturday afternoon, right in the thick of our youth collective’s annual youth conference (www.yxhconference.com). While hundreds of students buzz around the building and I have to be “on” for most of the weekend, I’ve stolen a few quiet minutes in my office, my introvert’s sanctuary, to reflect on the power of partnering well.
This is our third year running the conference. Back when it started, I literally had an Aaron, Aaron Pardy, a youth pastor in town (now a senior pastor). We never formally discussed roles. We just naturally settled into them. And it highlighted something beautiful: we complemented each other in a way that brought the vision to life.
Aaron is a dreamer. Creative. Big-picture thinker. The kind of guy who tosses out ten ideas before breakfast, most of them brilliant. Me? I like structure. I like boxes, especially the kind I can check off. Where he brought energy and vision, I brought systems and spreadsheets.
When we were preparing for the first conference, Aaron’s enthusiasm was contagious. I worried about attendance, budget, and logistics. He worried about… actually, I don’t think he worried about anything. He dreamed up $1,000 ideas, and I figured out how to pull them off with $100. Together, we were a good team.
Introverts and extroverts need each other. Not to tolerate one another, but to thrive together. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 12: “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’” We each bring different gifts, and when we honour one another’s contributions, we build something far greater than we could alone.
So here’s my challenge: learn to partner well. You were never meant to do it all, so don’t.
1. Look Out
Evaluate your partnerships. Are there team members whose gifts you’re under-utilizing simply because their style is different from yours? I once spoke with a pastor who was incredibly gifted at hospital visitation and walking with grieving families. His extroverted colleagues were shocked: “You like doing that?” But his presence in those “sacred spaces” was powerful. Once his gifting was noticed and affirmed, he was freed to lean into it even more and even helped others grow in that area. That’s a win-win-win.
2. Look Within
A mentor once asked me, “Are you doing anything that you don’t need to be doing?” That question stung a little. Because, as introverts, we often find it easier to just do things ourselves than ask someone else. But in the long run, that stifles both our energy and others’ growth.
Try this: for one or two weeks, track your tasks. Then ask, “Am I doing anything that drains me that someone else would love to do?” Personally, I can’t stand decorating for events. Tablecloths, centrepieces, balloons? Not my thing. But I have a volunteer who lights up for that stuff. I give her a budget and full freedom. It’s a small thing, but it’s a partnership that breathes life into both of us.
Are there people in your orbit who aren’t being fully released into their strengths?
Final Thoughts
Partnering well isn’t just about getting things done; it’s about reflecting the Body of Christ in all its diverse beauty. Whether you’re a Moses looking for an Aaron, or an Aaron supporting a Moses, don’t miss the joy of shared calling. You were made to serve together.
The Introverted Pastor 