If God designed the Church so it “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16), then we must assume that no matter what spiritual gift(s) you have, you are both needed and important.
Different Functions in the Body of Christ Based on Gifting
What do the circles in this image have in common?
They’re all spiritual gifts, but only 9 of the potential 25 spiritual gifts listed in the Bible.
Within these nine gifts, some have more in common than others.
Some of the spiritual gifts function more as speaking gifts.
teaching
prophecy
exhortation
Some of the spiritual gifts function more as leading gifts.
leadership
administration
pastor
Some of the spiritual gifts function more as serving gifts.
service
helps
hospitality
All Spiritual Gifts Needed for the Body to Properly Function
Even those gifts that have more in common than others, still have distinctions. Use the speaking types of gifts as an example. Those with the gift of teaching will tend to be more systematic in their approach. People with the gift of prophecy will tend to be more assertive in proclaiming “Thus saith the Lord”. Those with the gift of exhortation will tend to be more practical and application oriented. The Body therefore needs all these gifts to function in a balanced and healthy way.
- Leadership types of gifts help provide direction and coordination in the church.
- Speaking types of gifts nurture and build us up.
- Serving types of gifts are like the nuts and bolts in ministry, holding church life together.
The above image purposely mixed the gifts up rather than list each of the same color in a row. When it comes to ministering with our spiritual gifts, no one is better than the other but rather just has a different function. We all work side by side. Everyone is needed and everyone is important.
Help people discover, develop, and use the gifts God has given them to do their part. Click on this link to get help with that: Spiritual Gifts Resources