Category Archives: Spiritual Gifts – Fit in Ministry

The Apostle Paul painted a picture of Christian community in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. He wrote about how God made the Church to function like a body comprised of many members, each unique and indispensable. This makes us both different and the same. God intends for us to use our varying spiritual gifts for the same purpose, for the common good.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Cor. 12:4-6)

What Enables Us to be Both Different and the Same in the Body of Christ

If we break down 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, we find three ways we are both different and the same.

1. different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4)

The word for gifts is charisma with the root word, charis, meaning grace. We receive our spiritual gifts on the basis of grace (Rom. 12:6) so when we use our gifts, we dispense God’s grace in its various forms (1 Pet. 4:10).

We call them spiritual gifts because the Spirit distributes them as He deems best (1 Cor. 12:11). No one merits the gifts they’ve been given so we have no grounds for comparing or competing with one another.

— Hence, we have different gifts received on the same basis (grace) with the same purpose (to dispense His grace) by the same Spirit.

2. different kinds of service, but the same Lord (1 Cor. 12:5)

If we make a list of spiritual gifts identified in the Word, we find at least twenty unique gifts, with the possibility of more. Having different gifts from one another enables us to serve in varying capacities. Even people with the same spiritual gift could find themselves serving in different ways from each other.

Kyrios means master, the one who decides, often used of Jesus (i.e., the Lord Jesus). He is the Head of the church from whom we get our instructions. We’re not the ones to determine how we serve but rather the Lord.

— Hence, we have different ways of serving, all coming under the direction and coordination of the same Lord. We serve the same Master.

3. different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Cor. 12:6)

The Greek word for work, energeo, from which we get the word energy, suggest putting forth power. As we use our different spiritual gifts, serving in different ways, God brings about distinct effects by His power for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7). It’s not our working so we have no basis for one part elevating itself above the other.

The same God, the One True God (theos), works in all of us. He is sovereign and powerful, a creative God who has every right to use vessels for whatever purpose He chooses (Rom. 9:20-21).

— Hence, though we serve in our differing ways using varying gifts, we are all dependent on the same God to bring the growth as we submit to Him (1 Cor. 3:7-9; Eph. 4:16).

Bottom Line: Unity in Diversity

Though different, we serve in accordance with, because of, and by the same Spirit, Lord, and God. The use of these three names could reference the Trinity at work in the Church. If so, it provides a good illustration for us. Though three distinct (different) Beings, they’re One.

In the Body of Christ members have different kinds of gifts to serve in different ways to bring about different effects. We’re united by the same Spirit, Lord, and God working in and through us for the common good. As such, we can be both different and the same in the Body of Christ. When we embrace our differences, we’ll find unity in diversity.

Many churches have classes about spiritual gifting to help people understand the special divine empowerments God provides to enable them to effectively serve. It’s particularly good when that teaching gets beyond providing definitions to showing the bigger picture of how everybody has a part in the health and growth of the Body (Eph. 4:16).

Looking for a lesson plan to do that? Check out the Everybody Has a Part Curriculum.

We do even better when we help people identify the spiritual gifts they’ve been given. That can be done as part of a class or through other discipleship and/or mentoring efforts.

Looking for a spiritual gifts test?

• Everybody Has a Part Printable Spiritual Gifts Tests Resource
• Online Spiritual Gifts Test

Get Beyond Defining and Labeling Spiritual Gifts to Actually Using Them

Knowing about spiritual gifting and being able to label our gifts is good but it isn’t enough. As a church, we need to plug people into ministry in ways that line up with the spiritual gifts God has given them.

Begin by knowing what spiritual gifts best suit the ministries in your church.

• Need help with that? Check out the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use Resource.

Strategically plan ways to communicate gifting needed for the various ministries and recruit accordingly.

• Include spiritual gifts most suitable as part of a ministry description, particularly useful when recruiting.
• Occasionally hold ministry fairs, distribute handouts with this information, and use any other means of communication.
• Take time for personal consults to help people find their best fit in ministry.

Be intentional in following up with people.

• Confirm that the person is gifted in accordance with test results and serving in a place that truly fits.

We’ll take this time and effort when we grasp God’s design for the Body and His intent for everybody to do their part. It can no longer simply be about filling positions but rather an ongoing emphasis, and even expectation, of serving in accordance with the way God has gifted us. That takes a culture shift.

Whether within the walls or outside of the church building, God intends for us to serve. And, He also instructs us to encourage, or prod, each other to serve.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb. 10:24)

We are still the Church, whether meeting together or not. We’re members of one another who benefit from each other’s use of their spiritual gifts.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:7)

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Cor. 12:26-27)

It only stands to reason that we would “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” in accordance with the gift(s) God has given us.

Examples of Using our Spiritual Gifts to Spur Others on to Serve

Since the last couple of posts have looked at the seven gifts in Romans 12, we’ll continue using those spiritual gifts for examples.

1) prophecy

People with the spiritual gift of prophecy will tend to be the ones to give warning to God’s people not to be slack or idle (1 Thess. 5:14), pointing them to exhortations in God’s Word like Romans 12:11. – “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

2) service

By doing tasks that need to be done, people with the spiritual gift of service can free others up to devote their time in serving more in accordance with how God gifted them.

3) teaching

Someone with the spiritual gift of teaching could provide training for new or different ways of serving to better equip people for ministry. Or, taking a step back, they may begin with teaching about spiritual gifting and God’s design for the Body.

4) exhortation

People with the spiritual gift of exhortation will tend to “encourage the disheartened” (1 Thess. 5:14) who need to see their potential and believe God truly does have purpose for them no matter what the circumstances might be.

5) giving

Serving can require money or other kinds of resources people don’t have so someone with the spiritual gift of giving can bless them with the finances or supplies needed to do the work.

6) leadership

Many people want to serve but don’t know how to begin. Someone with the spiritual gift of leadership can help them see the possibilities and work with them to set goals for getting started.

7) mercy

People with the spiritual gift of mercy want to “help the weak” (1 Thess. 5:14). They can provide the added support someone with some sort of disability, sickness, or age-related issue, need to be able to serve.

This is the kind of impact we can have on each other, to spur each other on in serving, whether inside or outside of the church building walls.

Not sure which gift(s) you might have? – Online Spiritual Gifts Test

Being a faithful steward of the spiritual gifts God has given, begins with using them. Determining how to use them in what have long been ministries within the Church tends to be more obvious than using them in ways we’re not accustomed to, like outside the walls of the church building.

Determining How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts Outside of Church Walls

Since Romans 12 was referenced in the previous post, take time to consider how the seven gifts listed in that passage might be used to either serve the Church remotely or to serve the community. Below you’ll find the main issue to think about in looking for a way to serve. The possibilities could depend on your specific situation, passions of your heart, available resources, and the like. Take time to pray about how God would have you use the spiritual gifts He’s given you.

1) prophecy

Think of platforms that can be used to speak up about what’s biblically right, to help people know what God, in accordance with His Word, expects of them.

2) service

Think of tasks that need to be accomplished, no matter how menial they might seem.

3) teaching

Think of platforms for a more logical, systematic approach to communicating God’s Word.

4) exhortation

Think of ways to come alongside of people with words that build them up.

5) giving

Think of people or ministries in need of financial assistance or other resources.

6) leadership

Think of ministry that needs to be accomplished that can use some oversight to establish goals and develop a vision for accomplishing those goals.

7) mercy

Think of those who are the vulnerable in our churches or society (i.e., elderly, disabled, poor, sick) with needs to be met.

Get a few specific ideas of how each of the above gifts might be used outside of the church walls in the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use. That resource expands the list of gift to include gifts found in other passages of Scripture. The majority of the handbook looks at gifting for 16 broad ministry areas under which most of your church ministries typically fall as well as 27 specific tasks that may need to be accomplished in most of those ministry areas.

Not sure which gift(s) you might have? – Online Spiritual Gifts Test

Often we think of spiritual gifts in terms of ministry within the Church. But,

1) There are ways to serve the Church remotely.
2) There are ways to serve the community.

No Biblical Qualifications Limiting the Use of Spiritual Gifts to Inside or Outside the Church Building Walls

Look at the qualifications for using spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Notice the absence of “where” the gifts can be used.

The emphasis, instead, is on using your gifts:

• if it is serving then serve
• if it is teaching then teach
• if it is to encourage, then give encouragement …

And, we find qualifications on the way you use your gifts:

• If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
• if it is giving, then give generously;
• if it is to lead, do it diligently;
• if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The key? — Use your spiritual gift(s) and do so with the right heart attitude.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)

You’ll find this content in the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use which primarily deals with which spiritual gifts fit 16 broad ministry areas under which most of your church ministries would fall as well as 27 specific tasks that may need to be accomplish in most of those ministry areas.

You may also be interest in:

• the next post: Ways to Use Spiritual Gifts Outside of Church Walls
• online teaching: About Spiritual Gifts
• online assessment: Spiritual Gifts Test
• download: Everybody Has a Part: Getting a Grip on Spiritual Gifts
• download: Finding Your Best Fit in Ministry

The Finding Your Best Fit in Ministry section of this site uses the analogy of a puzzle to describe how to arrive at your ministry profile. By bringing the various pieces of your life together, you’ll begin to see a big picture that gives you an idea of how you might best serve. Sure,

• You can serve anywhere needed simply because you love God.
• You can find and do many tasks that use your spiritual gifts without having a passion to do it.
• You can serve where your heart is drawn in ways that don’t fit your spiritual gifting and feel good about it.
• You can successfully accomplish a task based on the strengths of your personality temperament without being gifted accordingly.
• You can do something well because of past experience in it yet not be drawn to it or gifted for it.

But, think of the difference it would make if you found a way to serve that incorporates all of who you are.

Putting All of Who You Are Into Serving to Find Your Best Fit in Ministry

Each part of who you are affects the other parts and contributes to how God wants to use you. Here is what each part contributes to the way you will serve:

Your walk with God motivates you for ministry.

Learn more:

• How Your Walk with God Fits into Your Ministry Profile (includes list of topics with links to resources to further equip in those aspects of your walk)
• Your Walk with God: An Integral Part

Your spiritual gifts enable you for ministry.

Learn more:

• How Your Spiritual Gifts Fit into Your Ministry Profile (includes links to where you can find help regarding your gifting)
• Spiritual Gifts: A Key Component

Your heart passions give focus to ministry.

Learn more:

• How Your Passions Fit into Your Ministry Profile (includes a list of issues, people, and ministries to which your heart might be drawn with links to further equip in those areas)
• Your Heart Passions: An Important Part

Your personality expresses itself in ministry.

Learn more:

• How Your Personality Fits into Your Ministry Profile (includes resources to help you identify and better understand your temperament)
• Your Personality: A Defining Part

Your life experiences help develop you for ministry.

Learn more:

• How Your Experience Fits into Your Ministry Profile
• Your Life Experiences: A Preparatory Part

Learn what steps to take to bring all these parts together to form your ministry profile, where you might best serve. Go to: Tools for Developing Personalized Ministry Profiles

Even better, order the Finding Your Best Fit in Ministry Download for yourself, or to work through with a group (very low quantity pricing available). This book will help you look at each part individually and then blend them together to identify your ministry profile.