Now about spiritual gifts . . .

What is Gift-Oriented Ministry?

Gift-oriented ministry is all about helping people match the gifts God has given them with a place to use those gifts either in the church, the community, or individually.

Why should we study spiritual gifts?

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant."
1 Corinthians 12:1

What are spiritual gifts?

Spiritual gifts are divine abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to every individual according to God?s design and grace for the purpose of glorifying God and building others up.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good?The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts: and though all its parts are many, they form one body."
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 & 12

Why should we use them?

• God created us to do so.
  "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
  Psalm 139:13-14
  
  "God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
  
• We use our spiritual gifts in response to God's grace and mercy.
  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
  
• To give God glory and to grow spiritually.
  "My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples." John 15:8
  
• We are to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us.
  "Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God. Those who preach must preach God's messages; those who serve must serve with the strength that God gives them, so that in all things praise may be given to God through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and power forever and ever. Amen."
  1 Peter 4:10-11
  
• For the sake of the body (which includes us).
  "It was [Christ] who gave gifts to people; He appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.Under [Christ's] control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love."
  Ephesians 4:11-12, 16

 

Where can we use our spiritual gifts?

Ask God. It is important to seek God?s guidance in all that we do, including what we do with the time and talents he has entrusted to us.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

What and/or who do you REALLY care about? "Passion is the God-given desire of the heart to make a difference somewhere." (Bruce Bugbee). "Passion is the magnet that will draw us to a particular ministry. Passion can be for people groups like teens, unwed mothers, the blind, newcomers, etc." Passion can be for causes such as world hunger, the environment, or financial stewardship. And passion can even be for certain functions like planning or researching. That is WHERE we will use our gifts. Our gifts will tell us what our role will be in that ministry. For example, if your passion is the homeless and you have the gift of administration, you might oversee a shelter, coordinate volunteer staff, or make sure details of an upcoming fundraiser are taken care of. You are part of a puzzle. Someone else with the gift of teaching might teach the homeless a necessary skill or train volunteer workers. We are all part of the body! No one can do everything on his own!

What is next?  Several Zion staff members are trained as spiritual gift counselors and are ready to assist in helping others identify their spiritual gifts and determine how God can use them to further His Kingdom. Contact a pastor for more information.