Subscribe to Every Post:During these last several posts I have been writing about the different ways God spoke to me during my sabbatical time away. Today I will give a reflection in the ministry arena.
One of the things I wanted to do during my time away is ask the question, “What are the primary gifts/abilities God has given me, and how can I be the best steward of those gifts during my next season of ministry?” You would think after 14 years of full-time ministry that should be a no-brainer. However, it is always good to take a step back, ask others, and re-evaluate.
In my job I wear a lot of hats. I can do several things well, and there are several things I don’t do too well. What has God most wired and gifted me to do in the church and in the world to advance his kingdom?
There are several passages in Scripture that give lists of ways God gifts his people to serve him. Some gifts are serving gifts (mercy, encouragement, helps, etc.) and others are equipping gifts (helping other people use their gifts). There is a list of equipping gifts found in Ephesians 4:11 (teaching, prophetic, evangelistic, apostolic, pastoral). Some may see this list as roles and positions, but I believe they are gifts, and so do many scholars that I respect. I only see two positions or offices in the church: elder and deacon. Incidentally, that is why I don’t think there is such a thing as the office or position of pastor; rather, it is is a gift (but that is for a different discussion).
Anyway, based on the feedback I have received from others, gift tests I have taken, and the confirmation of my own evaluation, I think my primary gift is in the apostolic arena within the equipping and leadership gifts. Of course, there are no apostles today like there were in Jesus’ day. Those were special and unique positions that will never be repeated. The apostolic gifting, however, is one who is gifted as a pioneer, vision caster, and one who helps chart new ground for others. Missionaries often have an apostolic gifting.
Call me weird, but I like change, I like trying new endeavors, I am not afraid of failing or doing things in an unconventional way, I like leading people to go in uncharted territory. God has given me the ability to see the big picture of a certain vision and know what steps are required to move in that direction. I often see spiritual movements and large scale directions. Every gift has its strengths and weaknesses, as does mine, but this is simply how God has wired me.
For the church to be healthy it needs all the gifts operating. Regarding leadership, this means all the equipping gifts must be present in order to have balance. We need leaders who are also gifted pastorally, who are gifted as teachers, who are gifted prophetically, and who are gifted evangelistically. As Ephesians 4:12 says, this is how the body of Christ is built up and prepared to serve others.
Imagine if you had a church where all the leaders were just one of these equipping gifts. The church would not be balanced. For me, I can function at times pastorally, as a teacher, prophetically, or evangelistically, but I am most effective when I do that within an apostolic framework (in other words when the church is moving in a certain visionary direction).
I am not sure if all this makes sense or not. It may not be easy to grasp, but God has really confirmed this in my personal and ministry life. Clarifying how God has wired and gifted me is so freeing. It helps me understand why there are certain things I really enjoy and certain things that are more work. It also helps me understand what my greatest contribution to the body is and to make sure I am operating effectively in that capacity.
How about you? Do you have clarity regarding the way God has wired and gifted you to advance his kingdom in his church and in this world? Are you operating today within that gifting? If not, what steps do you need to take to receive clarity and then to move in this direction?
May we all steward the gifts and abilities God has given us for his glory and his kingdom! No gift is superior or inferior to others. God uses every gift and every person to bring balance, health, and spiritual power.