Steps To Seeking Your Spiritual Gift(s)
by Pastor D.L. Richardson | October 6, 2009
Have you ever wondered why so may are unemployed in God's House? Have you ever wondered why so many Christians in the church are parked on the pews rather than serving in ministry? On the other hand, have you wondered why so many Christian serve for a minute and then go AWOL (absent without official leave)? Well, I have and I believe I have discerned why. I am of the persuasion the major reason is because they have not discovered their spiritual gift(s). Many Christians sit, soak, and sour in the pews rather than stand, shine, and serve through ministry participation.
God has gifted every believer with at least one divine God-given ability for the purpose of perfecting the saints, doing the work of the ministry, and edifying the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). Spiritual gifts empower us to do God’s will and God’s work He has assigned to us. Each of us may be unique but yet a part of each other. I need you, and you need me, we are all a part of God’s family. When those in the local congregation sit on what God has given them to help perfect others, then others become unhealthy spiritually in that congregation. Remember, your gift was given to edify others, to perfect others, to build up others, so we together can do the work of the ministry.
May I propose four steps for saints in seeking your spiritual gift(s): through examination, exploration, experimentation, and evaluation.* Examination for possibilities – a spiritual gift questionnaire will help to discover areas of ministry where your heart is attached. Many can be taken online.
* Explore the possibilities — review all the ministry opportunities in your local congregation and consider what spiritual gifts are needed to do each ministry. The ones that match the gifts you have are possibilities for you.
* Experiment with the gifts — don’t be afraid to jump in and try something. Do it on a trial basis (perhaps 1-3 months) working with someone presently involved in that ministry. If it isn’t a match, step away from that assignment and try another. “If it don’t fit don’t force it” regardless of how you may be encouraged to do it by others, even by the pastor.
* Evaluate your effectiveness — Get feedback from those who observe you or those who are the benefactors of your ministry. Evaluate how your spiritual walk is growing as you “labor in love” for our Lord.
Warning! These steps may reveal you are working in an area where you are not spiritual gifted! If this is the case, what will you do? Surely you won’t continue to operate outside the will of God for your life.
I believe these four steps along with the preaching and teaching of God’s Word on spiritual gifts will cause many in the body of Christ to make the move from membership on the pew to ministry participation and others will make the move from doing a good work to doing God’s work. Remember, I need you, you need me, we are all a part of God’s family!