Culturally, people in the United States are part of a gift giving/receiving culture. We have holidays that center around the giving and receiving of gifts; Christmas, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and of course, birthdays. Imagine what our culture would be like if we gave gifts but nobody ever opened them because they were afraid that the gifts that they received weren't what they wanted. Or worse yet, imagine a culture that received gifts but never used the gifts they were given. Consider a culture where people receive gifts but don’t use them because unwrapping them is too much work, and they are afraid that they might not like the gift. What about a culture where the people had an attitude of it’s better to let others that know what their gift is, use it, and I’ll just enjoy their gift as if it were my own. Unfortunately, many of these "cultures" could describe the church today.
We believe that God gives each believer a spiritual gift and that each person is expected to use that gift for the profit of all members of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:1-7). Christians must move beyond the come and see mentality that has penetrated the church. We must role up our sleeves and get busy using the gifts that God has given us for ministry. We have settled into a mindset that it’s the pastor’s job to do ministry- it’s not, and if the truth were known, it never has been. The command to “Go and make disciples”(Matt.28: 19) was given to all of us. The command to “teach them all that I have commanded you” (Matt.28: 20) was given to all of us. All believers have been given a spiritual gift that they are to use for the encouragement and building up of the body of Christ (the Church).
People often ask me “How do I know what my spiritual gift is?” Well, there are lots of ways of finding out the answer to that question. You could take a spiritual gifts inventory test and that might give you a good idea about what you gift might be, but I think the best way to determine your spiritual gift is to roll up your sleeves and get busy in ministry. If the church has a need that you think interests you or that you think you might be able to help- step up and step out. As you engage in ministry this God given gift will become apparent to those to whom you are ministering. It is true that you may have volunteered to be part of a ministry that doesn't fall within your gifting- that’s ok. We are committed to helping you serve in the areas where you are gifted and interested. We will work with you to help you use your gifts, talents and faith to the best of your ability so that the body of Christ is encouraged, built up and that God is glorified through your service.
Gather and Go
Pastor Dale