Our Spiritual Giftedness

Last Sunday, twenty-one adults (including two teenagers) gathered in our fellowship hall to learn about, discuss, and discover their spiritual giftedness.  This was the culmination of a sermon series on that topic, and my pastor’s heart was very glad by the strong turnout and even stronger discussion we had at this “Spiritual Gifts Workshop.”  I’d like to share a few thoughts with you about the general make-up of our congregation.  (As a reminder, if you were not able to attend the workshop, please see me sometime, and we can work on discovering your spiritual gifts together!)

Our survey identified two kinds of spiritual gifts:  “working gifts,” which are gifts that we are currently using in active ministry, and “waiting gifts,” which are gifts that may need more development – or the right opportunity – before we put them into use as well.

Among the 21 people at the workshop, our top three “working gifts” were service, giving, and faith.  Service has to do with tending to practical needs that help build up the body of Christ.  Giving involves supporting the Lord’s work through generous and joyful contributions of material goods – financial and otherwise.  Faith is a gift which allows us to see what God wants and to be certain that he will accomplish it in response to prayer.

Does that sound like the Mt. Haley congregation you know?  It does to me!  I believe we are, indeed, very strong in these three areas.  The next question, then, is this:  “So what?”  How do we put these gifts to work as a congregation?  Our frequent love offerings for various ministry groups is a start; our support of different local Christian ministries each quarter is another good thing.  Let’s be thinking about how we can continue to develop our strengths as a congregation, even as we do the same individually.

On the other side of the coin, our three strongest “waiting gifts” – again, among the 21 people present at the workshop – are discernment, encouragement, and hospitality.  Discernment means the ability to distinguish between truth and error, especially when it comes to matters of faith.  Encouragement is the gift that enables us to motivate others to live practical Christian lives.  Hospitality has to do with welcoming and graciously serving guests or strangers.

Many individuals in our congregation are “waiting” to put these gifts into action.  How can we be more actively discerning, encouraging, and hospitable in our church and in our local community?  What would it look like if we were to grow in discipleship and outreach, intentionally paying attention to a development of these three “waiting gifts”?  Let’s discuss these things together as we serve in the kingdom of God in this particular place, at this particular time.

–Pastor David

Old friends
photo by E>mar

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to catch up with an “old friend.”  Now, before you stop me and say, “Pastor David, how could you have an old friend?  You’re not old enough!” – maybe you can just grant me this one.  Ashley and I were good friends in college, from which we graduated ten whole years ago.  Now that we are both married and that she and her husband have just had their first child, I appreciated the opportunity to catch up with them while they were in the area.

There is something refreshing about old friendships.  People who have known us for a significant period of time, have seen us change and grow, and have watched us make important life decisions:  these people can provide a stabilizing presence in our lives.  When I spend time with Ashley, I am reminded that I have been on a journey of faith for a long time, and my life experiences form one cohesive unit.  I am one person, although I have had many different kinds of experiences.  The presence of a long-term friend helps me remember this truth.

God, like old friends, has been present in our lives for quite some time.  Unlike old friends, God has been present since the very beginning – and even before that.  If our lives are to make any sense at all, perhaps we should find meaning for our lives in our relationship with the one who has known us from our earliest days.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13 NIV)

Perhaps your relationship with God is very old, from your perspective.  Maybe you have known the Lord for most, if not all, of your life.  Give thanks for this great saving friendship that you have with the Creator of the universe!

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

Or perhaps this talk of friendship with God seems new, strange, or altogether foreign to you.  Take a moment to think about the value and meaning that could be added to your life through an intimate friendship with the one who formed you in your mother’s womb.  It’s certainly possible to go through life without such a friendship – just as it is possible to go through life without old human friendships.  But why not trust in the one who makes sense of an otherwise confusing existence?

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Jesus, in Matthew 28:20b)

–Pastor David

What are you reading?
photo by Alexandre Dulaunoy

I have a stack of books in my office that I want to read.  These are great books that have been recommended to me by various people.  For my own personal growth and for my continuing education as pastor of this church, I really do want to read through these books.  The only problem is this:

My stack of books to read grows over time – it doesn’t get smaller!

You might think that I would actually make progress in my reading list, but unfortunately there are more books out there than anyone could ever read.  By the time I finish reading one book, three or four more have been recommended to me.  So many good Christian authors, especially in recent years, have written about the life of discipleship, obedience to Christ, faithfulness to God, church-related topics, and so forth.  What are we supposed to do?

It’s at times like these that I remember one particular Bible verse:

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.  (Ecclesiastes 12:12b NIV)

This was a favorite verse for me in seminary, because it seemed like all I did was read books in school.  But my seminary friends and I always quoted this verse to each other tongue-in-cheek.  It really is a blessing to have access to so many different perspectives, authors, and ways of thinking about following Jesus Christ.

On my reading list right now are several books.  “You Lost Me” by David Kinnaman explores why young people who have been raised in the church are leaving it now that they are adults.  “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan is a book about our lack of emphasis on the Holy Spirit in our churches and our lives.  “10 People Every Christian Should Know” by Warren Wiersbe summarizes the lives and teachings of ten important Christian leaders from the past three centuries.  And that’s just scratching the surface.

What’s on your reading list?  Do you have a book or two handy (in addition to the Bible) that you are reading to help you along in your walk of discipleship?  Are you sharing your books with your friends and family?

If you don’t have anything to read that will help you grow in your faith, come talk with me!  I would be happy to share my books or the church’s books with you.  We have more than enough for everyone to use and to learn from!

–Pastor David