Spiritual Gifts
Our Leadership Team suggested that we all survey our Spiritual Gifts to more fully become aware of how God has gifted each one of us toward building His Kingdom. This was the site we have chosen to help us identify our individual gifts so we may properly steward them: Spiritual Gifts Test.
More about what they are and how they can be discovered, discerned and stewarded...
The United Church of Christ: Throughout our whole lives we have the opportunity to discover our gifts of ministry. As we listen attentively to God’s call and affirmation, identify our own passions, gifts, and skills, and participate in community where gifts are celebrated and shared, our gifts shape the unique ministry we have as we serve God and God’s people. The process of discovery may involve prayer, community, scripture, nature, solitude, silence, and openness to the gentle nudging of the Spirit. We may be surprised by the Spirit, as well, and discover new and unexpected gifts along our journey.
Discovery takes place all around us and in all types of ways. The discovery of a new song that stirs our hearts, the discovery of a new restaurant that has wonderful food, the discovery of a new author who can make the words on a page come alive in our imagination. The discovery of our gifts of ministry takes place all around us and in many different ways. Pause for a moment and consider how you discovered your own gifts of ministry in the past. Ezekiel 2:1–5; 1 Corinthians 1:1–9
The Evangelical Covenant Church: We help people discover, develop and deploy their spiritual gifts. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:1-8
Definitions of Spiritual Gifts
Administration-The gift of administration is the divine strength or ability to organize multiple tasks and groups of people to accomplish these tasks. Luke 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Apostleship -The gift of apostleship is the divine strength or ability to pioneer new churches and ministries through planting, overseeing, and training. Acts 15:22-35; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:7-10; Ephesians 4:11-14
Craftsmanship -The gift of craftsmanship is the divine strength or ability to plan, build, and work with your hands in construction environments to accomplish multiple ministry applications. Exodus 30:22, 31:3-11; 2 Chronicles 34:9-13; Acts 18:2-3
Discernment -The gift of discernment is the divine strength or ability to spiritually identify falsehood, to distinguish between right and wrong motives and the spiritual forces at work in situations. Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 John 4:1-6
Evangelism - The gift of evangelism is the divine strength or ability to help non-Christians take the necessary steps to becoming a born-again Christian. Acts 8:5-6, 8:26-40, 14:21, 21:8; Ephesians 4:11-14
Exhortation - The gift of exhortation is the divine strength or ability to strengthen, comfort or urge others to action through the written or spoken word and Biblical truth. Acts 14:22; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:24-25
Faith - The gift of faith is the divine strength or ability to believe in God for unseen supernatural results in every arena of life. Acts 11:22-24; Romans 4:18-21; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 11
Giving - The gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give by tithes and offerings for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth. Mark 12:41-44; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:2-7 65
Healing - The gift of healing is the divine strength or ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer, and by the laying-on of hands for the healing of physical, mental and spiritual sickness. Acts 3:1-10, 9:32-35, 28:7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28
Helps - The gift of helps is the divine strength or ability to work in a supportive role for the accomplishment of tasks in Christian ministry with the ability to often see the need before others do. Mark 15:40-41; Acts 9:36; Romans 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Hospitality - The gift of hospitality is the divine strength or ability to create warm, welcoming environments for others in places such as your home, office, or church. Acts 16:14-15; Romans 12:13, 16:23; Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:9
Intercession - The gift of intercession is the divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace, believing for profound results. Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13; James 5:14-16
Word of Knowledge - The gift of knowledge is the divine strength or ability to bring truth to a situation by supernatural revelation. This is often accompanied by a word from God. Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:8; Colossians 2:2-3
Leadership - The gift of leadership is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea. Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17; Hebrews 13:17
Mercy - The gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way. Matthew 9:35-36; Mark 9:41; Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Miracles - The gift of miracles is the divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith, and divine direction. Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-12, 20:7-12; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28
Pastor/Shepherd - The gift of pastor/shepherd is the divine strength or ability to care for the personal needs of others by nurturing and mending life issues. John 10:1-18; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3
Prophecy - The gift of prophecy is the divine strength or ability to communicate God’s truth and heart in a way that calls people to a right relationship with God. Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29; 1 Corinthians 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Service - The gift of serving is the divine strength or ability to do small or great tasks in working for the overall good of the body of Christ. Acts 6:1-7; Romans 12:7; Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 1:16-18; Titus 3:14
Teaching - The gift of teaching is the divine strength or ability to study and learn from the Scriptures primarily to bring understanding and depth to other Christians. Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-14
Tongues (and Interpretation) - The gift of tongues is the divine strength or ability to pray in a heavenly language to encourage your spirit and to commune with God. The gift of tongues is often accompanied by interpretation and should be used appropriately. Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-14
Word of Wisdom - The gift of wisdom is the divine strength or ability to understand and to bring clarity to situations and circumstances often through applying the truths of Scripture in a practical way. Acts 6:3,10; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, 12:8
