Spiritual Gifts: We are the Church
I have teenage boys who love Basketball. And at the very beginning of the seasons, they’re eagerly anticipating what position they’re going to have. Will they be a starter or be second string? Will they play small forward or point guard? Think back to a team you participated in. Maybe it was in a board meeting. Or classroom project. Maybe another sport, music or theatre team. What was your role? Did you lead it? Did you take notes? Did you find yourself observing or participating?
I have some really good news. When we become Christ-followers, we are adopted onto Gods team-a family business that revolves around Kingdom work. But that leaves us with a pressing question to answer.
WHAT IS OUR ROLE AND WHAT ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR?
As a Pastors kid (now adult…sort of, 😉 ), I have spent a great deal of time observing and being a part of the inner-workings of church structure. And I’ve had a front row seat to the good, bad and ugly so I know how easy it can be to become fans of the faith and forget we have an equal responsibility to be active participants. We can overlook the hard truths of counting the cost, “take up your cross and deny yourself” portions of becoming a disciple. I get it. Human nature gravitates toward easy. And hitting spiritual cruise-control is even easier. It’s interesting however, that Jesus presents those words almost as a prerequisite to following Him. (Matthew 16) Ouch. But if you have been around the church world long enough, then you’ve likely heard that 20% of the church does the majority of the work. And though each body varies in some degree, that means that nearly 80% of church comes to spectate or perhaps not even that anymore. In a progressive society where churches are moving more toward hired staff, it can create this unspoken “have it your way” menu, where everything is taken care of and we just have to drive in to pick up our order. I often wonder though, could we be missing the mark? Have we allowed ourselves to become spiritual crutches in these church structures instead of being fully united and actually dependent upon one another? Are we failing to do what Paul charges us to do “to equip the saints for the work of the ministry”? (Ephesians 4:12-16) Note there, it doesn’t say “equip those who have gone to seminary school”, or “those who are most qualified.” He says “saints”. That’s us! God’s people.
IS CHURCH A PLACE TO GO OR SOMETHING THAT WE ARE?
In my early 20’s, our former church would do a reoccurring series on Spiritual Gifts. I believe it was “reoccurring” because our leaders put great emphasis on operating in and through all that God designed us to be. During those years of listening, I made note of a few things. The first was that I realized there were many like me, who didn’t know their spiritual gifts. Perhaps some of us who assumed that they were just for the “really spiritual people”. The second observation was that I was seeing mega-burn out in the local church; which made me wonder if we had well-intentioned people, in the wrong spots entirely.
About the time of these observations, I was brought on the team to oversee the ministries and quickly started using my own gifts to strategize and adopt systems I’d seen work in other places. What if we could shift this consumerism model of Sit-Soak-See to Equip. Empower. and Release individuals to activate their unique spiritual DNA and partner with the Creator, in areas in which they were called?
A SOLUTION?
I love well thought out systems but even so-they pail in comparison to a God who has never be confined by anyone or any thing. He is notorious for using the ordinary, least-likely misfits but when or rather if there’s an option, this was a game changer.
BE PLANTED IN A SOIL CONDUCIVE FOR A FRUITFUL YIELD.
As important as it was to know the faces of the people who would come to our church, we wanted to know their spiritual gifts. And more importantly, we wanted them using them. Our strategy was to have individuals take a test and then put results into a database so we could have a visual of how everyone was gifted and be intentional on where we suggested they serve. (or lead!) This is similar to what’s seen in the business world. They just talk in terms of profit margins and would encourage you to invest for a maximum return. My husband is a 3rd generation farmer. And we live in what many consider the “bread basket of America” for the crops grown here in our area(which are primarily soybeans and corn). The rich black dirt is primed for the crops to thrive here. But what if we tried planting something else? Banana Trees. Palm trees. We could certainly give a good try! We know, however, based off generations of toil, that the harvest would not be fruitful. We would waste a lot of time, most of which we don’t have in these short seasonal windows. The harsh winters would create a yield that would be disappointing to say the least. Likewise, in the body of Christ, if we were to take a person with an incredible ability to teach, gather or include and tuck them away somewhere they’re never around people…the yield would not be as beneficial as it could be if we planted them elsewhere.
I’ll leave you a few more questions.
Are you finding yourself a fan of Jesus or are you an active player on His field?
What is your role? (It’s okay if you have no idea)
Perhaps a better question would be what soil are you planted in right now, that you can influence or shape?
Sister, you are the church. For those of you who were like me. Curious. Eager. Filled with wonder at what the Creator God could possibly do with this clay?! You are in good company. And you have been invited to sit at the greatest table on earth. To co-partner with the God of all things, to fulfill His mission on earth: To save and seek the lost. What a privilege and immense responsibility. As you discover the unique wirings and gifts God has given you, I am so excited to hear of the many “ah-ha” moments to come.
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28