Cool Spring Baptist Church Spiritual Gifts and Serving

SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND SERVING

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
- Romans 12:6-8

The Bible tells us that we all have at least one Spiritual Gift - a talent given to believers of Christ to be exercised for the up-building of the church, never for selfish or personal use. It is our duty to seek out our Spiritual Gifts, and place them into action through service in the church. This section discusses different types of Spiritual Gifts, and into what service opportunities that they may be applied in the church.

Spiritual Gifts and our Own Personal Ministry
God equips every believer with at least one special ability, or spiritual gift, to be directed by the Holy Spirit in the up building of the church. The Bible identifies these gifts primarily in three letters of Paul:

Additional spiritual gifts are identified in 1 Corinthians 14: 25-33 and in 1 Peter 4: 9-11. It is up to us to identify our spiritual gifts. Cool Spring has councilors who can aid in the determination of our gifts. The taking of a Spiritual Gifts Analysis test, also available from the church, can further pinpoint our gifts. Finally, self-reflection and prayer will reveal to us our unique gifts.

The online devotional "A Member of the Team" has links to a variety of Spiritual Gifts Analysis tests which can be taken online.

Once our spiritual gifts are revealed to us, we are to determine how we can best place these gifts into service for the church. By taking our spiritual gifts and meshing them with our own talents, background, and personality, we can discover our own personal ministry, as planned by God. Finally, we need to place this ministry into action.

Click Here to View Opportunities of Service at Cool Spring

EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is the gift of communicating God's word with power and conviction, as in inspired preaching.

Serving
The gift of serving involves behind-the-scenes work that supports the overall functioning of the church. Practical needs of the church are recognized and met with joy.

Teaching
The gift of teaching is the ability to comprehend and effectively communicate and explain God's word to others, so that they may understand it clearly.

Exhortation
Exhortation is the ability to counsel others to become their best in God's kingdom. This is through encouragement, comfort, inspiration, and guidance.

Giving
Those with the gift of giving have the ability to understand the financial needs of the church and and related missions. Those needs are then met by generous and sacrificial contributions.

Leadership
The gift of leadership is the ability to understand God's purpose for a group of believers, and then motivating others to fulfill those goals.

Mercy
The gift of mercy involves providing practical support to meet the needs of others with sincere compassion. Often those in need are undeserving or in crisis.

Wisdom
Those with the gift of wisdom gain divine insight and understanding into the application of biblical truths to everyday situations.

Knowledge
Those with the gift of knowledge have the ability to gain deep insight into God's word through study and research.

Faith
Those with the gift of faith are able to understand God's purpose in a situation, and trust in God's power and wisdom to accomplish that purpose.

Discernment
Discernment is the ability to distinguish between true teachings or actions of God from those originating from man or Satan.

Apostleship
Those with the gift of apostleship are able to adapt to a different culture in order to share God's word.

Administration
The gift of administration is the ability to organize the gifts and talents of other Christians and resources to meet specific goals.

Evangelism
Those with the gift of evangelism are able to clearly and effectively introduce Jesus Christ to a group of non- believers. They share the gospel effectively with those who are not yet Christians.

Shepherding
Those with the gift of shepherding care for a group of Christians through guidance, nurturing, and protection. They take the responsibility of the spiritual growth of their group.

Hospitality
The gift of hospitality is the ability to welcome groups or individuals into one's home for fellowship, lodging, food, etc.

Intercession
Intercession is the ability to pray with exceptional perseverance and frequency. The result is that answers to prayer are experienced in a remarkable way.

Music
Those with the gift of music use music to communicate God's love and word effectively. One shares his relationship with God through music, leading others to worship God.