Every time I get really sick it always seems to lead me back to my first Love. So more than ever my heart calls out for purpose and passion for service and my Redeemer. I think it should be obvious on social media and most anybody can recognize my heart lead by truth and overcoming. And yes I take the very long road to my desire and heart. So tonight as I was going through different employment options; Pastoral care tugged at my heart and I thought I would inquire and try to expand my credentials, that can only strengthen and help me in any prospective future plans God has designed me for. I was just reflecting on this spiritual gifts assessment provided by The Rock Church that I did 8 years ago. I would really kind of like to get some feedback if possible? What is God up to with me? I desperately want to know because I always seem to hear that voice from the enemy telling me why I am so unqualified. I’ll never forget a quote from a Rebecca St. James concert back around 1998 that I went to: “Jesus doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called” So I am asking my beautiful and truthful friends to help shed some light on my darkness. Thanks!
Prophet/Perceiver
The God-given ability to communicate God’s message in relation to the truth already revealed
(Jude 3). It is not necessarily or even primarily a prediction. Rather, it is done for the purposes
of encouraging, strengthening and comforting (1 Cor. 14:3). These have the ability to perceive
the spiritual needs of others and meet those needs through Scripture.
Characteristics of a Prophet / Perceiver:
1. Able to recognize good and bad and hates what is bad
2. Sees everything clearly not dimly; no foggy or indefinite areas
3. Recognizes character in people, whether good or bad
4. Encourages repentance for the glory of God
5. Is an introvert rather than an extravert
6. Sees the Bible as the foundation for truth
7. Courageously holds to spiritual truths
8. Outspoken
9. Powerful and persuasive speaker
10. Distraught over the sins of others
11. Sees their own shortcomings and those of others
12. Desires to see God’s plans take place
13. Promotes spiritual growth in others
14. Fanatical about integrity
15. Strongly communicates what they perceive
16. Self examiner
17. Opinionated and holds to convictions
18. Holds to a high standard
19. Desperately desires to obey God
Challenges of the Prophet/Perceiver:
1. May be judgmental and upfront
2. Delights in goal accomplishment not forward progress
3. Forcefully pushes others toward spiritual growth
4. Intolerant of other views
5. Struggles with self image
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Small group leader
2. Any type of lay counseling
3. Security at any church function
4. Providing oversight of any ministry function
5. Great mentors and peacemakers
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Server
A server has the God-given ability to recognize a need and administer assistance to others. In
relation to other believers, this releases them to utilize their God-given gifts (e.g. Deacons in
Acts 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:28; and Romans 12:7).
Characteristics of a Server:
1. Willingly meets the needs of others
2. Has a hands on approach
3. Precise and orderly
4. Detail oriented
5. Friendly
6. Has trouble turning others away
7. More interest in others than self
8. More short term orientated than long term
9. Actively expressive rather than verbally expressive
10. Desires appreciation
11. Goes above and beyond what is asked of them
12. Enjoys being helpful
13. High energy level
14. Orderly, does not like clutter
15. Perfectionist
16. Places an importance on serving
17. Would rather do than delegate
18. Supports the leadership
Challenges for the Server
1. Criticizes those who are not serving
2. Helps others to the extent of neglecting personal family
3. So enthusiastic to help, may come across as pushy
4. Does not like to be served
5. Saddened when unappreciated
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Hospitality ministry
2. Children’s ministry
3. Homeless ministry
4. Taking meals to ill or injured
5. Set-up or tear down at special events
7. Serving anywhere, anytime, anyway
8. Construction of any type
9. Maintenance of anything
10. Putting together anything with the hands
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Teacher
The God-given ability to study, research, explain and communicate truth (e.g. Paul and
Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2).
Characteristics of a Teacher:
1. Logical presenter of truth
2. Confirms truth by examining facts
3. Enjoys study and investigation
4. Knows how to do word studies
5. Uses biblical illustrations
6. Detests Scripture used out of context
7. Establishes truth biblically
8. Objective rather than subjective
9. Extensive vocabulary
10. Accurate presenter of truth
11. Tests the information of others
12. Favors teaching over evangelism
13. Starts with Scripture when answering questions
14. Intellectual
15. Disciplined
16. Emotionally stable
17. Has a close circle of friends
18. Strong convictions based on solid research
19. Believes God’s truth leads to life change
Challenges for the Teacher
1. Can neglect application in exchange for information download
2. Slow to accept views of other
3. Prideful due to knowledge
4. May be legalistic and dogmatic
5. Easily distracted by love of new interests
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Small group leader
2. Bible study leader – Men’s ministry, Women’s ministry, Children’s ministry
3. Rock U instructor
4. Research assistant
5. Developer of curriculum
6. Child, youth, teen mentor
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Exhorter
The God-given ability to draw near to individuals in time of need; encouraging and
counseling them accurately with the Word of God; and persuading them to take courage in
the face of something they must do or assuring them to take comfort because of something
that has occurred (E.g. Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27; 11:19-26; and 15:36-41).
Characteristics of a Exhorter:
1. Verbally encouraging
2. Likes to apply the Word rather than investigate it
3. Prefers practical application over theological truth
4. Works best with others
5. Verbally encourages others to excel in ministry
6. Loves to do personal counseling
7. Loves to talk
8. Excels in communication
9. Perceives trials as opportunities for personal growth
10. Has a positive attitude
11. Easily makes decisions
12. Prefers to quickly resolve problems
13. Needs to bounce ideas off others
Challenges for the Exhorter
1. Frequently interrupts others
2. Uses Scripture out of context
3. Out spoken and opinionated
4. Slightly overconfident
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Lay counseling
2. Stephen minister
3. Table facilitator
4. Hospitality ministry
5. Drama ministry
6. Nursing home ministry
7. Homeless Ministry Team
8. Small group leader
9. Anyplace where encouragement is needed
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Giver
The God-given ability to give freely of what God has entrusted to them. This includes giving
time, material goods and financial resources with joy and eagerness and without any “ulterior
motives” that would benefit the giver (E.g. David in I Chronicles 29:1-19).
Characteristics of the Giver:
1. Gives as led by the Spirit
2. Freely and happily gives
3. Often gives anonymously
4. Understands giving is an intricate part of serving
5. Takes pleasure in meeting the needs of others
6. Gives not only quantity but quality
7. Gives to bless and enhance ministries
8. Sees hospitality as a chance to give
9. Financially wise
10. Strongly believes in tithes and offerings
11. Understands that God owns everything
12. Strong business skills
13. Appreciates value
14. Is not gullible
Challenges for the Giver:
1. Tends to be controlling with money
2. Pressures others to be more generous
3. May over commit
4. Uses financial giving as a way out of other requirements
5. Leads others on guilt trips
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Homeless ministry
2. Small group leader
3. Fundraising
4. Any serving opportunity
5. Hospitality ministry
6. Financial counseling ministry Team
7. Support of church special projects (I.E. building)
8. Financially support any ministry
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Leadership/Administration
The God-given ability to lead others in meaningful endeavors which demonstrates personal
care and concern in order to meet the needs of others and encourage their growth (E.g.
fathers in I Tim. 3:4-5; 12).
Characteristics of Leadership / Administration:
1. Motivates others to action
2. Clearly communicates
3. Thrives when given authority
4. Happily receives authority when given
5. Naturally assumes leadership when there is a lack
6. Takes on long-term projects
7. Is a visionary
8. Has good networking abilities
9. Delegates well
10. Takes criticism well
11. Is passionate and enthusiastic
12. Enjoys accomplishing goals
13. Gives credit to others
14. Meets challenges as they arise
15. Is a natural and capable leader
16. Understands the Big picture
17. Discards what does not work keeps what does
18. Enjoys people
19. Dislikes the mundane routine
Challenges for the Leader/Administrator
1. May have trouble dealing with opposition
2. May become callous due to constant criticism
3. Pushes hard to the point of neglecting family
4. Ignores family responsibilities due to love of work
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Small group leader
2. Jr. High ministry
3. High School ministry
4. College ministry
5. Singles ministry
6. Prison ministry
7. Any type of leadership/oversight role
8. Creator of new ministries
9. Coach of Sports ministries
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Mercy/Compassion
The God-given ability to have immediate compassion for those who are suffering
combined with great joy in meeting their needs (E.g. the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-
37).
Characteristics of Mercy/Compassion:
1. Loves to love
2. Searches out the good in people
3. Brings out the good in people
4. Recognizes the spiritual and emotional condition of others
5. Acts out of concern for others
6. Cares for the emotional, spiritual, and physical well being of others
7. Considers others more important than self
8. Chooses words carefully
9. Recognizes the affect words can have
10. Detects insincerity
11. Loves to be thoughtful
12. Is trustworthy
13. Non confrontational
14. Unusually cheerful
15. Thinks with the heart rather than the head
16. Rejoices and/or grieves with others
Challenges for the Mercy/Compassion:
1. Overly sensitive
2. Caring may be misunderstood by the opposite sex
3. Easily takes up others problems that are not their own
4. Thinking with their heart leads to indecision
5. Can be easily hurt by others unintentionally
Places in the church body where this gift could be utilized
1. Small group leader
2. Homeless ministry
3. Counseling ministry
4. Hospitality of any sort
5. Visitation and follow-up
6. Prison ministry
7. Greeters
8. Any type of phone work
9. Children’s ministry
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Keep in mind that oftentimes the Holy Spirit gives us more than one gift which serves to
keep our other gift (gifts) in check or harmonize to create a blended gift that God uses in
unique ways. This is another reason why each and everyone of us has a unique role to play
in the Kingdom even if your gift may seem just like someone else you know!
1. Scripture commands us to minister in many areas whether or not we have the
corresponding spiritual gift. For example Scripture clearly tells us that some have
the following gifts, yet all are to minister in these ways…
Gifts to some Commands to all
Ministering (serving) Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
Exhortation Exhort each other (Hebrews 10:25)
Giving All give (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Teaching Make Disciples (Matthew 28:19)
Showing Mercy Be kind (Ephesians 4:32)
Faith Walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Evangelism All witness (Acts 1:8)
Oftentimes as we are faithful to these commands, we discover our
particular spiritual gift(s).
2. No matter what spiritual gift(s) we have received, the Christian virtue of love
must accompany the exercise of those gifts; otherwise, they will prove unfruitful.
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have
become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and
know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove
mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to
feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits
me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
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CONCLUSION
Your God-given personality, talents, abilities and spiritual gifts all work together to make
you uniquely you!
“Whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so
that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory
and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11
The Difference between Gifts and Talents
Talents have to do with techniques and methods; gifts have to do with spiritual abilities.
Talents depend on natural ability, gifts on spiritual endowment. Talents instruct, inspire, or
entertain on a natural level. However, when a gift is exercised, something supernatural
happens in and through the one who is ministering.
Talent Gift
Source Common grace of the spirit Special grace of the spirit
Time Given Present from natural birth Present from new birth
Nature Natural ability Spiritual endowment
Purpose Instruction, entertainment,
inspiration on a natural level
Spiritual growth of saints,
Christian service
The Rock would like to encourage you to join us in “Boot Camp” where we devote one
whole week on this very topic while offering an extended question and answer time on this
exciting topic. Whatever you do, don’t use any confusion you may have about Spiritual
gifts keep you from engaging in ministry. Where ever God has drawn your interest is a
great indicator of where He wants you to serve and where you will get to see you gift or
gifts in action!
shineb4 