List of Spiritual Gifts
| Even though we might
think of our skills, interests, and strengths as natural abilities,
it is God who has given these to us. When we invite Christ to be
the guide of our life, the Lord helps us see how what we once called
natural abilities are really spiritual gifts. In addition to our
natural abilities, the Lord also gives new abilities through the
inner working of the Holy Spirit. These are the building blocks God
uses to accomplish things in the world today.
Below are twenty-three
areas. Use the list to discover the strength of the spiritual gifts
God has given you. The descriptions of the spiritual gifts also
includes scripture references for further study and prayer; as well
as a list of servant-leader functions for the body of Christ to be
healthy, and to function effectively. As you ponder using your gifts
for God's glory you may come up with other functions. Spiritual
gifts can be used in many ways.
Share what you think are
your spiritual gifts with a trusted Christian friend, Pastor,
Spiritual Director, support group or class. Discernment will come
as you listen to the insights of others who can confirm what this
list only suggests.
Spiritual gifts can change
over time and according to the needs of the church or those you are
serving. You may want to make a self assessment again in six months
or a year.
Rejoice in the gifts God
has given you. Humbly work out how to use these gifts to God's
glory. Always serve as one under authority, who is willing to be
accountable to others and to the Lord.
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Administration |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to motivate, direct and inspire God's people in such a
way that they work together to do the Church's work effectively. To
exercise the gift of administration is to assume oversight for the
proper execution of an organization or program (being in charge of
people or things). This gift involves being able to put things
together, tie up all the "loose ends" and get things done, setting a
pattern for others to follow -- by direction, instruction, guidance,
encouragement of example. Adeptness at financing, planning,
organizing, delegating responsibilities and problem solving can be
indications of the gift of administration. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Hebrews 13:7, Judges
3:10, Exodus 18:13-16 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of administration: Ministry Team chairperson, Sunday School
Superintendent, Board member, Trustee, Treasurer, Sunday money
counter, conduct annual audit, head up the stewardship campaign,
Youth Leader, organizing parish outreach efforts, attend meetings,
delegate to conferences, service beyond the local church body such
as, Conference or District committee, Agapé coordinator, organize
receptions, organize a Family Fun Night, coordinate scheduling of
Sunday service participants, heading a task force, community leader |
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Apostle |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to lead, inspire and develop the church of God by
proclamation and the teaching of truth. To exercise the gift of
apostleship is to perceive and accept God's call to lead others in
their spirituality, to be instrumental in acknowledging God's grace
and authority in the life of the church. This gift involves being
able to lead others wisely and compassionately, and training others
in spiritual matters. Apostleship includes a combination of wisdom,
discernment, leadership and teaching. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Matthew 4:18-22. Acts
14:21-23 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of apostleship: Administrative Council member, Sunday School
teacher, neighborhood canvasser, participant in justice causes,
mentoring |
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Caregiver |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit empowers
some of us to willingly bear the burdens of others and help them in
such a way that they can do their tasks more effectively. To
exercise the gift of care giving or helping is to give assistance or
relief from distress where it is needed. This gift involves a
willingness to help others even when the jobs may be messy or
involve getting into close proximity with people who are sick or
distressed. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Matthew 25:34-40, Acts
6:2-4 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of care giving: Greeter, Usher, Youth Leader, Hospitality
ministries, Home Communion Server, visiting the elderly, concerns
of the handicapped, making meals, volunteer work, assisting in
church programs, assisting in outreach programs, working in the
church kitchen or the office, fund-raising, helping others to carry
out their ministries, writing legislators, |
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Craftsmanship |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to use our hands and minds to build up the Kingdom of God
through artistic, creative means. To exercise the gift of
craftsmanship one must have or develop a skill, be it a hobby or a
vocation, and must be willing to share this ability with others
either in finished products or in teaching others to do the skill.
This gift involves any art or craft or skill, from painting to
pottery, to woodwork or weaving, computer skills or photography --
any art or craft that can be used to the glory of God. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Exodus 28:3-4, Jeremiah
18:1-6, Exodus 35:35 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of craftsmanship: Craft workshop leader or participant, care for or
make altar linens, vestment, banners, create visual displays for the
church, Sunday School bulletin boards, Interior decoration of
church, photographs for parish history, layout committee for a
pictorial directory, design t-shirts/sweatshirts for parish, flower
arranging, parish newsletter layout, |
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Discernment |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to discover the will of God. To exercise the gift of
discernment is to distinguish between truth and error, to identify
whether something is of God. This gift requires great wisdom and
prayerfulness. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Proverbs 17:24, Hosea
14:8-9, Acts 5:3-6 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of discernment: Staff Parish Relations Committee, Spiritual
Director, Administrative Council member, Counselor, Pastoral
Caregiver, Hospice volunteer, Chaplain, Contact phone volunteer,
participation in a spiritual discernment group, |
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Evangelist |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to share the Gospel with others in such a way that they
come to know God. To exercise the gift of evangelism is to share
one's faith within and beyond the parish. This gift involves an
unabashed willingness to "be religious" in away that is authentic
and transparent. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Acts 8:26-40 , II
Timothy 4:5 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of evangelism: Evangelism outreach, Inquirers' Class teacher,
Greeter, Usher, class leader, welcoming newcomers, prison ministry,
campus ministry, participation in renewal events, |
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Exhortation |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit empowers
some of us to stand beside other people who are in need and bring
comfort, counsel and encouragement so they feel helped. To exercise
the gift of exhortation is to call forth the best from others. This
gift involves helping others to be more dedicated in living out
their faith, bolstering them up when they are discouraged or
downhearted, challenging them to see the goals to which God calls
them. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Acts 11:23-24, Acts
14:21-22 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of exhortation or encouragement: Hands in Ministry, Ministry Team
leader, Committee chairperson, Pastoral Caregiver, Mentor, Lay
Reader, service projects that focus on justice issues, working
with young people, ministering to clergy, preaching, lay reading,
work with older people or the handicapped, writing letters to those
who need encouragement, prison ministry, |
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Faith |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit provides
some of us with extraordinary confidence in God's promises, power,
and presence so that they can take heroic stands for the future of
God's work in the church. This gift involves a healthy prayer life,
sensitivity to the will of God, and a firm trust that God will come
through, even when there is no concrete evidence. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Hebrews 11 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of faith: Bible Study participant, Tithing, Prayer Circle,
Stewardship Committee, Administrative Council member, Building
Committee member, social justice ministries, supporter of church
projects and ministries, |
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Giving |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to offer their energies, abilities and material resources
for the work of the church with exceptional willingness,
cheerfulness and generosity. To exercise the gift of giving one
operates out of a spirit of selflessness, requiring no recognition
or reward for their giving. This gift involves freely offering one's
time, energy, talent, skills, material possessions and money. |
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Scripture
Readings |
2 Corinthians 8:1-5,
Matthew 6:1-4 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of giving: Tithing, Stewardship Committee, providing flowers for
services, providing Christmas gifts, participating in parish
programs and projects, capital fund raising, serving meals,
hospitality ministries, supplying food, contributing to special
appeals, |
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Healing |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit leads
some of us to share in restoring the sick. To exercise the gift of
healing is to pray not necessarily for cure but for God's help for
the sufferer, that something of good may come out of the distress.
This gift involves a healthy prayer life, an unshakable confidence
in God's desire and power to provide courage in suffering, and
wellness of spirit regardless of the condition of the body or mind. |
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Scripture
Readings |
James 5:13-16, Luke 9:1-2
, II Kings 5:1-3, 9-14 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of healing: Pastoral Caregiver, Prayer Chain member, participate in
the healing ministry of the church, member of the Order of Saint
Luke, visit the sick, visit in hospitals, one-on-one intercessory
prayer, |
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Hospitality |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to willingly open our homes and offer lodging, food, and
fellowship cheerfully to other people. A concern for the comfort of
others may be a manifestation of the gift of hospitality. This gift
involves having a knack for making people feel at ease, enjoying
being in the presence of strangers, being willing to offer one's
home as ministry. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Hebrews 13:1-2, Genesis
18:1-8 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of hospitality: Hospitality ministry greeting newcomers, Greeter,
Usher, Sunday Coffee host, Casserole Brigade, provide meals, make
Communion Bread, entertaining guests of the parish, host a small
share group, invite new members of the congregation to your home, |
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Intercession |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to pray intensely and for extended periods of time with
great positive effect. The gift of intercession is praying for
others, a vital and important ministry often overlooked as "a
ministry." Evidences of the gift of intercession would be having the
mindset for being instantly in prayer for a person or situation,
having confidence that God acts in response to our prayers, being
patient and persistent in prayer even when change is not evident,
having a continuing sense of responsibility to pray for people and
situations. |
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Scripture
Readings |
1 Thessalonians 3:10-13,
1 Timothy 2:1-2 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of intercession: Prayer Circle member, Mentor, Spiritual Director,
Administrative Council member, pray for effective congregational
worship, private prayer partner, prayer groups, prayer vigils,
praying with others one-on-one, participate in a spiritual
accountability group, |
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Knowledge |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to understand in an exceptional way the great truths of
God's Word and to make them relevant to specific situations in the
church and in daily life. To exercise the gift of knowledge, one
enjoys learning, probably from childhood and on into adulthood.
This gift involves knowledge of facts and relationships, of
Scripture and of the tradition of the church, of the lives and
works of church fathers and mothers, but also skill in sharing this
knowledge gracefully. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Ephesians 3:14-19, Hosea
6:6 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of knowledge: Administrative Council member, Preacher, Sunday School
teacher, Bible Study leader, Friend in the Faith mentor, Lay
Speaker, Marriage Encounter leader, Walk to Emmaus leader, attend
studies and conferences, committee chaplain, |
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Mercy |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to feel exceptional empathy and compassion for those who
are weak or suffering so that they devote large amounts of time and
energy to alleviate these conditions. To exercise the gift of mercy
is to relate to others in kindness and compassion. This gift
involves continual readiness to forgive those who have erred,
comfort the bereaved, help those who face a crisis, minister to the
sick, become a peacemaker or offer assistance to those in need. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Luke 10:30-37, Micah 6:8 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of mercy: Pastoral Caregiver, Nursery caregiver or working with
children, Hospice volunteer, calling on lapsed members, prison
ministry, visit the sick or shut ins, AIDS ministry, ministry with
women, ministry with the deaf, ministry among the poor, ministries
that deal with prejudice, justice or race relations, participating
in programs concentrating on social needs, caring for the
disadvantage, comforting the bereaved, food pantry, deliver holiday
food boxes, |
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Missionary |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to minister in a second culture or second community,
whatever other spiritual gifts they have. To exercise the gift of
missions is not to impose one's beliefs on another, but to
faithfully and mutually share what one has learned about God. This
gift involves a willingness to be with and share with people of
different heritage, customs, economic background, experience, or
manner of speaking. It involves the willingness to listen as much as
the need to speak, and an awareness that God loves all people, no
matter what they believe or how they express their beliefs. |
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Scripture
Readings |
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ,
Mark 16:15-20 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of missions: Work Camp or service project participant, Habitat for
Humanity worker, Breezewood Trucker Traveler Ministry volunteer,
Love, Inc. volunteer, Meals on Wheels volunteer, US-2 community
service volunteer, Hispanic ministry, sponsor a refugee family,
prison ministry, migrant worker ministry, foreign missions, |
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Musician |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to praise God through various forms of music and enhance
the worship experience of the local congregation or the church at
large. To exercise the gift of music may involve some skill in
singing or in playing an instrument, but may also include the
ability to select appropriate music for a worship service or parish
event. |
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Scripture
Readings |
1 Corinthians 14:26,
Psalm 98:1, 4-6, Psalm 150:3-6 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of music: Handbells, Choir member, Christmas Cantata, Praise Team
for contemporary-style worship, Great Day of Singing, play an
instrument, song leader, soloist, music planning, |
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Pastor |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to assume responsibility for the spiritual welfare of
groups or individuals within the church. Sometimes this shepherding
gift focus on a series of individuals in a one-on-one relationship
over time. The ordained are not the only ones given the gift of
pastoring. This gift involves using a variety of other gifts to
express the Shepherd's care over time in a wide variety of settings
including worship, pastoral counseling, care giving and leadership
in parish ministries. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Ephesians 4:11, Matthew
18:12-14, John 10:1-30, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-11, |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of pastoring: Lay Speaker, Ministry Team leader, Small Group leader,
Youth Mentor, Pastoral Caregiver, Home Communion Server, Spiritual
Director, Worship Committee member, Lay Reader, Contemporary Worship
team, worship leader in nursing homes, sponsor for new Christians, |
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Deeds of
Power |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit empowers
some of us to accomplish much toward achieving God's will in our
church and community. (In some versions of Scripture this gift is
called the working of miracles.) This gift involves a firm and
faithful relationship with God, courage in the face of adversity,
and a willingness to call on the power of God. |
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Scripture
Readings |
John 14:11-14, Micah 3:8,
Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:5-7 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of power: Administrative Council member, Prayer Circle, one-on-one
prayer partner, prison ministry, ministries of justice in areas of
poverty, hunger, race relations, participating in programs
concentrating on social needs, caring for the disadvantage,
comforting the bereaved, |
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Prophet |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit empowers
some of us to interpret and apply God's revelation in a given
situation. This gift involves a keen sense of the dignity of all
people, a sense of call, a sense of timing, knowledge of Scripture
and the workings of the church. |
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Scripture
Readings |
1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 1
Corinthians 14:30-33a, 1 Corinthians 14:37-40 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of prophesy: Preacher, Counselor, Class Teacher or participant,
Bible Study leader or participant, delegate to Conferences,
ministries of justice, advocacy for the least the last or the lost, |
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Serving |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to willingly share the burdens of others and help them in
such a way that they can do their tasks more effectively. To
exercise the gift of serving is to identify closely with the needs
and problems of others, not providing answers or solutions, but
being willing to work with them, no matter how small or how big the
task may be. This gift involves a willingness to "pitch in" and do
whatever is needed, no matter how detailed or tedious the task. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Galatians 6:1-2,
Philippians 2:3-8 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of serving: Sunday morning arrangements, Lay Reader, Acolyte, Altar
Guild member, Communion Bread maker, Home Communion server,
assistant in worship, providing food, serving meals, supplying the
Food Bank, social ministries, fellowship times, making a visit,
office volunteer, thrift shop volunteer, Meals on Wheels volunteer,
Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Red Cross Blood drive, Crop Walk,
work day or service project participant, gardening or landscape
volunteer, lawn mower, repairs around the church, cleaning the
church, painting, committee member, |
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Teacher |
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Description |
The Holy
Spirit enables some of us to communicate so that others can learn.
To exercise the gift of teaching one effectively imparts information
or proclaims precepts of truth, either vocally, visually or by
example. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Hebrews
5:12-14, Isaiah 28:9-10 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of teaching: Sunday School teacher, Friend in the Faith mentor,
Youth leader, training others as acolytes or lay readers, Rainbow
Center Child Care volunteer, literacy tutor, work with young people,
social ministries involving teaching or training others, |
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Tongues |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit enables
some of us to communicate or to understand in forms or communication
beyond the ordinary. To exercise the gift of tongues is to
communicate in or understand a foreign language or anything (such as
ASL, Braille, art, music and more) other than our own native
language. The gift of Tongues is also expressed by some as a form of
prayer or worship that may be in the form of an unknown ecstatic
language. |
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Scripture
Readings |
Acts 2:5-11, Psalm
104:2b-35 |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of tongues: Hispanic ministry, ministry for the deaf or blind,
ministry in a specialized area, sharing meditations on art, music or
nature, expressing one's faith through art or music, personal
ecstatic prayer, |
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Wisdom |
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Description |
The Holy Spirit helps
some of us understand God's will and can make practical connections
to life, relationsihps, choices, and work. To exercise the gift of
wisdom is to help others to discover the thier own connections with
the wisdom God has given them. Using this gift involves knowledge
of God and of scripture, discernment of God's will, and skill in
analyzing the problems and dilemmas of life along with good
interpersonal skills. |
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Scripture
Readings |
James 3:13-17,
Ecclesiastes 9:13-18, |
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Possible Uses |
Ministries using the gift
of wisdom: Administrative Council member, Ministry Team leader,
Counselor, Spiritual Director, Conference delegate or alternate,
Mentor, Emmaus Team member, Youth leader, Pastoral Caregiver,
Hospice volunteer, Contact volunteer, |
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