Identifying Your Ministry Gifts

Survey and lessons

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ! I am so glad that you have come to this page. Adult Sunday School classes frequently request lessons on Gifts of the Spirit. I can't cover that with any authority here, but can help you identify some of the ministry gifts and aptitudes that you might have. Some of these are "spiritual gifts." I won't use those terms, though, because there are so many "experts" with so many opinions about spiritual gifts that I can't post anything under that title without causing more dissention than anything else. I do not seek to be a stumbling block, but a stepping stone.

That being said, the hunger to understand spiritual gifts is itself a healthy thing and an indication of spiritual growth. The scriptures tell us, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts." (1 Corinthians 14:1a) May you be continuously filled with this desire, and may these materials give you something to consider on your path. We also know that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 4:8), but faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The survey and lessons on these pages explore some of your interests and aptitudes to serve God in your community through the gifts and talents that God has given you.

Surveys are among the tools that can help people understand their gifts and aptitudes. This survey is based on a list of 33 categories, related scriptures, and a review of a number of papers and discussions on the topic. Some areas, such as music, are divided into more than one category (vocal and instrumental). This is to help you find those areas where you can fill a need in the body of the church in your local community. The definition for each category is based on this author's understanding and is as fallible as human nature itself. The survey asks four questions concerning each area in an effort to develop understanding from subjective and objective perspectives.

Let me confess right now--your responses to the survey are collected and saved. Please be assured that your anonymity is safe. In fact, you will not be asked to provide your name, and no efforts are made to discover any names. Your email will be retained if you provide it, but you are not required to provide it. Instead, you will be given an ID number. Your responses will be recorded under your number and analyzed. Statistical information may be available for use with future versions of the survey. The reason for this is simple--this is a learning experience for the author, and the statistical analysis could be helpful to other teachers and leaders, too.

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