Romans 12:6-8 KJV
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
This passage is in the context of a local church body. God has given each of us different gifts and has given them to us in differing measures.
Those gifts are
Prophesy - the gift of preaching
Ministry - the gift of serving
Teaching - the gift of explaining
Exhortation - the gift of encouragement
Giving - the gift of benevolence
Ruling - the gift of leadership
Mercy - the gift of compassion
I suspect that these seven gifts compose all that is necessary for the church to function in a healthy way. It is probable (at least when we consider our experience) that most Christians have a combination of these gifts with perhaps one gift that stands out the strongest. A church could do worse than to make these seven gifts also the seven ministries of the church. How much might we accomplish for the cause of Christ if we focused on doing what the Lord has specifically outfitted Christians to do?
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
This passage is in the context of a local church body. God has given each of us different gifts and has given them to us in differing measures.
Those gifts are
Prophesy - the gift of preaching
Ministry - the gift of serving
Teaching - the gift of explaining
Exhortation - the gift of encouragement
Giving - the gift of benevolence
Ruling - the gift of leadership
Mercy - the gift of compassion
I suspect that these seven gifts compose all that is necessary for the church to function in a healthy way. It is probable (at least when we consider our experience) that most Christians have a combination of these gifts with perhaps one gift that stands out the strongest. A church could do worse than to make these seven gifts also the seven ministries of the church. How much might we accomplish for the cause of Christ if we focused on doing what the Lord has specifically outfitted Christians to do?
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