Shared Gifts/Abilities Equal Effective Ministry
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me recognize what makes for a successful ministry work group. Amen
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
REFLECT:
The Corinthian Church was very dysfunctional and Paul in chapter 12 is trying to get them to work together. He wants them to understand that if they are going to accomplish ministry, they must work together using their various gifts and abilities to be effective. Paul and Barnabas are prime examples of a team God assembled who were opposites in gifts and personalities. Barnabas was known as the encourager and peacemaker (Acts 9:26-28). Paul on the other hand was zealous for the ministry and was focused on accomplishing the task of spreading the Gospel. He did not have the time to smooth the path for someone else. Together they were quite successful.
Effective ministry teams need a wide variety of skills and abilities to be successful in spreading the Gospel. One of the most successful pastors I know realized this and assembled a team with divergent skills. He knew he was a visionary “big picture” pastor who could preach the Word, but he was not good at detail, shepherding, and other aspects needed for moving the church forward. His staff reflected the gifts and abilities in which he was deficient. Churches and Christian groups must follow Paul’s instructions in this Scripture if they are going to be effective in ministry.
APPLY:
If we are going to be successful in ministry, we need to know what our skills and weaknesses are and team with others who provide the skills and abilities that support our weak areas.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, help me find the right person to support my skill weakness as we work to spread the Gospel. Amen