The Essence of the Church – Part 5 [Fit]

As part of our series, Should You Attend Church?, we are examining the Essence of the Church. And so, this article today will examine the final aspect of the Essence of the Church:FIT.

Arguably, one of the most misunderstood and therefore under-invested elements within the Church is the Christian’s fit. I’m not talking about personality or even temperament–while those are part-in-parcel (and even helpful) to each specific individual–but I’m instead referring to spiritual gifting fit. Identifying spiritual gifts in a Christian can be a challenge for many reasons, but four rise to the surface:

Debate over biblical interpretation of spiritual gifts.
- Humans usually avoid conflict, and therefore follow the path of least resistance around this topic by moving past it or being indifferent to it altogether. If you’ve been around the church for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen the identifying-and-teaching-on-spiritual-gifts pendulum swing between over-emphasis and absence.
Church members and church staff can easily get busy and distracted.
- There are simply too many things that pull and tug on us humans today. It’s schedule like sports, hobbies, travel, and/or work, etc. It’s obligations like meeting ministry needs, raising kids, or helping aging parents, etc. It’s emotional things like feelings of failure, anxiety and fear, insecurity, selfishness, and/or apathy.
Investing out of intuition.
- Investing from intuition can be helpful, but it runs the risk of being myopic, selfish, and therefore the building of one’s own kingdom–which misses the point completely.
Investing based primarily on ministry need(s).
- Investing based upon ministry need(s) can also be useful, but it can quickly lead to indifference, ineffectiveness, and therefore burn-out–the last thing desired at the beginning.

So, how should we proceed?

First, let’s lay down two principles:

(+) God-given spiritual gift(s) are primarily for the benefit (think edification) of the body of Christ–the Church.
- Jesus said, “I must leave so that the Helper will come.” Well, the Helper–the Holy Spirit–came, and fills God’s people with power.
(-) God-given spiritual gift(s) are not primarily for your own benefit (think you finding your identity and therefore worth in them).
- Remember, as a Christian, your identify is found in who you are, and not it what you do. The reality is, the Christian is by grace through faith made a new creation by the Spirit of God, adopted into the beloved, redeemed by the blood of Christ, purchased with a price, justified and brought into fellowship with the Creator-God, and one day will be glorified and will eternally walk in fellowship with the Lord.

Second, let’s lay down some principles for Spiritual Gifts*:

The employment of our spiritual gift is not passive, but passionate – it “burns” inside when opportunity presents itself. Ministering to others becomes natural to us and God does a marvelous work through us; yet for us to have a part in His work is a hand-in-glove, comfortable fit.
Spiritual Gifts can be divided into three major categories:
1. Motivational (gift) Romans 12:6-8
  - The work that God does in us–our spiritual drive (motivation)
2. Ministry (grace) Ephesians 4:11-13 and 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
  - The work that God does with us – the employment of our gift (ministry)
3. Manifestation (charisma) 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
  - The work that God does through us – the effect of our ministry to others (manifestation)

What I want to focus on below are specifically the seven motivational aspects of spiritual gifts, because this will be most helpful in you identifying them in your own life. These seven motivational gifts can often be identified by observing various characteristics or tendencies–both positive (heart) and negative (hand).

The Heart of the Issue–Motivational Gifts:

Prophet

(Heart) The prophet is a man of faith. His world is black and white. No grey areas. No hypocrisy. No compromise. He sees the truth, and that’s it, period. He’s passionate. His ambition is to proclaim truth and reveal sin. He is always encouraged with an immediate response and embraces positive feedback, yet often discouraged when there is little response or negative feedback (visual).
(Hand) The prophet has to be real careful to not quickly judge people. His tendency is to classify people by their immediate, apparent response to his proclamation of truth (visual). He doesn’t have a critical spirit, only a critical critique…black and white. His passion is evident, but sometimes lacks compassion–he’s often not “one another” minded. If there does happen to be an area of sin in his life, God often reproves him in severe ways.

Service

(Heart) This guy is a servant, unashamed. He has a spirit of humility about him, no pretense. His ambition is to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs. It seems that God often blesses, or equips, him with good health. He’s out there. He has a good eye (Proverbs 22:9)…working, serving, doing, seeing things that need to be done, meeting needs that need to be met, all without being told. If anything is said to him later about it, it’s not a big deal. His service is often overlooked, not even seen, and rarely appreciated. He’s ok with that. That’s not why he did it. He’s often embarrassed if he’s “recognized” for something he’s done. Let him alone. Love on him. Appreciate him. Once in a while, tell him. But he knows, and that’s just who he is…not a big deal to him.
(Hand) You’ve heard it said that no one minds being a servant until they’re treated like one. That doesn’t apply to this guy – this guy really does enjoy serving others…and rarely has to be reminded. If he does miss opportunity to serve, particularly if perceived as being by his own fault, it just breaks his heart. In order to effectively employ his gift he will require himself to step out of his station in life to a “lower” one in order to be most effective…he does so, willingly. The Holy Spirit simply reminds him.

Teacher

(Heart) This guy is typically a researcher, a reader, diligent, thorough. His ambition is to verify truth through investigation, then share with others. He will sometimes talk too much or too long – but he has a very significant point to make. He’s a great resource to help you look into something, from spiritual truth to a new refrigerator. Regarding counsel, be careful about asking him unless you have time. Though he may seem to major on minors, his accuracy is incredibly dependable. The teacher will help keep the church on target. His heart is to know that he knows the truth of the matter.
(Hand) The teacher is easily “puffed up”. He’s done his research, knows his stuff, has all his ducks-in-a-row, and knows all the answers. When teaching a class, he has an agenda – don’t interrupt. He’s not easily persuaded there may be another complementary or balancing view of his insights, or perhaps a view that completes his thoughts. He can be very narrow, but will receive input from others whom he perceives as appropriate counsel. His research/teaching is often done “out there” (information, doctrine) and not realized “in here” (heart) – external investigation vs internal application – the journey from the head to the heart is sometimes long. The issue defined is that while his desire is to teach others, he often wrestles with being teachable himself; and that, at times, to his own hurt. However that very fight within, once recognized, is what helps him become more effective without…and a teacher becomes a leader.

Exhorter

(Heart) The exhorter is an encourager, a problem-solver. This guy’s world has a lot of grey in it, and that’s fine. He has a unique way of using the grey matter that God has given him to work through the grey issues. He often reads “behind” the lines. He can discern a very practical means to settle complicated issues…often a Scripturally based format to help you get to the bottom line of an item. This guy can come alongside, understand your situation, and then provide appropriate counsel and direction in light of the big picture to help you move forward. More often than not, he’s well acquainted with hard times, those difficulties in life. Things that would knock others out, often serve to strengthen his walk with God. For him, prayer is a first resource, not a last resort – he’s almost always praying. His ambition is to help others develop an eternal perspective through life’s difficulties.
(Hand) As noted earlier, this guy has the capacity to work through life’s grey areas. In doing so, he can often discern the activities that lead to the current situation, and when he perceives that unjust treatment played a part, it breaks his heart. He angers at injustice – the good guys gotta win! Then God reminds him, that “big picture” in mind, is in His hands…and he provides appropriate counsel. He moves forward, hurting with those he’s come alongside, and able to do so effectively because he’s been there, done that, got a t-shirt. He knows that life isn’t fair, but you can be.

Giving

(Heart) The giver keeps things simple in life, and gives liberally. Mr. Practical. His wife sometimes gets so mad at him. This guy will retread his tennis shoes if he can. It’s not that he doesn’t do, it’s just that he doesn’t do fancy. He does little for himself so that he will have ample resources to help others, generously. He has other believer’s needs and welfare in mind and comes alongside practically, meaningfully, and, most often, anonymously. The giver, like the gift of service, has a good eye (Proverbs 22:9). It’s awesome to visit their home, or have lunch with them; you’re treated like a king, with respect and consideration in every way. Unselfish sharing is characteristic of this individual.
(Hand) Mr. Practical is also Mr. Fair. His awareness of the needs of others with his desire to come alongside in meaningful, helpful ways is often conflicted by his desire to do so in a spirit of fairness. While he wants to help someone in a significant manner, yet he’s careful about doing something for someone that he wouldn’t or couldn’t do for another. This wrestling with fairness is often conflicting in the heart of the giver. He wants to do so much, but has limited resources. Then the last thing he would ever want to happen is for someone to hear of what he did for one person, and that cause offense to the other. This helps explain why he does so much anonymously.

Leader

(Heart) The leader is diligent in his accomplishment of the task at hand. However, it seems that this guy often offends others. Doesn’t mean to, but he does. It will often appear that he doesn’t know or even care that he offended someone. He has a job to do, and he’s going to get it done. Those on the sideline are often hit by his wake. But, he sees and understands the big picture, and knows how to get there. Getting it done it his responsibility in life. He can plug the players in and move things forward. He often doesn’t even get involved in the employment of the tasks at hand himself, but steps out of the way, and watches it work–all to the glory of God. His pleasure is observing the life lessons that others are learning as they work through their individual responsibilities. Understand, it probably would not, nor could not, have been done without him. His ambition is to achieve a task, long-range or short-range, through coordination and delegation.
(Hand) So…the leader does have a heart. That’s what he has to wrestle with. Remember, he has a job to do; one that no one else can or will do, at least in his mind. He internally wrestles with how to get the job done, with the least amount of offense. He selects the players at hand and assigns responsibilities for the given tasks, having based those decisions on trying to deter as much “collateral damage” as possible. He has a job to do, and he will get it done…with as much consideration he can give along its course of accomplishment. People vs Project is a real heart issue for him.

Mercy

(Heart) What an enjoyable guy to be around. He’s always cheerful and ready to come alongside. What a guy, with such a heart. He literally can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Where one person would be emotionally wrung out, he finds great pleasure in coming alongside those hurting. He can go hold a newborn and cry tears of joy, then go to the next hospital to visit and pray with the patient and family who’s terminally ill, discussing hospice. He has the biggest heart. His ambition is empathy – he will enter into the feelings of the one hurting and comfort them by bearing some of the pain himself.
(Hand) Oh the heart of the man of mercy. How he hurts for those he comes alongside. He’s angry, ready to take up their cause, to rid their wrongs, to fight their fight, to see more good in life…and God gently gets his attention. Then…he weeps with those who weep, and comes alongside. The issues of the heart of the man of mercy regard the very things that break his heart concerning others.

*Adapted from a mentor and friend, Lee Evans.

Putting it all together…

How does one determine their FIT based upon their Spiritual Gift(s)?

Below are Three Practical Ways to Help Determine Spiritual Gift and therefore FIT:

Deliberate experience…this is you “kicking-the-tires” or “exploring passions” in the right sense of the phrases. This isn’t a light-heartedness or a trivial testing, but rather a moving toward a passion you feel for a particular ministry position or responsibility and then you starting to get reps in that particular area. You’re not committing your life to a ministry or position at this point, but you are investing deliberate and prayerful time in a particular ministry or ministry position right where you are–right now. Be faithful, deliberate to know the ends and outs of the position, show up on time, and commit a short-time (6 months or so) to that ministry position or outpost. While you’re doing that you will begin to experience biblical conviction in that particular ministry or position, which leads to the second point…
Biblical conviction…this is your resolve felt (affirming your spiritual gift one way or another) during your deliberate experience within a particular ministry while you’re reading the Scriptures and spending time in prayer. God will work on your heart as you are in His Word and prayer, you will begin to feel peace about the ministry position, and then you should seek a multitude of counselors to affirm this conviction or to guide you another direction.
Counselors’ affirmation…this is a group (elders of your church, close friends, small group, etc.) of people who come alongside you and are able to observe you in action and affirm (or not) that your particular spiritual gifts and FIT are right for a particular ministry position within the Church. They have observed you in a ministry context for a period of time…they have seen you be faithful, and they have an operating opinion either way that provides insight on your decision toward a ministry opportunity.

Remember also:

We live in a fallen world, therefore we need to remember that we will NEVER find our PERFECT FIT until we get to heaven.
We are surrounded by sinful people, therefore we need to remember that we will ALWAYS have difficulties, trials, and tribulations.
We are sinful, therefore we need to remember that we will ALWAYS be dealing with our own insecurities, doubts, fears, and failures.
Finding your FIT is the NOT the ONLY way to be faithful to God in ministry. This is wrong, obviously. There are myriad thousand upon thousands upon millions, etc. faithful people in ministry who have not spent 1 second considering their FIT. On the other hand, we’re living in a unique time period with many overwhelming options. And so, what is being discovered in many circumstances is that focusing on one’s strengths far outweighs time spent bolstering your practical weaknesses. This is intuitive, but it’s also practical. One usually doesn’t ask (in an Olympic training scenario) a shot-putter to stop working on his or her shoulder strength and to begin a training regiment for the marathon. In the same way asking a person bent toward communication and gifted as a teacher to stop spending the majority of their time on public preaching and to instead start spending their time inputting data and working on follow-up spreadsheets from the previous week’s church services.
Ministry or your position in ministry will be easy. This is wrong, obviously. We can’t escape difficulty, and there is no utopia this side of heaven.
Finding your FIT won’t require you to be a living sacrifice. This is wrong, obviously. Daily you will have to die to yourself. Daily you will face your sin, the sin of others, and the brokenness of the world, and therefore you will have to die to self!
Finding your FIT won’t require you to trust God. This is wrong, obviously. Daily you will have to trust God. Just because you find a ministry FIT, and you begin to invest your life into your responsibilities that doesn’t mean that you aren’t still having to trust God. Every day you have to trust God, and trust Him to be strong through you.
Ministry won’t require that you be stretched, uncomfortable, and in daily need. This is wrong, obviously. Because you will always be called to do more than you thought you could do or were capable of doing! Is it possible to find your FIT, but to still be stretched, to be uncomfortable, to even doubt while you are operating within your ministry context? Of course.
You have ARRIVED! Functioning or operating in your FIT within a ministry or position doesn’t mean that you can now take it easy and not continue the oftentimes laborious and wearisome tasks associated with ministering to people.
You won’t burnout! Some of my closest mentors have faced burnout in ministry doing the very things they love and were created to do. Balance, rest, retreat, reflection, and wisdom are always needed while functioning within a ministry.

CONCLUSION:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
“Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17

Each spiritual gift is perfect and is graced to us by God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Each gift bestowed is marvelous and has enormous potential for good in ministry in the lives of others unto the glory of God. Each individual possesses a spiritual gift…yet the capacity for weakness or misuse in ministry employing their gift rests in the heart of sinful man–that very same heart within which lies the perfect gift.

Invest wisely…invest thoughtfully…invest yourself in your church biblically.

— May 24, 2019