Gifts

We recently dove into a Spiritual Gifts Inventory during a Sunday morning worship.  I’m not sure what people expected before taking the inventory, other than many were confused at what such a thing is and how it would be used.  Would this be another relatively useless “time and talent” sheet we’re so fond of in organized churches?  Maybe it would be something cleverly used to get me to sign up for something, like a committee.  (Good God!  Who needs another committee meeting!)

Using an inventory in worship seemed like a risky thing to do.  Yet if we asked people to come to designated times, my guess is three or four people out of 4000 would have shown up.  Besides, to discover, claim and offer our gifts is a powerful act of worship, is it not?  Admittedly, my expectations were kind of low.  Even though we would work through the inventory and score it collectively in the service, how many people would actually do it and turn it in?  100-150 was my best guess.  What a surprise to receive over 350 with more still coming in!  Some were pleasantly surprised at their results, while most remark they feel affirmed in their giftedness.

 God grants a powerful lot of gifts to each.  It’s too common, however, for us to be humble, not brag or flaunt our gifts lest we be seen as braggarts or egotists.  This is a sad development for church communities across the nation.   My hope and prayer is that this first step in claiming our gifts will blossom into a field of ripe service for the kingdom.  It doesn’t argue theology, get caught up in the “who’s saved, who’s lost” debate, or get bogged down in meetings to discuss what we should meet about.  All indications are that a plunge into spiritual gifts becomes the gritty work of sharing a love that transforms and cares for the world.  Here’s to unwrapping the gifts.