The Spirit of Christmas

When it comes to holy day celebrations I love the Old Testament feasts and my family and I have taken time to celebrate them and to teach our children, but Christmas is a time when our whole society stops to celebrate. So we do, too. I love Christmas. Over the years numerous people have asked me about the validity of celebrating Christmas, to which I respond that God can redeem anything, and without Jesus’ coming as a child we would not have had his life example, his sacrificial death, and his resurrection. So I think Christmas has merit. As for the materialism and excess, well, that is up to you. You don't change the holiday by railing about materialism or Roman sun god celebrations. You stop the spirit of materialism in your own house and you put the focus on Jesus.

Since the time our children were small we taught them that Christmas wasn’t about getting stuff, we didn’t make it about a season of coveting, so presents have always been secondary in our house. We sleep in and then we get up and eat a big breakfast together. We spend time reading the scriptures about Jesus’ birth and the passages about the coming of messiah and we sing. Then someone takes a special stocking off the tree that contains my grandmother’s rosary and tells the story of our family heritage of faith. They remind us of the pastors, nuns, church planters, and faithful Christians that make up that heritage of faith. Then we give Jesus a gift (since it is his “birthday”). We tell each other about how we intend to grow in our faith over the next year. When that is all done, sometime around noon we finally get to our presents. We don’t spend a lot of money either. We save up all year, so that we can pay cash for Christmas and we don’t charge anything because it is about Jesus not materialism. We watch each other open every gift. We celebrate with every person and the receiver of the gift hugs the giver after each gift is given. The gifts are mostly practical and it takes a long time for all of that loving and gratefulness to be expressed. That’s why we need that big breakfast! Then we clean-up the tree mess and head to the kitchen to prepare a feast. It's not spectacular but it has put Christ into our Christmas. 


My kids still tell me that Christmas is better at our house than their friends house. They didn’t miss 5 a.m. present grabs; they got the best gift of all, growing up with a Christ-centered Christmas. You don’t need to do what the Hester family does. You make your own traditions. But   let’s be the joy-givers in the holidays, not the joy-killers. Let’s not rail about what isn’t good enough, or what is too materialistic, or too secular. You be the Christmas spirit you want to see in the world around you.  

The Feast of Giving Thanks

As we head into this week of thanksgiving, we often think about being thankful for the things we have. The emphasis is on the material, and then we are surprised that people go out the next day and act so materialistic. Ha! Well, I propose something different. The original intent of thanksgiving. It was not at all about being grateful for stuff. It was a day to say thanks to God for what he had done in their lives. The original thanksgiving was not celebrated in the Americas as a result of surviving the winter. It was a feast in the Old Testament, a time to reflect on the goodness of God, and have fellowship with God. This biblical feast included a time of dining with God in the tabernacle (or temple) grounds. The animal was presented to God as an offering of thanksgiving, then they would have a feast with God is his honor. They literally sat down to eat at God’s table, as God’s guest, and the entire meal was eaten in the presence of God, on his terms, and everything about the meal was holy, and all the attention was on God. Notice I did not say it was formal, or rigid, or stuffy, like a bad religious experience. I said it was holy, meaning set apart from other meals, and God was understood to be present, that they were at his table, enjoying fellowship with him.  It could be done at any time of year, and some did it more than once a year. It included lots of wine and joyful celebration. The people stayed and ate until everything was gone. Sometimes it took several days. Sounds like fun doesn’t it? 

As you head into this thanksgiving, its good to be thankful for our blessings, all of our stuff, but the focus really is not what we have, but who has us. Who do we belong too? Who has given us life? Who invites us into his care? Who is worthy of all our attention? Its called thanksgiving not because of the stuff or the stuffing. Its thanksgiving because it is all about God and the great things he has done. 

Remember & Observe

As we rush toward the holidays, I am reminded that the essence of holiday is holy days. Time and seasons that we set apart from the rest of the calendar to observe and remember. These two elements are key to making these days holy. I often hear people lament the loss of Christmas to commercialism, but I don’t share that concern because I know that my faith and my choices are not controlled by outside forces. My personal experience of these holy days are set and controlled by me. Years ago, Dawn and I made the conscience decision to remember and to observe. A  decision that met lots of resistance from our extended family.  So what do I mean by remember and observe?

By remember I mean to remember what God had done for us through Christ, to remember our heritage of faith handed down to us over the generations of faithful Christ followers in our family, and to remember the price paid by Christians in every generation so that the message of Christ could be transmitted to us. There is a lot to remember. We do this through specific traditions, and stories that we share with one another, and over the years we have handed-off the opportunity to our children to tell those stories back to us. No amount of commercialism has stopped us from doing that. 

By observance I mean that we have put into practice times of reading the Scripture, prayer, and song into our observance of these holy days. We have made sure that no matter how many people come, and no matter what agenda anyone else brings, at our home we observe these practices, and we do not go to anyone else’s home until we have observed our time with God.   

This past week my children thanked me again for our decision not to let what everyone else did determine our holiday celebrations. Turns out they didn't miss the commercialism either. Maybe being like everyone else isn't what it is cracked up to be?

Small Things Done with Great Love

Little things done with great love will change the world. It is a concept borrowed from the life of Mother Teresa; the idea that the little things we do are what make a real impact rather than the big things we do on occasion. It is the idea that the real heroes of our lives are not just those who in moments of bravery act selflessly, but those who act selflessly day-by-day.

In the mundane get-by-world there are a thousand little decisions we make every day about our responses to others. Responses that communicate love and value or communicate disappointment, disillusionment, and dissatisfaction. It is that moment when grace and mercy call us to reflect on the way we disappointment with our own short-comings and to recognize that any grace and mercy we extend is just something we loan because we will inevitably need it back.

Jesus’ example reminds us that he first loved us. That was why he came to give his life as a ransom, a task which first meant living a mortal life in which he died to himself every day on his way to the cross and to perfection. His everyday little deeds made him perfect, that we might be forgiven. See how little deeds done with great love did indeed change the world?    

Well! Aren't We Just So Spiritual

It has become a popular buzz-word like phrase to say: I am a spiritual person not a religious person. When I first heard it I liked the phrase  because the real definition of religion means what we do regularly, and spiritual spoke to me of being a person led by the spirit of God. Sadly, it soon became clear to me that what people really meant was some kind of private warm-fuzzy emotions associated with supernatural events and religious cultures. There is nothing wrong with that except that it really obfuscates (confuses) the subject. (I couldn’t leave that one alone). 

When I said that I was a spiritual person, what I meant was that I was living my life by the Spirit of God rather than something else (religious practice, carnality, etc). The concept of being spiritual meant that I was trying to live my life so that I would be full of love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. These are what the Bible call the evidence of being spiritual or the fruit of the Spirit. The list does not sound very supernatural but the evidence does speak for itself. If you live like that no one will be surprised to find out that you are a spiritual person even if you never talk about supernatural beings or events. 

So what evidence do those around you see of your being a spiritual person? 

The Loads and the Burdens

Many are familiar with the story of the loaves and the fishes but few are acquainted with the loads and the burdens and it may be every bit as important to our spiritual well-being as the miracles but for many of us would be tantamount to food multiplying if they knew this lesson (or at least the multiplication of your time).  What am I talking about? I am talking about healthy boundaries and knowing when to say, yes, and when to say, no. How do we as servant-hearted people know what is healthy service and what is too much?

The answer for us is in Galatians 6, where the Apostle Paul tells us bear one another’s burdens but then he advises but everyone must carry their own load. Its not always that clear to us what the Apostle means because words like burden and load are so fluid in our society. But it goes something like this, loads are the everyday responsibilities that we all need to take care of ourselves. If you do not eat, if you do not get dressed, get up for work or any of those normal activities that everyone has to do, that’s your problem, not mine. On the other hand, if you have suddenly become disabled, had tragedy befall you, or had some kind of crouching burden put on you, the call on the community of Christ is to help you get out from under that overloading burden until it either passes or life can be readjusted to make the new life situation less overwhelming and less crushing.  

Now, when we are helping those whose life has suddenly been crushed by tragedy or sudden illness it may be that the best way we can help is to take care of some of those daily loads that are otherwise normal so that the person in the tragedy can process their burden. So then I can step in and cook meals, run to the grocery store, mow the grass probably easier than I can go to the doctor, go to the lawyer or anything else like that. I come alongside in those moments and I do what I can to ease the weight of the burden. Chances are I cannot fix the problem but I can make it easier for you to get through it. 

So, if your friend, neighbor or family member is crushed by the extremes of life then we are called to bear their burdens just as Christ bore our burdens at Calvary. But if those same persons can’t seem to live without you, I have good news. You are not the Messiah; that would be Jesus Christ, and since he does not rescue them from life’s load, neither should you.

Pan Theology

They just released new statistics that our economy was flat for the first quarter of 2014, and that sent the media into a frenzy. Whose fault is it? Is it the president? Is it congress? Should we blame the Republicans or the Democrats? People are wringing their hands and wondering, what is going to happen to us. Maybe you are one of them. It didn’t take long until the questions started about the end times, the end of the world, and what my view is about them. Actually, I am a bit of a “pan” theologian on the end times. I am convinced that it will all “pan-out” at the end. 

You see, even if Jesus does come back tomorrow I do not even know if I am going to make it to tomorrow. My appointment with Jesus could be today. So I have never put much stock in worrying about the end. Matthew 6.34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Worry is like borrowing trouble. So I decided to stop worrying and do what I knew I was supposed to be doing. When Jesus returns I want him to find me doing is being faithful to my wife, faithful to do my job, faithful to share Christ with my neighbors. I want to be found being faithful. So I try everyday to live in such a way that it does not matter if Jesus comes back today, tomorrow, or in twenty years .My responsibility is to be faithful. Then it wont really matter when he returns. Every picture in the Bible of the final judgment depicts a scene where people are measured by what they do, rather than by what they say they believe. Granted what they have done has grown out of a response to what they believed, but the concern is always that they be found faithfully doing what they were told to do. 

My challenge to you this week, is that you can articulate a great faith by living a great faith, so that whenever you live your last day on the earth that the Father might say to you, Well done, good and faithful servant.  

Success!

One of the most fundamental issues of life is success. How do we define it, how do we achieve it, and how do we measure it. And then, what do we do when we succeed or fail. It is all too easy to over-spiritualize the discussion and to say that we don’t need success or to call it an idol, but the truth is that we all need to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” If God thinks we need to hear that, my bet is that we really do need confirmation and a measure of success. The Psalmist wrote that hope deferred makes the heart sick but a dream realized is a tree of life.

So how do we measure success? Well, Jesus once indicated that his measure for life was to do just what the Father in Heaven was doing. That sounds simple but it is really profound. The measure of Jesus life was to do just what the Father was doing. Now we might be tempted to think, well Jesus doesn’t sack groceries, see patients, or teach school kids math, but a very wise man named Sam Logan once said it this way: Find out what God wants you to do– and do it!

There is nothing more empowering to your life than that. It removes what you are doing, from under the microscope of other people’s opinion and puts us into the place of disciple of Jesus. What every disciple of Jesus needs is to sense that when they lay their head down at the end of the day, they did at work, school, and with friends and family, just what God wanted them to do. That is success. What does God want you to do today?

Too Busy to Really Live?

Its funny how we equate organization with planning. Many of us have well organized lives that are packed with activities. A wise person once said, “Activity suggests a life full of purpose.” The truth is that well organized activity is just busyness, while a life full of purpose is one grounded in people, values, and goals.

What do you value most? Who is most important to you? What are the goals in life that you most desire to achieve? For me those things center around my faith, my family, and my friends. The complicated part for me is that all of those intersect heavily with my work life as a pastor, so I have to be intentional not to let the activity of my job become a replacement for those people and things that I say I value most. What about you?

How does what you value most translate into your daily schedule? What goals are you actually working on in those most important, most valued areas of your life? I have to plan my life according to what I say I value most or what I consider important will get swallowed up in activity. In the words of John Wooden, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” What are you planning?

Servant Leadership

“Servant leadership” has become a catchphrase these days. It is a reaction to the type of leadership that is top-down, heavy-handed and autocratic that most of the world has known from the beginning of time. Human history is full of examples of absolute rule, the deification of monarchs (or at least the doctrine of the “divine right of kings”) and, in recent times, the dynamic and all-powerful CEO.

So to simply talk about leadership leaves many of us anxious about control issues, domineering bosses and, in some cases, outright oppression. That’s why we coin a phrase like servant-leader. Despite its buzzword status, the concept is wholly valid, and there’s a great need to redefine leadership vis-à-vis its importance for the church.  

On the historical world stage, enter Jesus, the Messiah, who came in the name of God. While his followers knew him to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the world did not know him. Instead they scoffed (and still do!) at a Jewish peasant whose life and message was becoming troublesome, turning the idea of leadership on its head. He was a leader, but also a man of the people — some would even say a king — who defied everything they believed about governance, the value of people, tribalism, and sexism.

In contrast to his day, Jesus said we are all created equal. In effect, he said the divisions of race, gender, status, and cultural identity were nothing but sociological constructs. Instead, we are, all of us, created in God’s image, descendants of one mother and one father. And because that’s true, none of us are better than, more entitled to, or inherently more valuable to the Father. Therefore, leadership in God’s economy is the responsibility of those who have influence, rather than a privilege to take advantage of. This new approach turned upside down the assumptions of position and power and privilege that were (and are) the way of most of the world.

Jesus’ radical vision for leadership was best illustrated in Mark 10. One night his disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest. Jesus responded to their squabble this way: “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The strength in Jesus’ words came from the life he had lived in front of them. Jesus’ life was one in which he did not invoke his rights or seek his own privilege or advantage. John Wimber, speaking on the subject of servant leadership, once said, “If there is anything that characterizes Jesus, [it] is the willingness to take a lowly, meek, and subservient role and place.”

There is nowhere in the Bible where Jesus ever demands respect or a place of honor. Instead, we read his advice to his disciples in Luke 14 to be humble, not taking a seat of honor for oneself but rather to let the host decide who gets the seat of honor. And if the host so desires to exalt you by moving you to the seat of honor, then you will be exalted, but if you have foolishly taken that seat, the groom might select another person for the seat of honor, which would lead to your humiliation at being asked to move.

Jesus’ model for leadership was not just serving but also humility. 

Ten years ago I shared the principle of servant leadership with a group of pastoral interns and explained to them that was why we asked leaders of the church to park in the lot farthest from the church doors every Sunday to make room for our guests. It’s why we ate last during fellowship meals to make sure everyone else had enough to eat. And it’s why we didn’t ask anyone to do what we were unwilling to do ourselves — so we gave the most, stayed the latest at events, and always cleaned up.

As I spoke, I shared my own ongoing struggle to be humble. One of my interns told me about a book that had helped him, titled simply Humility.

When he brought me the book a few days later, I remember assuring him that I would have it back to him by the weekend. He responded, “Take your time. It will wreck you.”

I remember so clearly how I brushed off that advice, thinking, “This book is no more than 100 pages!” But never underestimate the power of a small book to rock your world. I was completely undone. It became clear to me how mixed my motives were in the pursuit of servant leadership.

The problem was, I was working a system of governance I’d learned was the way we “did leadership” in the Vineyard. But it wasn’t until I was destroyed by that little book that I realized the difference between the ecclesiastical method I had learned from other pastors and the authenticity of leading others out of a servant’s heart, like Jesus did.

Don’t misunderstand me, though; real leadership does require skill. So I am still spending a significant portion of my reading and learning time on the subject of leadership. I have learned a great deal from Patrick Lencioni, Henry Cloud, Peter Drucker, John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, Jack Welch and others.

What I am saying is that all the technique, all the great Vineyard discipleship-modeling in the world cannot make you a servant leader, if underneath it all your only real motivation is to learn a new method or to understand the sociological and physiological buttons to push to get people to do what you want them to do. The leadership that Jesus lived and modeled doesn’t need a qualifier; it flows from the deep-well of a humble heart. I don’t know that you can learn that from a book … or can you?

Book Recommendation

Humility by Andrew Murray

This article along with many other great articles are available on the VineyardUSA monthly newsletter that you can read by clicking here

The Joy of Fences: Being Empowered, Not Hemmed In, In Life

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, our school yard had a fence around it. My friends and I played all the way to the edges, enjoying the freedom that the fence gave us. It was normal to see kids even hanging on the fence talking inside the safety of our boundaries.

Conversely, when we moved to Midland, Texas, and there were no fences around the school, I noticed that my friends and I all stayed in the middle of the school yard. We never went to the edges. We never hung out near the street. It wasn’t safe, the ball could end up in traffic, someone could grab you. We knew to stay in the middle, and still we had scary moments when strangers simply strolled across the campus. We usually would head back into the confines of the school courtyard.  

Most of us have no idea how to do life with a holy God. His ways, his view on life, is all beyond our comprehension. So God did us a huge favor. He put up some fences. We call them the ten commandments. Some might see those fences as limits on our freedom, but the reality is that like those fences, everything inside those boundaries is ours to enjoy.

It's like God says, run out to the edges, play all over the field, and be safe. Hang out with your friends, use up every inch of the field in play. You see the goodness in Christ is that we have no burden of proof. The law does not condemn us; it instructs us. It's a fence around the school-yard that says, play all you want, all the way to the edges, and don’t worry about what’s outside, your safe.   

So as you head into this week, God has given you the whole yard, play hard. I’ll race you to the fence! 

Six Weeks

This is actually a guest article by Bob Pollitt. Bob attends the church I lead and writes thought provoking emails like this one. This one was so well said, I just had to share it with you.

SIX WEEKS OF TIME.  Every day, hour, moment is a precious gift of time to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus.  And yet every minute we are diverted by the emergency, immediate, pressing "requirements" of life in this world.  And then there is our constant passion for pleasure.  We are always tempted by the thought that we are missing out on the fun we deserve.  So we do the necessities and then reward ourselves with pleasures.

Tragedy is not what happens to us; it is what we miss.  While we busy ourselves building castles in the sand, we are missing out on the treasure of walking in the Spirit, following the path into the Kingdom, and growing into mature servants of the King.

For many centuries Christians have kept these six weeks leading up to Resurrection Day as a holy season of growth.  It requires honest self evaluation, and that means time to learn, meditate, pray, and sacrifice.  We sacrifice our time in the sandbox to focus on God's Kingdom and His call to serve Him.  

Many Christians today have no knowledge of this season called "Lent".  Some will say it is a word not found in the Bible, but so are other words we honor (Christmas and Easter, for example).  But who can deny that today -NOW- we need time to contemplate the eternal meaning and purpose or our lives, and to ask for another chance to change, grow and sacrifice our will (our idols) for the Lord's will.

"Time flies when you're having fun."  When these six weeks are over, will we be playing in the same little sand box, or will we turn to the real purpose for our lives: to love God and our neighbors, to love and honor Jesus by sacrificing our lives for those He loves.

When "Easter" comes, will we just enjoy our chocolate bunnies, or do we celebrate our own resurrection from our little sand box?  As the song says, "My chains are gone, I've been set free!  My God, my Savior has ransomed me!"  If you are not celebrating and growing your new life in the Kingdom, you have missed out.  And that is a real tragedy.  

Spiritual Gifts Training at Faith Evangelical

I really enjoyed spending Sunday afternoon with the leadership at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, thank you for inviting me.

As per your request I wanted to share some resources with you for the purpose of helping you grow in the area of spiritual gift identification and releasing of your members into ministry. So here are a few resources I suggested:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Colors-Ministry-Trinitarian-Identifying/dp/1889638161/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392211214&sr=8-1&keywords=3+colors+of+ministry

http://www.amazon.com/Implement-Colors-Ministry-Your-Church/dp/1889638250/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392211214&sr=8-3&keywords=3+colors+of+ministry

http://www.saddlebackresources.com/SHAPE-Small-Group-Study-Guide-1-Study-Guide-P579.aspx

In addition here is my own curriculum which is based on a compilation of my own material, Rick Warren's material, Wayne Cordeiro's material, and John Wimber's material. It's called Discovering my D.E.S.I.G.N.

Teacher’s edition

WELCOME TO 

DISCOVERING MY D.E.S.I.G.N.

THE PURPOSE FOR THIS CLASS:

"(God) has given... pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so the body of Christ may be built up."  Ephesians 4.11-12

The Bible teaches that the pastors are the administers and the people are the ministers. That's the Vineyard strategy in relation to our structure. Our motto is: “Everybody get’s to play.” It's not my job to do the ministry.  The Bible says that it's my job as a pastor and teacher to prepare God's people to do ministry.  I consider this class to be the most important thing I do in this church.  I consider it more important than Sunday morning or anything else because out of this class we're helping people discover what ministry is all about.  

THE PRINCIPLE UNDERGIRDING THIS CLASS:

MY MINISTRY IS DETERMINED BY MY MAKEUP.  What God made me to be determines what He intends for me to do.  I will understand the purpose I was created for when I understand the kind of person I am.  This is the secret of knowing God's will for my life.  God is consistent in His plan for each of our lives.  He would not give us inborn talents and temperaments, spiritual gifts and all sorts of life experiences and then not use them.  We believe by reviewing and studying these factors you'll discover the ministry God has for you, the unique way God intends for you to serve Him.

The two results for discovering ministry I've been shaped for are fruitfulness and fulfillment.  When you discover what God made you to be and then you begin to do what God made you to do, through what He made you to be, you're going to be fulfilled. Fulfillment comes from service, not from status or anything else. A lot of times people say, "I'm frustrated!" and I tell them, "You just need a ministry.  You need an outlet."  

THE FOCUS OF THIS CLASS:

At Vineyard, we focus on an individual approach to ministry rather than an institutional approach.  An institutional approach is when you center it around the church and people are just seen as resources.  Most churches act this way.  They make up a large list of jobs that need to be done.  Then they go find people to fill the jobs whether they match or not.  They say, We've got an institution here and we've got things to do and therefore we're going to fit people into the jobs and they pressure people to take any job whether they fit there or not.  

At Vineyard, we take the exact opposite approach to ministry. We center it around people and each person's uniqueness.  We don't force a square peg into a round hole.  Our goal is not to build an institution.  Our goal is to build people.  We want to develop you more than we want to develop an institution.  

We're going to focus on six personal factors that have combined to shape the real you.  By identifying the specific traits that you possess in each of these areas the ministry God has designed for you, I believe, is going to become crystal clear and I think you're going to get real excited about this class.  This class could change your life.  

CLASS OUTLINE:

SECTION ONE:  MADE FOR MINISTRY

* What the Bible Says About Ministry

* How Has God Designed Me?

* The Process For Discovering My Ministry

SECTION TWO: IDENTIFYING MY D.E.S.I.G.N.

  * Determining My Desire

* Examining My Experiences

* Singling out My Spiritual Gifts

* Identifying My Individuality

* Gauging My Growth 

* Nurturing My Natural Abilities

SECTION THREE:  SERVING THROUGH VINEYARD

* Vineyard's Vision for Ministry

* Previewing the Opportunities ("Ministry Menu")

* Developing a Heart to Serve

* Where Do I Go From Here?

THREE PHASES TO COMPLETING THIS CLASS

1.  Attend class

2.  Complete your D.E.S.I.G.N. personal profile

3.  Interview with a Ministry Mentor

THE GOALS OF THIS CLASS:

1.  THAT I WILL discover MY UNIQUE D.E.S.I.G.N. FOR MINISTRY AND COMMIT TO developing and using MY GOD-GIVEN GIFTS AND ABILITIES IN SERVING GOD AND OTHERS THROUGH MY CHURCH FAMILY.

2.  THAT I WILL select AND BEGIN serving IN THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH THAT BEST expresses WHAT GOD MADE ME TO BE.

We're going to talk about discovering your primary ministry and your secondary ministry.  You ought to spend the maximum of your time in the ministry that best expresses who you are.  But in addition to that, there are secondary ministries where you may not be as strongly gifted in, but you have a servant's heart and you're willing to help.

SECTION ONE

DEFINITION: Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve Him and the needs of others. 

Greek: Διακονος (diakonos) - to serve. From which we get our word deacon or minister.

Here's the definition we believe ministry is at Vineyard: "Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve him and the needs of others."  When we talk about finding your ministry we're saying what has God given me?  That's where it starts.  What He's given me He expects me to use in serving Him and the needs of others.  

WE MINISTER IN THREE DIRECTIONS:

1.  First we minister to the Lord.  We do it through worship. When we worship, we are actually ministering to God.  We're using what God has given us to serve Him.  

2.  Then we minister to other believers.  Hebrews 6:10 talks about ministering to other Christians.

3.  Then we also minister to unbelievers.  Matthew 5:13 talks about "You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world."  

There are three types of ministry.  There's ministry to the Lord. There is ministry to other believers.  And there's ministry to unbelievers.  

Likewise we minister to three areas of need.  You're made of a spirit, a soul, and a body and we believe ministry involves those three things.

1.  We minister to people's physical needs.  That's a legitimate ministry.  God says in Matthew 25, "I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink.  I needed clothes and you clothed me, sick and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Whenever you have done this to the least person, you did it to me."  Jesus said, whenever you do something kind for another person in His name it's as if you're doing it directly for the Lord.  There are legitimate ministries in our church that simply take care of people's physical needs -- hunger, bills, things like that.  

Matthew 10:42, "If, as my representative, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded."  

To those of you who are Kids church teachers, even if you take a little child to the rest room you'll be rewarded.  Everything is rewarded by God.  

2.  To people's emotional needs.

People have different kinds of emotional needs and the Bible says it takes different kinds of ministries.  "Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all."  We respond to different people in different ways.  When you minister a word of counsel or encouragement or comfort, that is ministry.

3.  To people's spiritual needs.

2 Corinthians 5:18, "God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."  Reconciliation is when you take two opposing parties and you bring them together. When a couple reconciles in a marriage, maybe they've been separated, they come back together.  That's reconciliation.  Two opposite parties.  The Bible says it's our job as Christians, our ministry, to reconcile people with God.  People who have been separated from God, we're to bring them together.  

"We proclaim Christ, counseling and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ."  There are spiritual needs that need to be ministered to.

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY?

1 Corinthians, "There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord, we are serving. [underline "different kinds"]  The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.  All of you together are the one body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. "  

What is the purpose of ministry?  Underline "Each of us as a means of helping the entire church."  God wants to use me to build up His body.  That's the purpose of ministry.  God wants every one of you to be a body builder.  A spiritual body builder.

THE PRIORITY OF MINISTRY

(Why should I be interested?)

1.  I'VE BEEN CREATED FOR MINISTRY.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2.10

2.  I'VE BEEN SAVED FOR MINISTRY!

"It is He who saved us and chose us for his holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began..."  2 Timothy 1.9 (LB)

"Saved to Serve!"

3.  I'VE BEEN CALLED INTO MINISTRY!

"God, in his grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him."  Galatians 1.15 (GN)

"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."  Ephesians 4.1

"... You have been chosen by God himself -- you are priests of the King... you are God's very own -- all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of darkness into his wonderful light!  Once you were less than nothing, now you are God's own!"  1 Peter 2.9-10 (LB)

"... you will serve as holy priests..."  1 Peter 2.5 (GN)

I am not who I think I am

I am not who you think I am

But I really am who God says I am!

A LIFE CHANGING TRUTH - MY PRIMARY IDENTITY:

I AM A MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST!

4.  I'VE BEEN GIFTED FOR MINISTRY!

"God has given each of you some social abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessing."  1 Peter 4.10 (LB)

5.  I'VE BEEN AUTHORIZED FOR MINISTRY!

"(Jesus said) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples..." Matthew 28.18-19

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors..." 2 Corinthians 5.20

6.  I'M COMMANDED TO MINISTRY!

"(Jesus) Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve..." Matthew 20.28 (LB)

"(To Archippus) Take heed to the ministry you've received from the Lord and fulfill it."  Colossians 4.17 (KJV)

7.  I'M TO BE PREPARED FOR MINISTRY!

"God gave pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up..." Ephesians 4.11-12

8.  THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS MY MINISTRY!

"All of you together are the one body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it."  1 Corinthians 12.27 (LB)

Ministry always functions in the context of the CHURCH FAMILY.

"When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said, `The harvest is great but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord to send our workers into his harvest field.'"  Matthew 9.36-37

9.  I AM ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY MINISTRY!

"So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14.12

The Parable of the Talents:  Matthew 25.14-30

10.  I WILL BE REWARDED FOR MY MINISTRY!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."  Colossians 3.23, 24

"Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your Master's happiness!"  Matthew 25.23

THE PROCEDURE: HOW TO DISCOVER MY MINISTRY.

(ROMANS 12:1-8)

STEP 1:  DEDICATE MY BODY.

"I urge you... to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- which is your spiritual worship." (vs.1)

STEP 2:  ELIMINATE COMPETING DISTRACTIONS.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (vs. 2)

STEP 3:  EVALUATE MY STRENGTHES.

"Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith God has given to you.  (vs. 3- Ph)

STEP 4:  COOPERATE WITH OTHER BELIEVERS.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one Body and each member belongs to all the others." 

(vs. 5)

Implications from Paul's Anatomy Lesson:

(See also 1 Corinthians 12.1-31)

Every member is a minister in Christ's body.

Every member has a different function.

Every member's ministry is important.

Every member belongs to the others.

"Each of us is a part of the one Body of Christ... The eye can never say to the hand, `I don't need you.'  The head cannot say to the feet. `I don't need you.' And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary! ... So God put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important."  1 Corinthians 12.13, 21-22, 24b (LB)

STEP 5:  ACTIVATE MY GIFTS.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us… prophesy... serving... teaching... encouraging... contributing... leadership... showing mercy..."  Romans 12.6-8

HOW HAS GOD DESIGNED ME?

"Your hands formed and shaped me..." Job 10.8a (GN)

God has been molding and shaping you for ministry since you were born.  In fact, God uniquely designed you for ministry even before you were born!

"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  It is amazing to think about.  Your workmanship is marvelous... You were there while I was being formed... You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe."  Psalm 139.14-16 (LB)

1.  I was DESIGNED for a purpose.

2.  I am UNIQUE!

3.  I am WONDERFULLY COMPLEX!

"What right do you have, a human being, to cross-examine God?  The pot has no right to say to the potter:  Why did you make me this shape?  A potter can do what he likes with the clay!"  Romans 9.20-21

In Ministry... Function follows Form!

MINISTRY IS DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FACTORS

"There are different kinds of SPIRITUAL GIFTS but the same Spirit gives them.  There are different WAYS OF SERVING, but the same Lord is served.  There are different ABILITIES to perform service, but the same God gives ability to everyone for their service.  The Spirit's presence is shown IN SOME WAY in each one, for the good of all."   1 Corinthians12.4-7 (GN)

MY D.E.S.I.G.N. WILL DETERMINE MY MINISTRY

DESIRE

"God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose..." Revelation 17.7

"For it is God who works in you, inspiring both the will and the deed, for his own chosen purpose!" Philippians 2.13 (NEB)

Q: WHAT DO I LOVE TO DO?

EXPERIENCES

WHAT SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD?

"There has been enough time for you to be teachers -- BUT you still need to be taught... (you are) without any experience in the matter of right and wrong."  Hebrews 5.12-13

WHAT PAINFUL EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD?

"Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways."  Proverbs 20.30 (GN)

"God helps us in our troubles, so we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God."  2 Corinthians 1.4 (GN)

WHAT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD?

"Always remember what you have learned.  You education is your life -- guard it well!"  Proverbs 4.13 (GN)

WHAT MINISTRY EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD?

"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel..." 

 2 Corinthians 9.13

SPRITUAL GIFTS.

"... Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."  1 Corinthians 7.7b

Q: WHAT AM I GIFTED TO DO?

INDIVIDUALITY.

"No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like, except that person himself."  1 Corinthians 2.11 (LB)

Q: WHERE DOES MY PERSONALITY BEST SUIT ME TO SERVE?

GROWTH LEVEL IN CHRIST.

“Long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2.2

Q: AT WHAT LEVEL AM I READY TO SERVE?

NATURAL ABILITIES

"There are different abilities to perform service..."  1 Corinthians 12.6

"I (God)... have given him skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts..."  Exodus 31.3

Q: WHAT NATURAL TALENTS AND SKILLS DO I HAVE?

Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling when you are using your GIFTS and ABILITIES in the area of HEART'S DESIRE in a way that best expresses your INDIVIDUALITY and EXPERIENCE!

HOW PAUL'S MINISTRY WAS "DESIGNED"

PAUL'S DESIRE

"My constant ambition has been to preach the gospel where the name of Christ was previously unknown, and to avoid building on another man's foundation."  Romans 15.20 (Ph)

"For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles."  Galatians 2.8

"Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus..."  Acts 20.24 (LB)

PAUL'S EXPERIENCES

HIS SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

* Watching Stephen be stone (Acts 8.1)

* Conversion on the Damascus Road (Acts 9.1-20)

* Special vision from God (2 Corinthians 12.2-7)

HIS PAINFUL EXPERIENCES

"... I have been in prison more times... near death often... been whipped five times with 39 lashes by the Jews and three times by the Romans... once stoned.... I've been in three shipwrecks... and once spent 24 hours in the water... In my travels I've been in danger from floods... robbers... enemies... wild animals and false friends... I've served long hours without sleep or food or shelter or even clothing..."  2 Corinthians 11.23-27

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these great revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me."  2 Corinthians 12.7

PAUL'S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

"I received my training at the feet of Gamaliel, and I was schooled in the strictest observance of our fathers' Law."  Acts 22.3 (Ph)

PAUL'S MINISTRY EXPERIENCES

Read the Book of Acts!

PAUL'S SPIRITUAL GIFTS

"And of this gospel I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher."  2 Timothy 1.11

PAUL'S INDIVIDUALITY

"For you have heard of my past... I persecuted the church with fanatical zeal... and did my best to destroy it... I was ahead of most of my contemporaries in the Jewish religion, and had a boundless enthusiasm..."  Galatians 1.13-14 (Ph)

PAUL’S GROWTH IN CHRIST

“Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.” Galatians 1.18

PAUL'S NATURAL ABILITY

"... Paul went to see them, and stayed and worked with them, because he earned his living by making tents, just as they did.  He debated in the synagogues every Sabbath, trying to convince both Jews and Gentiles."  Acts 18.2-4 (GN)

VINEYARD MINISTRY DISCOVERY PROCESS

Attend Discover my D.E.S.I.G.N. for ministry.

MAKE VINEYARD MINISTRY COMMITMENT

COMPLETE YOUR D.E.S.I.G.N. PERSONAL PROFILE

INTERVIEW WITH A MINISTRY MENTOR

(Identify  ministry possibilities) 

MEET WITH MINISTRY LEADER

BEGIN MY MINISTRY AND ATTEND Trainings. MEETINGS

SECTION TWO:

  

We've prepared and adapted several tools to help you discover and think through the six factors that make up who you are.  You will complete these on your own (homework) before you meet with a Ministry Mentor.

“DETERMINE YOUR DESIRE" will help you clarify what you really love to do.

“EXAMINING YOUR EXPERIENCES" will help you review your history to discover how God has prepared you for a unique ministry that only you can fulfill.

“SINGLING OUT YOUR GIFTS" will give you an overview of spiritual gifts and help you identify which ones you may have been given by God.

“IDENTIFYING YOUR INDIVIDUALITY" will help you see how your God given temperament can best be used in ministry.

“GAUGING YOUR GROWTH” will help you evaluate at what level you are ready to serve.

“NUTURING YOUR NATURAL ABILITIES" will help you appreciate the natural talents and vocational skills you have.

REMEMBER:

1.  Have fun!  These are not "tests"!   There are no right or wrong answers.  The purpose is to show how you are a unique blend!

2.  Each one is self-evaluating.  No one is "rating" you on this.  We're interested in your feelings, not others.  However, it may be helpful to ask for additional input from those closest to you after you've filled in your own responses.

3.  The value of each of these tools will vary depending on your age, how long you've been a Christian, your background, your honesty, and how much time and serious thinking you're willing to invest in them!

4.  AS YOU COMPLETE EACH TOOL, TRANSFER YOUR RESULTS TO THE FORM CALLED "D.E.S.I.G.N. PERSONAL PROFILE".  YOU WILL BRING THIS PROFILE WITH YOU TO YOUR INTERVIEW WITH A MINISTRY MENTOR.

DETERMINING MY DESIRES

All things being equal, if you could do anything in the world, for the Lord, that your heart desires what would it be? 

1. YOUR DESIRES ARE GOD GIVEN. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37.4 

2. YOUR DESIRES ARE UNIQUE.

“And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly.”  Romans 12.6

3. GOD GIVES US PASSIONS TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES.

“For it is God in you to will and act according to his good purpose…” Philippians 2.13

God had a purpose in giving you your inborn interests.  In fact, your emotional heartbeat reveals a very important key to understanding God's design and intention for your life.

The Bible makes very clear that your heart was designed by God but you make the choice to use it for good or evil, for selfish purposes or for service.

You may have...

"...selfish ambition in your heart..."  James 3.14

Or you may...

"... Serve the Lord with all your heart."  1 Samuel 12.20

"... Do the will of God from your heart."  Ephesians 6.6

How can I do God's will and serve God's purpose?

By letting my heartbeat motivate me for ministry!

"It is quite true to say that a man who sets his heart on becoming a church leader has a laudable ambition."  1Timothy 3.1 (Ph)

IDENTIFYING YOUR DESIRES WILL DETERMINE WHERE YOU ARE BEST SUITED TO SERVE.

If you are like most people, you have never taken time to sort out and identify the things you are good at and motivated to accomplish.  As a result, it is unlikely that you use these talents as completely or effectively as you could.  The key to understanding your passions is to look at your past accomplishments.

The first part of this exercise was adapted from the book Finding A Job You Can Love by Ralph Mattson & Arthur Miller (Nelson, 1982).  

STEP 1:  LIST AND DESCRIBE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE CHILDHOOD

*  "I put on plays for the neighborhood kids with costumes, props, etc.  We transformed the shed in the back of our house into a fairyland with lighting effects, decorations and princesses."

*  "I started a Kool-Aid stand in the fourth grade and expanded it into three different stands.  It was fun and I made money!"

*  "I had a job as a printer's assistant and developed a method of cutting stereotypes which was faster and more accurate."

*  "I ran for president and won sometimes when I was in school."

*  "I have always liked to build things.  Before I got married, I completely rebuilt the little apartment I was living in."

*  "I successfully led protest marches against toxic wastes in my hometown and got local tv coverage." 

*  "I set a goal to read fifteen books over the summer and I did."

What to Include:

*  Accomplishments at home, school, work, etc.

*  Things you enjoyed doing.

*  Things you believe you did well.

*  Give specific details about what you did.

*  Forget what other people think about it.

1.  Remember, you're recalling things you enjoyed doing and did well (accomplishments), not simply pleasant experiences

BAD EXAMPLE:  Had a great vacation in Canada

GOOD:  Took some stunning photos during my vacation

2.  You do not have to cover every year of your life, just focus on what you feel are the highlights of things you've done.

MY HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS I DID WELL AND ENJOYED DOING DURING MY GRADE SCHOOL YEARS

1.

2.

AS A TEENAGER

1.

2.

3.

IN COLLEGE OR EARLY 20'S

1.

2.

3.

4.

IN MY "THIRTYSOMETHING" YEARS

1.

2.

3.

4.

COMPLETE UP TO YOUR PRESENT:

1.

2.

3.

4.

The more you can list the better.  Get another sheet of paper!

STEP 2:  DISCOVER WHAT MOTIVATES YOU.

Examine your achievements for a common motivational thread.  You might find a key phrase repeated.  See if you can match one of the "desires" listed below as samples:

Remember these are ALL God-given motivations.  They are only sinful when used selfishly.  Every one of these can be used in effective ministry.  Don't be embarrassed to identify a basic heartbeat that doesn't seem spiritual!  Almost every one of these can be identified in the ministry of one of the twelve Apostles!

I LOVE TO ...

DESIGN AND DEVELOP -- I love to make something out of nothing.  I enjoy getting something started from scratch.

PIONEER -- I love to test out and try new concepts.  I am not afraid to risk failure.  

ORGANIZE -- I love to bring order out of chaos.  I enjoy organizing something that is already started.  

OPERATE/MAINTAIN -- I love to efficiently maintain some things that is already organized.  

SERVE OR HELP -- I love to assist others in their responsibility.  I enjoy helping others succeed.  

ACQUIRE AND POSSESS -- I love to shop, collect, or obtain things.  I enjoy getting the highest quality for the best price.  

EXCEL -- I love to be the best and make my team the best.  I enjoy setting and attaining the highest standard.

INFLUENCE -- I love to convert people to my way of thinking.  I enjoy shaping the attitudes and behaviors of others.

PERFORM -- I love to be on stage and receive the attention of others.  I enjoy being in the limelight.   

IMPROVE -- I love to make things better.  I enjoy taking something that someone else has designed or started and improve it.

REPAIR -- I love to fix what is broken or change what is out of date.

LEAD AND BE IN CHARGE -- I love to lead the way, oversee and supervise.  I enjoy determining how things will be done.  

PERSEVERE -- I love to see things to completion.  I enjoy persisting at something until it is finished.  

FOLLOW THE RULES -- I love to operate by policies and procedures.  I enjoy meeting the expectations of an organization or boss.

PREVAIL -- I love to fight for what is right and oppose what is wrong.  I enjoy overcoming injustice.  

You should be able to support your choice with examples from your achievements.  EXAMPLE:

I feel the basic motivation God put in me is to "ACQUIRE/POSSESS":  My history demonstrates this:

  * I purchased my first car at age 16.

* I've collected s collection of rare stamps.

* I've built up a large cash reserve

* I've acquired options on three properties.

STEP 3: ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS. Remember this is not a test. Answer these questions as if there were no obstacles to fulfilling your heart’s desires.

If I could snap my fingers, and know that I would not fail, what would I do?

What would keep you up talking late into the night?

The people I would most like to help are _______________________________.

Infants Children Youth Teen Moms 

Divorced Widowed Singles Young Couples

Refugees Parents Empty Nesters Homeless

Unemployed Elderly Disabled Prisoners

Poor Hospitalized Other

The issues or causes I feel strongly about are _____________________________.

Environment Child Care Discipleship Church

AIDS Politics Violence Injustice

Racism Education Addictions International

Economic Outreach Technology Healthcare

Poverty Family Abortion Hunger

Literacy Other 

BASED ON MY ANSWERS I HAVE DETERMINED THAT I HAVE A PASSION FOR 

___________________________________. (Write this on your personal profile.)

EXAMINING MY EXPERIENCES

"And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8.28

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."  Philippians 1.12

One of the most overlooked factors in determining the ministry God has for me is my past experience, particularly my hurts and problems I've overcome with God's help.  Since our greatest life messages come out of our weaknesses, not our strengths, we should pay close attention to what we've learned in the “school of hard knocks”.

GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT!

HE WANTS YOU TO BE OPEN TO MINISTERING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH!

"(God)... Wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.  And why does he do this?  So when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them the same help and comfort God has given us!"  2 Corinthians 1.3-4 (LB)

ON YOUR PERSONAL PROFILE RECORD THESE EXPERIENCES:

Your Spiritual Experiences

Meaningful decisions/times with God

Your Painful Experiences

Problems, hurts, trials-that have taught you

Your Educational Experiences

What were your favorite subjects in school?

Your Ministry Experiences

How have you served in the past?

RECORD THESE ON YOUR PERSONAL PROFILE

SINGLING OUT MY GIFTS

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

(A Condensed Overview)

"Now about spiritual gifts I do not want you to be ignorant."  1 Corinthians 12.1

A SPIRITUAL GIFT:  Is a special ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at their conversion, to be used to minister to others and therefore build up the Body of Christ

TEN TRUTHS

1.  Only BELIEVERS have spiritual gifts.  1 Corinthians 2.14

2.  Every Christian has at least ONE gift.  1 Corinthians 7.7

3.  No one receives ALL the gifts.  1 Corinthians 12.27-30

4.  No single gift is given to EVERYONE.  1 Corinthians 12.29-30

5.  You can't EARN OR WORK FOR a spiritual gift.  Ephesians 4.7

6.  The HOLY SPIRIT decides what gifts I get.  1 Corinthians 12.11

7.  The gifts I'm given are PERMANENT.  Romans 11.29

8.  I am to EXCERCISE the gifts that God gives me. 1Timothy 4.14

9.  It's a sin to WASTE the gifts God gave me. 1Corinthians 4.1-2  

    Matthew 25.14-30

10.  Using my gifts GLORIFIES God and GROWS me.  John 15.8

THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A.  NOT FOR MY BENEFIT, BUT OTHERS.

"Each one of you, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others, the spiritual gift he has received from God."  1 Peter 4.10 (GN)

"The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church."  

1Corinthians 12.7 (LB)

B.  TO PRODUCE MATURITY AND STABILITY IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY.

"It was He who gave gifts to men... to build up the Body of Christ so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith... and become mature... Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind..." Ephesians 4.11, 13-14 (GN)

CAUTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1.  Don't confuse spiritual gifts with natural talents.

2.  Don't confuse the gifts with the Fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5.22-23

"Fruit" shows my Maturity.

"Gifts" show my Ministry.

3.  Don't confuse spiritual gifts with Christian roles.

4.  Be aware of the "gift projection" tendency.  (Expecting others to serve the way you do and have              similar results.)

5.  Don't feel my gift makes me superior to others.  1 Corinthians 12.21

6.  Realize that using my gifts without love is worthless!  "I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels... I may have the gift of inspired preaching... I may have all knowledge... and all the faith to move mountains -- but if I have not love, I am nothing... it does no good."  

1 Corinthians 13.1-3 (GN)

7.  Recognize that I have both a Primary and a Secondary ministry in my church:

My PRIMARY MINISTRY commitment should be in the area where I am GIFTED.

My SECONDARY MINISTRY includes serving in any other area of the Body when I am 

NEEDED.  (Titus 3.14)

HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR GIFT

Get Started!

STUDY
TRIAL AND ERROR

ANALYZE

REQUEST RESPONSES FROM OTHERS

TAKE TRAINING

Three Ways God Wants You to Use Your Gifts

1.  Through an Ongoing Ministry

2.  Through Short-Term Projects

Through Spontaneous Situations

IT'S EASIER TO DISCOVER YOUR GIFT THROUGH MINISTRY THAN TO DISCOVER YOUR MINISTRY THROUGH YOUR GIFT.

SINGLING OUT MY GIFTS

The Bible does not lock us into tight restrictions as to the number of spiritual gifts, or even their definitions.  The four major lists of gifts are found in Romans 12.3-8, 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, 27-31 and Ephesians 4.11-12, 1 Peter 4.9-11 but there are other passages that mention or illustrate gifts not included in these lists.

All gifts are given to help the church fulfill its purposes.  So we've categorized this list of gifts according to their purposes.

As you read through this list, check off your initial impression concerning yourself.  Remember you can have many gifts.

GIFTS THAT COMMUNICATE GOD'S WORD

(Both to unbelievers and believers)

PROPHECY (Words of Knowledge, Words of Wisdom) 1 Corinthians 14.3

The divine enablement to communicate what God has spontaneously brought to mind in an inspired way that convinces unbelievers and both challenges and comforts believers.  There may be immediate or future implications.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

EVANGELISM Acts 8.26-40

The ability to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ to unbelievers in a positive, non-threatening way.  The ability to sense opportunities to share Christ and lead people to respond with faith.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

MISSIONS  1 Corinthians 9.19-23, Acts 13.2-3

The ability to adapt to a different culture in order to reach unbelievers and help believers from that culture.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

APOSTLE  Romans 15.20

The ability to start new churches and oversee their development.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

GIFTS THAT EDUCATE GOD'S PEOPLE

TEACHING  Ephesians 4.12-13

The ability to educate God's people by clearly explaining and applying the Bible in a way that causes them to learn.  The ability to equip and train other believers for ministry.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

ENCOURAGEMENT ("Exhortation") Acts 14.22

The ability to motivate God's people to apply and act on Biblical principles, especially when they are discouraged or wavering in their faith.  The ability to bring out the best in others and challenge them to develop their potential.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

WISDOM  1 Corinthians 2.1, 6-16

The ability to understand God's perspective on life situations and share those insights in a simple, understandable way.  The ability to explain what to do and how to do it.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

DISCERNMENT  1 John 4.1-6

The ability to distinguish right from wrong, truth from error, and to give an immediate evaluation based on God's Word.  The ability to discern whether the source of an experience is Satan, self, or God's Spirit.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

KNOWLEDGE  Daniel 1.17

The ability to discover, collect, analyze, and organize information that is vital to individual believers or the entire church family.  The ability to comprehend a large amount of information and provide it when needed for effective decision-making.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

GIFTS THAT DEMONSTRATE GOD'S LOVE

SERVICE  Acts 6.1-7

The ability to recognize unmet needs in the church family, and take the initiative to provide practical assistance quickly, cheerfully, and without a need for recognition

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

MERCY  Luke 10.30-37

The ability to detect hurt and empathize with those who are suffering in the church family.  The ability to provide compassionate and cheerful support to those experiencing distress, crisis, or pain.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

HOSPITALITY 1 Peter 4.9-10

The ability to make others, especially strangers, feel warmly welcomed, accepted, and comfortable in the church family.  The ability to coordinate factors that promote fellowship.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

SHEPHERDING (“Pastoral”) 1 Peter 5.2-4

The ability to care for the spiritual needs of a group of believers and equip them for ministry.  The ability to nurture a small group in spiritual growth and assume responsibility for their welfare.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

GIVING  2 Corinthians 8.1-7

The ability to generously contribute material resources and/or money beyond the 10% tithe so that the Body may grow and be strengthened.  The ability to earn and manage money so it may be given to support the ministry of others.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

GIFTS THAT CELEBRATE GOD'S PRESENCE

(Worship or prayer-related gifts)

MUSIC  Psalm 150

The ability to celebrate God's presence through music, either vocal or instrumental, and to led the church family in worship.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

ARTS & CRAFTS  Exodus 31.3-11

The ability to build, maintain, or beautify the place of worship for God's glory.  The ability to express worship through a variety of art forms.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

4 Prayer-related gifts

HEALING  James 5.14-16

The ability to pray in faith specifically for people who need physical, emotional, or spiritual healing and see God answer.  The ability to sense when God is prompting you to pray this kind of prayer.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

MIRACLES  Mark 11.23-24

The ability to pray in faith specifically for God's supernatural intervention into an impossible situation and see God answer.  The ability to sense when God is prompting you to pray this kind of prayer.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

PRAYING WITH MY SPIRIT ("Tongues and/or Interpretation") 1 Corinthians 14.13-15

The ability to pray in a language understood only by God or one who is given the gift of interpretation at that time.

I’m pretty sure I have this gift.

I may have this gift.

I don’t think I have this gift.

WHY WE DO NOT ENCOURAGE THIS GIFT IN OUR CELEBRATION SERVICES

This gift caused such a problem in the Church at Corinthian that Paul had to write an entire chapter of guidelines (1 Corinthians 14).

1.  It is primarily for personal edification, not generally for the whole church.

"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who preaches edifies the church." (vs. 4)

2.  We are to focus on building up others, not ourselves.

"Unless you speak intelligible words... you will just be speaking into the air... try to excel in the gifts that build up the church."  (vss. 9 & 12)

3.  It confuses unbelievers in the service.

"... if some unbelievers come in, will they not say you are out of your mind?"  (vs. 23)

4.  Ideally, it is not meant to be used in the worship service.

"In the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousands words in a tongue.  Brothers, stop thinking like children!"  (vss.19-20)

"The gift of speaking God's message should be under the speaker's control, because God does not want us to be in disorder, but in harmony and peace."  (vss. 32-33)

IDENTIFYING YOUR INDIVIDUALITY

In the box below, write your name:

Now write your name with your opposite hand:

WHAT HAPPENED?

When you tried to do something that was not natural to you...

1.  You felt uncomfortable.

2.  It took extra time and effort.

3.  You still did a lousy job at it!

The same things are true when we try to minister in areas that are not suited to our personality.  God has wired your temperament in a unique way.  This factor is very important in matching you to the right ministry.

It's obvious that God has not used a cookie cutter to stamp out people in a process of uniformity.  He loves variety -- just look around!  And there is no "right" or "wrong" temperament.  We need opposites to balance the church.

Although there are many fine (and extremely detailed!) personality assessments available, for the purpose of your PERSONAL PROFILE, we want you to consider just five aspects:

HOW DO I SEE MYSELF?

Extroverted Introverted

              3 2 1 1 2 3  

extreme mild mild      extreme    

Thinker Feeler

3 2 1 1 2 3  

extreme mild mild      extreme    

Routine Variety

3 2 1 1 2 3  

extreme mild mild      extreme    

Self-controlled Self-expressive

3 2 1 1 2 3  

extreme mild mild      extreme    

Cooperative Competitive

3 2 1 1 2 3  

extreme mild mild      extreme    

RECORD YOUR RESPONSES ON YOUR PERSONAL PROFILE

GAUGING MY GROWTH

Growing in Christ is something that we always need to be doing, but is not a guaranteed result of time spent in the church. Instead growth is gained by the consistent application of what has been learned in our relationship with Christ.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4.13

Growth results from SERVING.

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2.10

2.  Growth BEGINS right where you are.

“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’  At once they left their nets and followed him.”   Mark 1.16-18

       3.  Acquire WISDOM, not just KNOWLEDGE.

“If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13.17

CHECKING THE GAUGES

I have been a Christian since ___________________________________.

According to Galatians 5.22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit, I would gauge my spiritual growth to be:

(Circle one)

Very Mature Mature Immature (Growing) Immature New Christian

My current availability per week would be:

_____ 1-2 hours _____ 2-4 hours _____ 4+ hours _____ not sure

NURTURING MY NATURAL ABILITIES

"There are different abilities to perform service."  1 Corinthians 12.6

"I (God)... have given him skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts..." Exodus 31.3

One of the most common excuses people give for not getting involved in ministry is, "I just don't have any abilities to offer."  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The key is matching your abilities with the right ministry!

FIVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT NATURAL ABILITIES

(Skills and Talents)

1.  MYTH:  People aren't born with skills.  All skills must be learned by experience.  This simply is not true.  There are a number of skills which seem to be inborn and develop very early in infancy.  When people say, "He just seems to have a natural talent for it", it's probably true.  

2.  MYTH:  Those skills which must be learned, are earned primarily in the classroom.  Actually some of your most basic skills were learned at home, "in the street", or somewhere outside the classroom.

3. MYTH:  If you have certain abilities, you will be very aware that you have them.  Again, that is not true.  You're probably using a number of talents or skills that you are not even aware of.  You need some process of skill identification.

4.  MYTH:  Skills that I use at work are only usable in that environment.  I couldn't use them in ministry.  Hopefully, by the end of this class, you'll see the fallacy of that idea.  Be creative.

5.  MYTH:  Most people only have a few abilities.  The truth is that many national studies have proven that the average person possesses from five hundred to seven hundred different skills.  

HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR MOTIVATED ABILITIES

Look over your list of accomplishments again.  Circle all verbs that denote actions performed while you were doing each achievement.

Now compare those verbs to the list below and check those abilities you feel you have.

26 SPECIALIZED ABILITIES

Entertaining ability:  to perform, act, dance, speak, illusionist, etc.

Recruiting ability:  to enlist and motive people to get involved.

Interview ability:  to discover what others are really like.

Researching ability:  to read, gather information, collect data.

Artistic ability:  to conceptualize, picture, draw, paint, photograph, or make renderings.

Graphics ability:  to do layouts, design, create visual displays or banners.

Evaluating ability:  to analyze data and draw conclusions.

Planning ability:  to strategize, design and organize programs and events.

Managing ability: to supervise people to accomplish a task or event and coordinate the details involved.

Counseling ability:  to listen, encourage and guide with sensitivity.

Teaching ability:  to explain, train, demonstrate, tutoring.

Writing ability:  to write articles, letters, books.

Editing ability:  to proofread or rewrite.

Promoting ability:  to advertise or promote events and activities.

Repairing ability:  to fix, restore, maintain.

Feeding ability:  to create meals for large or small groups.

Recall ability:  to remember or recall names and faces.

Mechanical operating ability:  to operate equipment, tools or machinery.

Resourceful ability:  to search out and find inexpensive materials or resources needed.

Counting ability:  to work with numbers, data or money.

Classifying ability:  to systematize and file data, records and materials so they can be retrieved easily.

Public Relations ability:  to handle complaints and unhappy customers with care and courtesy.

Welcoming ability:  to convey warmth, develop rapport, making others feel comfortable.

Composing ability:  to write music or lyrics.

Landscaping ability:  to do gardening and work with plants.

Decorating ability:  to beautify a setting for a special event.

*List your specialized abilities on your PERSONAL PROFILE

SECTION THREE:

VINEYARD’S VISION FOR MINISTRY

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT MINISTRY

Salvation in Jesus Christ automatically includes a call to ministry.  Every believer is created, saved, called, gifted, authorized, and commanded to minister.  

MINISTRY is the heart of the Christian life (Matthew 20.28).

FUNCTION follows form in ministry.  How God made me determines what He intends for me to do.  God has uniquely shaped each individual for a specific ministry.  

God has given all His children gifts that can be developed and used in ministry.  Everyone is a "10" in some area.  Everyone has something to offer.  Developing and using your gifts is an act of good STEWARDSHIP and of WORSHIP.

You discover your gifts through ministry, instead of discovering your ministry by identifying your gifts.

The evidence of the right match between my "design" and my ministry is FRUITFULNESS and FULFILLMENT.

Membership and Maturity are prerequisites to Ministry.  

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT THE BODY OF CHRIST

God intends for ministry to be performed through the context of the local church.  Membership includes a commitment to ministry.  

The Holy Spirit has provided our church body with all the spiritually gifted people needed to do everything He wants done.  Our task is to discover, enlist, train, and support these people in ministry.

The church is to operate on the basis of spiritual gifts, rather than elected offices.  We do not ELECT people to ministries.  "A man's gift makes room for him."  Proverbs 18.16 (NAS)

The church is a BODY, not a business, an ORGANISM, not an organization.  Therefore we streamline the structure in order to maximize ministry and minimize maintenance.  We don't bury ministries under a bunch of procedures.

The mobilization of every member as a minister is the key to balanced growth of the church.  

The greater good of the whole body must always take priority over the needs of any single ministry.  There is no place for TURFISM in God's family.  

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT THE ROLE OF PASTORS

The equipping of the members for ministry is the number one priority of the pastoral staff.  The people are the ministers and the pastors are the administrators.  (Ephesians 4.11-12)

The objective of the ministry development is to MOBILIZE an army of ministers who are maximizing their unique gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences in a meaningful place of service through our church.

Every member deserves personal assistance in discovering a meaningful place of service.  We value the individual more than the ministry.  

Those involved in ministry are entitled to competent leadership. Therefore, every ministry is assigned an ministry leader/overseer who is committed to the success of that ministry.  

Each ministry leader/overseer is to provide training, encouragement, guidance, feedback and resources to the ministers under his or her care.  

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY

We become what we are committed to.  Therefore we encourage growth in commitment to Christ and His Church.  

Everything rises or falls on LEADERSHIP.  No ministry can exceed the commitment of those leading it.

One mark of maturing church is that the standards for leadership are raised every year.  

There must be periodic reviews of all ministries.  We do what is inspected, not just what is expected.  Best intentions are not enough.

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT TRAINING

Every leader is a LEARNER.  The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.  

We emphasize OJT (on the job training) more than pre-service training.  We learn best by doing. We delegate to develop people. 

WHAT WE BELIEVE ON DIVERSITY OF MINISTRY

We have unity without uniformity.  We believe diversity in ministries simply illustrates the unique giftedness of individuals.

Any member who has completed Class 301 may start a new ministry with the assistance of the pastoral staff.  

Every ministry must fill one or more of the basic purposes of the church or we don't do it.  

Ministries have LIFE CYCLES.  If a ministry isn't meeting a need anymore, we will give it a decent burial.  There are no sacred cows!

Most ministries require one-year commitment but we allow people to change ministries gracefully, without guilt.  We don't lock people in permanently.  

Only official ministries of Vineyard are given publicity space in the bulletin.  

Your primary ministry commitment should be in the area where you're GIFTED.  Your secondary ministry includes serving in any other area of the body where you are NEEDED.

You are not ready for ministry until you are willing to serve anywhere.

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT PERFORMANCE

We expect excellence in ministry, not PERFECTION.  Excellence is doing your best.  God deserves our best.  

We encourage creativity and innovation in ministry, which assumes that mistakes will be made.  "No mistakes" means you're not growing or trying anything new.  We have no "failures" in ministry at Vineyard, only "experiments that didn't work!"

A failed project does not mean a failed person.  There are no "wrong" people, only "right" people in the wrong ministry.  

PREVIEWING THE OPPORTUNITIES

VINEYARD MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNICIANS:  A team who set up and monitor the sound for music activities.

OUTREACH:  This team develops our outreach events (Water Give-a-ways, Matthew’s Parties) and coordinates the Second Saturday Outreaches. 

HOSPITALITY TEAM: This team provides the hosts and hostesses for Vineyard events and Worship Celebrations. From parking lots to the coffee bar there job is to make sure that every guest of Vineyard feels welcomed.

KIDS CHURCH:  This team teaches ages 5-12 on Sunday mornings during the message part of the Worship Celebration in a fun interactive learning environment.

MONEY COUNTERS:  This team takes care of counting, sorting, and recording all of the offerings from the weekend.  

PASTOR'S RESEARCH:  This team of researchers is given specific target area of Biblical, demographic, and community study to compile for use in Sunday and mid-week messages.

PRAYER:  This team is trained to minister during Worship Celebrations at the altar after the message to pray with and for those who respond during a Worship Celebration. 

VOYAGE: This team assists our youth minister with our student ministry for ages 13-19.

WORSHIP TEAM:  This team is made up of instrumental and vocal musicians who with the Holy Spirit and the Worship leader facilitate intimate and inspiring worship of Almighty God. 

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

1. COMPLETE YOUR D.E.S.I.G.N. SELF-EVALUATION.

Then transfer your results to your Personal Profile form.

2.  SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTRY MENTOR.  

Mail your personal profile to the office and then call 587-2425 for an appointment.  Together you will select two or three ministry opportunities that best match your unique D.E.S.I.G.N.  

3.  CONTACT THE MINISTRY LEADER/ OVERSEER WHO LEADS THE MINISTRY YOU'VE SELECTED FOR POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT.  It is your responsibility to contact them.  They will be waiting to hear from you.  Do this within two weeks after your meeting with your Ministry Mentor while your ideas are still fresh in your mind.

BEGIN SERVING!

4.  ATTEND TRAININGS