As the Pastor—I am wondering if my Gifts can really match my role? Do I have the “RIGHT” Gifts?--Spiritual Gifts FAQs

Question:

As the Pastor—I am wondering if my Gifts can really match my role? Do I have the “RIGHT” Gifts?

 

Reply:

Typically, any gifts can match a pastoral role, depending on the needs of the community to which that person is called. What is your church like? What kind of pastoral leadership is most needed in your church’s current season?

 For example, someone I know who just took on an Executive Pastor role at his church recently tested for the following gifts: Hospitality, Teaching, Discernment, Wisdom, Administration, Apostleship, Knowledge, and Prophecy. He has been on the pastoral team first unofficially while working in the tech industry, then as a pastor, and now in his current role. He is known for being both wise and kind (gifts of Wisdom and Hospitality) while also being the person to point out inconsistencies and to demand universal accountability (gifts of Knowledge, Discernment, and Prophecy). He’s recognized for his teaching abilities (gift of Teaching) and for the organizational mind and heart he brings to the table (gift of Administration).

 Another person who serves as Missions Pastor in a challenging church-planting context has gifts of Discernment, Healing, Shepherding, Evangelism, and Helps. Evangelism is likely at least part of the reason for his current assignment. Shepherding and Discernment are useful as he leads the congregation in outreach involvement while also seeking to discover God’s call upon them as a Body (one church cannot do everything that’s needed in a community). Healing adds to his effectiveness in a needy context. Helps is always helpful!

 A new ordination candidate who worked first at a new church and now in a church in an international setting has Faith, Teaching, Discernment, Knowledge, and Mercy as her top gifts. Faith has helped her make these risky moves. Teaching and Knowledge have come to the fore in each setting. Discernment and Mercy shape her ministry past and present.

 A lead pastor who is a former missionary and former associate pastor for Missions has gifts of Evangelism, Apostleship, Discernment, Prophecy, and Tongues. Evangelism and Apostleship have taken him to all these places with enthusiasm and energy for starting new things. His Discernment is useful in helping him see what’s amiss and his Prophecy gift guides him in speaking truth even when it is uncomfortable or unwelcome.

 A pastor serving as a full-time hospital chaplain exhibits the following gifts: Faith, Mercy, Exhortation, Intercession, and Wisdom. Certainly Faith, Mercy, Exhortation, and Intercession are terribly useful in the context of visiting those who are ill or dying. Wisdom is welcome in providing clarity on what to say and do and when.

 A new lead pastor in a large church has top gifts of Evangelism, Teaching, Miraculous Powers, Knowledge, and Shepherding. This is a different mix than that of his predecessor. His former right-hand person who left in frustration is a pastor with Teaching, Exhortation, Mercy, Administration, Knowledge. (Perhaps too much competition between their common gifts? Perhaps lack of respect/affirmation for the Administration gift by the newer leader? Perhaps a personality/behavioral style difference? Perhaps all of the above? Perhaps God’s plan to bring in someone with different gifts to complement the new pastor’s?) The person—in the ordination process--now serving as his right-hand person, has Faith, Tongues, Shepherding, Exhortation, Healing, Leadership, and Wisdom. (Things are going well so far, likely initially because this person will put up with a LOT with the gift of Faith. Perhaps this is also a better fit for the team?)

 A mega-church Pastor of Equipping and Connection shows gifts of Hospitality, Leadership, Administration, Exhortation, Teaching, and Wisdom. For the role of Equipping/Connection, Hospitality and Exhortation would be key. Leadership, Administration, Teaching, and Wisdom help this person envision, plan, and carry out an effective ministry.

 So, as you see, with just this sampling of pastors, there is no list of gifts that’s the same across the board. In fact, there is no gift that cuts across all of them. They do not all have Shepherding nor Leadership nor Evangelism nor Apostleship nor Hospitality nor Mercy nor Faith. The setting in which they serve likely needs the gifts they have and/or the Lord has specially gifted them in this season with the mix of gifts they will use in that place and with those people.

Take a moment to thank the Lord for the gifts you DO have. Ask Him for clarity on how He desires you use these gifts to His glory and for the betterment of your church and community. Pray for those who are differently gifted to join you in ministry, rounding out with the service that you cannot provide.

Praying for you as you lead forward.

Important resources:

 

 

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.

 

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis. 

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Shirley Giles Davisgift of pastor, gift of shepherding, gifts and pastoral roles, leadership spiritual gifts, leadership gifts, hospital chaplain gifts, mission pastor gifts, pastor of equipping and connection, understanding gifts, understanding spiritual gifts, Ephesians 4:11-13, apest