Do we worry too much about gifts and skills in Christian ministry?
Last Thursday I gave a lift to my friends Pradeep and Jesse Kutty. One topic we discussed was what it means to be on a church staff. How do we know what to do with our time? Big question. We focused on the ways in which our gifts and experiences guide us into areas of serving.
However, reflecting on our conversation, it occurs to me there is a tension here. Maybe even a paradox.
Our gifts are important. They matter. We must use them, whether on staff or not (Romans 12.3-8). It is a great blessing to a church when its members put their gifts to work for God’s glory, the edification of the members, and in service to those seeking God. Additionally, much damage can and has been done to church communities by leaders who attempt to lead in a context for which they are not equipped or gifted.
Yet living by faith means we do not depend on our gifts, skills, or track record. Consider the following.
Moses protested that he wasn’t a good speaker (Exodus 4.10), but God gave him Aaron and promised His presence. Gideon thought of himself as the least in his family (Judges 6.15), yet God used him to deliver Israel. Jeremiah said he was too young to speak (Jeremiah 1.6–7), but God reassured him that He would put words in his mouth. The apostles were mostly unimpressive people (Acts 4.13), but they were empowered by the Spirit to proclaim the gospel.
Paul sums up the issue:
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1.27).
On the other hand, Aaron was called because he was a gifted speaker. Apollos was a gifted teacher when he was further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. Paul himself was a gifted rhetorician and highly educated in the Scriptures. It looks rather as if God calls the equipped, and equips the called.
Hence, the question: “How do we honour God by using the gifts he has given us, but at the same time live by faith, not depending on them?”
Let me know your thoughts.
Your brother, Malcolm
