Spiritual Gi s Finding What You Do Best in the World First Presbyterian Church Lancaster
What is your unique contribu on to the whole? When have you experienced working for the common good?
Forma on Discovery Series Introduc on to FPC Spiritual Forma on Series When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus Christ answered and said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. And the second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' (Mark 12:30-31) This may sound simple enough. Yet this turns out to be the most difficult and challenging task any human being undertakes. Following Jesus into the Kingdom of Heaven is not for the faint of heart. In fact the reason non-discipleship is so popular in the church today is because it is far easier to love God with something less than one's all. However, I think the challenge to loving God with one's all is not due to unwillingness but rather to unawareness. How can I love God with all that I am if I do not know or acknowledge my wholeself? I cannot offer back to God what I am unaware that I possess. Regardless of the reasons, those unknown or unseen parts of the self long to know God and be known by God. Dead places long for life. Wounded places long for healing. Empty places long for sa sfac on. Confused places long for knowledge. Ignored places long for divine affirma on. And they will find a way to get what they want one way or another. If these unno ced places of the self are finding what they seek in something other than God, this can cause turmoil or unrest in one's life. Because Jesus Christ came to bring abundant life to all people, he can be trusted to lead you into the fullest knowledge of who you are. Discovering all that you are now opens you to the possibility of loving God with your whole self. Seeing the way God loves the real you should invite you to love and accept yourself even more. And loving yourself will make you a be er lover of your neighbors. This pa ern is the core of God's work to conform us to the likeness of Christ for the sake of others. con nued
We have created three guidebooks - Sacred Pathways, The Enneagram, and Spiritual Gi s - to help those ready to explore the unknown. Each of these programs is intended to help you move ahead on your journey of awareness. Sacred Pathways will help you become aware of how you best know and love God. The Enneagram will help you become aware of ways to know and love yourself. And Spiritual Gi s will help you become aware of what mo vates you to know and love others. These booklets are short and are not intended to answer all of your ques ons. In fact they may only give you more ques ons. Hopefully what you discover in them will prompt you to take your me and go deeper along their paths. And since there are many people like you in our congrega on using these guidebooks, we hope that you will find traveling companions - others with whom you can discuss and grow together. May you find peace and joy on your journey with Jesus Christ. May you find that loving God with all you are is true life. And may you become more and more like Jesus for the sake of others through careful and pa ent communion with the Holy Spirit. the FPC Spiritual Formation Team
What do you wish you could be doing more of? More o en than not, we have become too busy to consider this ques on. To really answer it requires me, reflec on and usually a conversa on partner. But the answer to this ques on could be the most important factor in making life count. At the source of the answer may be the discovery of what mo vates us to love God and love others - the two greatest commandments. But did you know that at the source of the answer also may be God? Mo va ons and passions come to us from God as part of God's divine and constant crea vity. The writer of Psalms 37 tells us that when we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. This means that our desires - those passions and mo va ons - are placed in our hearts by the One whom we seek with our whole heart. Thus, those mo va ons and passions should be acknowledged and nurtured with great energy. They are uniquely ours. And the world may be wai ng for us to iden fy these mo va ons because it is God's way of blessing the world. Did you catch that? These mo va ons point us in the direc on of God's plan for our lives - to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Some choose to believe that people are mo vated by roughly the same things. Money, sex and power are usually the big three. But in this guidebook we are talking about an en rely different, much more unique mo va on for life. This kind of mo va on is directed toward others. It may be the passion to give, speak out for jus ce, help others, or organize and lead. These othercentered passions bring joy to life, bless others and magnify God's crea ve genius. As people seek to find contentment and sa sfac on in the work they do, the purposes and beauty of God are displayed for all to see. There is no career or job big enough to sa sfy that kind of calling.
What is a Spiritual Gi? Behind these mo va ons is the biblical concept of our Spiritual Gi s. Romans 12:3-8 describes gi s given by God to each human being. According to Paul Walker, author of the ar cle, Holy Spirit Gifs and Power They seem to characterize basic 'mo va ons,' that is, inherent tendencies that characterize each different person by reason of the Creator' s unique workmanship in their ini al gi ing. They provide the mo va onal impulse for a person's life. A Spiritual Gi is a God-given ability whereby God empowers a person to love others. It is o en greater than one's skill or talent. Recipients of the work of a spiritual gi o en benefit from God' s blessing in ways that go beyond human capability. But o en, people find great pleasure, joy and sa sfac on as they employ their spiritual gi s. When this happens, those people o en remark when, I have found my calling, or I am doing what I was made to do, or I know what it means to do something for which you would not have to pay me. These responses can be a sure sign of God's presence. The word 'enthusiasm' literally means God in us. When people are not opera ng in the realm of their spiritual gi s, there is lack of mo va on and increased in apathy. People who func on according to their mo va onal gi s experience job sa sfac on. They may wear out, but they are less likely to burn out (see Joachim). Therefore, knowing and studying mo va onal gi s can prove useful to knowing one's job-fit in addi on to affirming a life's calling. How Do I Discover my Spiritual Gi? Before someone can iden fy their spiritual gi (s), they must believe that God has given them such a thing. Is it your conclusion that you have a place in the world and a part in God's work? This belief moves a person to pray seeking to know the unique purpose for which they are alive. Asking God to make this known to us is our wise first-step because God is not accustomed
to hiding this knowledge from us. While many spiritual gi s tests and inventories exist, we recommend using The Mo va onal Gi s assessment ( www.gi test.org) by Dorena DellaVecchio PhD. This claims to be the first sta s cally validated test of its kind and deals directly with the mo va onal gi s of Romans 12. (For those interested in this study see: www.goo.glonuk84) But an online assessment is only a limited way to find one's spiritual gi. People have been discovering their spiritual gi s long before the inven on of modern scien fic tes ng. Thus we encourage those who want to know their gi to talk to other people who understand spiritual gi s. As more and more people in our congrega on become fluent with the language of mo va onal gi s there will be a growing popula on of helpers. Start by asking what others think your gi s are. Ask people how they experience God's blessing through you. Frederick Buechner once said, The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet. Trying new things, breaking out of old pa erns, can also be a way to explore spiritual gi s. Some mes people fall into a trap believing the work of God must be grueling, hard and painful. It is sad to see people serving God merely out of duty, finding no delight in their work. Is there something you have always wanted to try? Or maybe you will try something that scares you a li le and discover it fits you be er than you could have ever imagined. The key in all of this is to pay a en on to what brings you the most joy in your work. Believers bearing witness to the delight that they have found in fulfilling a Divine purpose are like signposts on a journey toward the with-god life. This should not mean that life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit is worry-free, comfortable or easy. There is vast difference between a sa sfying life and a life of ease. Instead, those who find their calling are like Olympic runner Eric Liddell who said, When I run I feel [God's] pleasure.
Motivational Gifts Survey Version 8.0 2005 Dorena DellaVecchio, Ph.D. Thank you for visi ng gi test.org. The mo va onal gi s survey is the first sta s cally validated instrument of its kind. This survey can be used in organiza ons and churches to provide leaders with tools to help place people in posi ons that best suit their Godgiven gi s. This can also help you learn more about yourself and iden fy areas that match your abili es and interests where you will feel most comfortable, effec ve, and sa sfied. You will receive the most accurate and useful results if you think carefully about each item and read each response carefully. [A fuller descrip on of the mo va onal gi s can be found on the Choose one of the following numeric responses for each of the statements below: 0 - this is absolutely not true of you 1 - this is true only in rare situa ons 2 - this is some mes true 3 - this is usually true 4 - this is true almost all of the me 5 - this is true all of the me 1. I give generously and joyfully to people in need. 2. I can create order out of chaos. 3. I coordinate people and resources to get things done. 4. I ac vely support organiza ons that help the less fortunate. 5. I do useful, helpful things for people. 6. I enjoy research projects. 7. I have an extraordinary ability to sympathize with those who are suffering.
8. I am candid and open in expressing what I think and feel. 9. What approximate percent of your income to you donate? (mark 0 for 0%-3%, 1 for 4%-6%, 2 for 7%-9%, 3 for 10%-12%, 4 for 13%-15%, 5 for 16% and above.) 10. I show my feelings by what I do for others more than what I say to them. 11. I tend to analyze everything. 12. Crying with others and sharing their pain is a valuable use of my me. 13. I have an extraordinary ability to be around people who are in pain. 14. I prefer doing a job instead of delega ng it to someone else to complete. 15. I am a bold person. 16. I make people feel joyful. 17. I enjoy the challenge of establishing new procedures for others to use. 18. I am a talka ve person. 19. I love to study. 20. I always speak the truth, even at the risk of confron ng my superiors. 21. I o en offer to assist people in prac cal ways. 22. When I see people in pain, my heart forces me to help them find relief. 23. I am a very social person. 24. I am frugal in my personal spending so I have extra to give to others. 25. I enjoy helping others to learn. 26. Compared to other people I know, I spend a larger amount of me consoling those who are hur ng. 27. I make decisions and make things happen quickly. 28. I always speak the truth, even if it causes pain or hurt feelings. 29. I am energized by enlivening people.
Scoring Sheet Record your answers for each item next to its corresponding number in the table below. Then, add them up in the Total row. 2005 Dorena DellaVecchio. Printed by permission. A Brief Summary of the Mo va onal Gi s gi test.org website.] Perceiving: The God-given ability to discern and proclaim truth. The ability to quickly and accurately discern good and evil and the ability to reveal truth for understanding, correc on, or edifica on. Serving: The God-given ability to iden fy the unmet needs involved in a task and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired goals. It can be the ability to elevate any need for another that will help or free that person to work more effec vely. Teaching: The God-given ability to clearly communicate the truths con nued
and applica ons of God's Word in such a way that others will learn. It is also the extraordinary ability to discern, analyze, and deliver informa on and truth so that others will learn. Encouraging: The God-given ability to minister words of comfort, consola on, encouragement, and counsel in such a way that others feel helped and healed. Also, the ability to call forth the best in others through encouragement and mo va on. Giving: The God-given ability to understand the material needs of others and then meet those needs generously. In can also be the ability to manage one's resources of income, me, energy, and skills to exceed what is considered to be a reasonable standard for giving. Ruling: The God-given ability to set goals in accordance with God's purpose for the future and to communicate these goals to others in a way that they harmoniously work together for the glory of God. But also, the ability to set future long-term goals and communicate those goals in such a way that others will listen and work to achieve them. Mercy: The God-given ability to feel genuine empathy and compassion for people who suffer distressing physical, mental or emo onal problems and to translate that compassion into cheerfully done deeds. It can also be the ability to feel and to act upon genuine empathy for others who suffer distressing physical, mental, emo onal, social, and spiritual pain. Most authors on this subject believe that people have a Gi -Mix or Profile. This means that everyone has a first, second and third highest scoring. This explains the different ways people respond to situa ons and job opportuni es. Therefore, while there are seven mo va onal gi s, the way to apply the gi s are limitless.
What to do when you iden fy your Spiritual Gi (s) Offer Your Gi s Back to God The mo va onal spiritual gi s o en correlate with exper se and talents. Such proficiencies might make it easy to affirm one's gi s and then con nue with human strength alone. However, for these gi s to bring the greatest delight to God, ourselves and to others, it is crucial that we learn how to exercise our gi s in the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, these are the Spirit's gi s given to you. So, give thanks for the gi s you have. Get to know the weaknesses associated with your par cular way of using these gi s. Ask God for help. And welcome the Holy Spirit to mul ply this gi beyond your own human ability. Sharpen Your Knowledge and Use of Your Gi s Finding a pastor or coach to help explore your gi mix will deepen your ability to impact the Kingdom of Heaven. Develop gi s through reading, a ending workshops or seminars, and by ge ng specialized training. We also encourage you to find others who are exploring their gi s, especially people who have gi s like yours, and form a learning community. Learning together can be fun and will keep you accountable to grow beyond your comfort level. Be Careful Not to Limit Your Iden ty in Your Gi s People who say I am a teacher or I am a ruler, iden fying with their gi, are suscep ble to becoming stuck. Spiritual gi s are meant to expand God's work on earth as well as open new paths for God's people. Remember, the aim of our study of gi s is not for the sake of the gi s alone. Our aim is love - to extend the love of God to others and for the love of God to grow in us. Use Knowledge of Your Gi Mix to Say 'No' to Serving Outside Your Calling Once your gi mix has been affirmed, you will want to begin doing more of what only you can do and passing up invita ons to
do things that might be someone else's calling. It is okay to say 'no.' Saying 'no' lets us say 'yes' to those things for which we were created. And remember, we rob people of the joy of doing what they have been created to do when we take on the business of others. Combine Your Knowledge of Your Gi Mix with Con nued Learning About Your True Self If you have not already done so, use the other two guidebooks in our series - Sacred Pathways and The Enneagram - to learn more about yourself. These resources are important tools to assist you in taking more confident steps in your with-god life. If you believe that God has a calling for you - a voca on that goes beyond any job descrip on - then you will want to put effort into heeding that call. This means knowing how best to connect with God, how to care for your whole-self through spiritual prac ces, and how to serve others in ways that fit the purpose for which you were created. Calling Lab Once you have completed these three guidebooks, we invite you to experience our Calling Lab. This begins with an interview with someone trained to help you hear the call of God for your life. The story of your life told to someone trained to listen filters out the clu er that distracts from really hearing the call of God. We hope this interview will be a giant step toward finding your place in the work of God. Maybe you will join a work already in progress. Or perhaps the world is wai ng for you to start something fresh and new that will welcome others into the mission of God's love. A er comple ng this guidebook, let us know what you think! Contact Dan Snyder Pastor of Spiritual Forma on dan@fpclive.org
For Further Reading Bugbee, B. What You Do Best in the Body of Christ: Discovering Your Spiritual Gi s, Personal Style, and God-given Passion. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. (2005). Fortune, D. & Fortune, K. Discovering Your God-given Gi s. Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books. (2009). Joachim, R. L. (1984). Rela onship between four temperament types and nineteen spiritual gi s. (Doctoral disserta on, Andrews University, 1984). Disserta on Abstracts Interna onal, 46-05A. p. 1239. Lewis, N.P., (1992). A correla onal study of Myers-Briggs personality types and Naden's spiritual gi s clusters among members of selected southern Bap st churches. Fort Worth, TX. Winston, B. & DellaVecchio, D. Do leaders possess high levels of all seven Romans 12 gi s? Regent University, Working Paper. Zigarelli, M (2000). Faith at Work. Chicago: Moody Press.
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