General Areas of Gifting & Service
The lists of spiritual roles and ministries Paul gives provide a starting-point for looking at what God may be calling me to do. Some of these may appear out of the question, while others appear attractive and within my capabilities. The key is to recognise that when God calls someone to do a job for him, he always gives them the ability and anointing to do it.
Natural Abilities & Supernatural Anointing
It is important to recognise the difference between a natural ability and a supernatural anointing.
Natural ability is something we seem to have from childhood and is a mix of genetic inheritance and specific training and experiences. They include such things as physical strength and skill; ability with words and expressing things; practical skills in terms of making things or fixing things; drawing and creative abilities; musical gifts; intellectual abilities such as mathematics, scientific knowledge or languages; a naturally compassionate nature for helping people; etc
Supernatural anointing on the other hand is a gifting we seem to have for certain situations involving our relationship with God. We find, for example, when speaking to someone that God shows us things about them that help to explain why s/he is having problems; at the end of a chat, the person says what a help we have been, in spite of the fact we may have simply listened to him/her sharing his/her problems. The key is that God blesses others through the spiritual anointing on what we are doing.
General Areas of Ministry & Service
Below are some general areas of activity in which to seek confirmation as to your particular role.
PRACTICAL work such as the ability to get a technical problem solved or provide practical help eg fixing electrical or plumbing problems for the elderly or for a missionary organisation.
It is more than just a natural ability - God seems to bless others through what you do at a practical level.
ADMINISTRATIVE gifting - the ability to see the steps involved in doing a job and organising things so the job is done efficiently and to the highest standard
PASTORAL WORK including getting alongside folk who are having problems and showing the compassion of Christ by listening, sharing the Word of God, praying and perhaps offering godly counsel
TEACHING/PREACHING explaining the word of God to people in ways they understand and which build up the Body
PRAYER & INTERCESSORY MINISTRY involving praying for people and situations at the personal, local and national level as the Holy Spirit leads
EVANGELISM involves reaching out to the unchurched with the Good News of the gospel in ways that result in people turning to Christ.
It includes a variety of different gifts such as drama, music, puppetry, dance, street theatre, etc
CHURCH PLANTING - MISSIONARY/APOSTOLIC service in taking the gospel to areas where there is no Christian witness.
It involves the idea of 'being sent out' by your own fellowship to take the Good News of Jesus to those who don't know him yet
HOSPITALITY is a form of Friendship Evangelism where God blesses others through your willingness to share your home with them.
HEALING MINISTRY of various kinds, including prayer as well as working within a recognised organisation such as the NHS or a private nursing establishment
DELIVERANCE MINISTRY bringing release to individuals in mental, emotional or spiritual bondage to demonic spirits (as opposed to suffering from psychiatric disorders)
FINANCIAL SUPPORT of ministry is a way of giving to the work of the gospel for those who have the ability to make money and bless others through their generosity
PROPHETIC MINISTRY involving speaking out words from God to the church
HELPS & ACTS OF MERCY covers the area of reaching out with the love of Jesus to people who need help and have never experienced unconditional love.
It might include soup runs to homeless folk on the streets; reaching out to drug addicts, alcoholics or prostitutes; running refuges for battered women; or working within one of the caring agencies
MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT like Barnabas whose name means "Son of encouragement" (ACTS 4:35).
PRAISE & WORSHIP in words, music, drama, flower arranging, poetry, painting, photography, dance, or mime, helping others to praise and worship God for his amazing grace
