Spiritual Gifts

Overview

The Bible tells us very clearly that God has blessed every person with spiritual gifts.  As a matter of fact, spiritual gifts are mentioned in a number of New Testament books such as Acts, 1 Corinthians, Romans, Luke and others.  We don’t do anything to obtain spiritual gifts; they are given by God’s grace and are intended to be used to further His kingdom.  Just as each of us has one body with many parts that work together, Christ is like a single Body (that is, all Christians) which has many parts; it is still one Body, even though it is made up of different parts.  We are each provided with the gifts that we need to “be” the part of Christ’s Body that God wants and has designed us to be.

At LUMC, we believe that one of the ways we grow in our faith is to discover and learn how to use our gifts.  As we discover and begin to use our gifts, God is honored, the Body of Christ is built up, and we begin to know a sense of fulfillment greater than any we can find in the world.  Through our Spiritual Gift Workshops we provide an opportunity for self discovery, and a time for lively discussion and fellowship.  You do not need to be a member to attend a workshop!  We welcome all those interested in spiritual development to attend one of the workshops listed below:

To sign up, email Peg Jackson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and she will contact you with details (please contact her at least two weeks prior to the session you wish to attend).

Got questions?  Please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Spiritual Gifts FAQ

What are Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual Gifts are God-given, and God expects us to use those gifts to Glorify Him; to further His Kingdom here on Earth.  Gifts are different from talents, like playing piano or having athletic skills.  Some examples of gifts are Faith, Leadership, Helps, Encouragement and Hospitality.  Every person has at least one spiritual gift while many folks have multiple gifts.

Why is it important to identify my Spiritual Gifts?

Understanding where you have been gifted by God helps you and LUMC’s leadership knows where you are best suited to serve – and perhaps just as important, where you should not.  One of our newer members who recently attended a workshop was surprised at the results.  She commented, “I’ve never thought of that ability as a gift, I just figured it came easy for everyone!”  What she learned is that an ability she took for granted was really a spiritual gift that God had chosen for her!

I completed an assessment several years ago; do I need to attend a workshop?

Yes, we would recommend that you do attend a workshop.  Although the assessment helps you discover your gifts, the workshop is designed to help you also recognize your own particular work style and determine what areas of ministry you are passionate about.  Each participant may also request a one-on-one consultation after the workshop to talk candidly about their interests.

I’m already involved in the life of the church, why should I attend?

Many members of our congregation (and some non-members) are very active which is awesome!  Taking part in a spiritual gift inventory might help you know for sure if you are serving in the best capacity for you.  Some of us may have been asked to serve on a committee that is outside of our gifts and we become frustrated, tired, uncomfortable or just plain miserable.  When we become aware of how God has gifted us, it frees us to not only say yes, but also to say no when it’s not a good fit for you.

LUMC is a very active church with many ministries.  Why do we think we need more?

LUMC is one of the most active churches in our community.  We have many members that give so generously of their time on a regular basis and for that, we truly thank God!  But our community has many needs and Christ is calling us to reach out and meet those needs.  We also know that there are individuals within our congregation who feel a passion for other ministries but may not know how to go about getting involved.  This process is meant to help each person understand where they feel called and serve in ways that come naturally for them.

Is this requirement of me as a member?

No, we are not going to ‘force’ anyone to attend.  We hope that each person who has the desire to follow Christ and continue to grow in their faith will find a workshop that fits their schedule but no one is “keeping score”!

I’m not currently a member of LUMC but attend service regularly.  May I participate?

Absolutely!  We do not require church membership to attend.  Discovering your gifts is part of your own personal spiritual journey and we encourage you to participate regardless of membership.

I am not currently attending church at LUMC, may I still attend?

Yes!  We welcome anyone who has a desire to discover their gifts.  We do not require that you attend LUMC to attend a workshop.  Discovering your gifts is part of your own personal spiritual journey and we encourage you to participate regardless of church attendance or affiliation.

What kind of time commitment do I need to make?

LUMC offers the Spiritual Gifts Identification workshops in two, 2-hour sessions or a single 3-hour session.  Although this sounds like a large time commitment, we have never had a single participant indicate that did not indicate that the workshop was a lot of fun and the time flew by.  And, depending on the number of participants that sign up for your workshop, we may finish early.  And we always allow extra time for each session for food and fellowship!!

I have young children so it’s difficult for me to attend such classes (or for me to attend with my spouse).

We understand that parents of young children have very full schedules.  If you need child care, you only need to give us advance notice and we’ll make sure it is available.  Our youth are always looking for opportunities to earn service hours to better position themselves for confirmation and/or scholarships.  Any free will offering you may wish to donate will always go toward youth mission trips as well.  Although couples can certainly split up and attend different workshops, it really is a lot more fun if you attend together!

I’d like to sign up for a workshop, how do I go about that?

For a list of current workshops, please click on this link or contact Peg Jackson (see contact information below) or call the church office.

Got other questions?

Contact Peg Jackson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 216-313-7956.