{THEOLOGY} Spiritual Gifts
Posted by: wulf <wulf@...>
> James mentioned S.H.A.P.E. classes. New England is
> usually very slow to catch the trends that sweep the
> land. I have no clue what those classes are.
Old England, too. I've not heard of the SHAPE program
but I'd be interested in some references. A little Googling
suggests that:
a) it hails from Saddleback church... and I know we've got
at least one representative of them onlist
b) it stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality,
and Experience
However, I'd like to know what people are talking about as
opposed to what Google returns when I ask for "SHAPE
spiritual gifts".
I'm interested because I've done a lot in my church to
promote gift orientated ministry. We've used Willow
Creek's "Network" course, which emphasises fitting
passion and personality with spiritual gifts to get the right
people serving in the right places for the right reasons. At
present, our main tool is based on material from the
Natural Church Development organisation, and does
include both "Martyrdom" and "Voluntary Poverty".
My perspective is that picking the right 'tool' and finding
some labels, while having an impact on our
understanding (theology), is not as important as
recognising that God has equipped each one of us (Eph
2:10) and getting on with working out our 'ministries' in
practise.
I think that the various gift lists in the Bible (four main
passages in the New Testament, sometimes expanded
with a smattering of verses from other places) are
indicative of the kind of areas we might see gifts in.
However, when it come to application, things get
somewhat fuzzy.
For example, can I claim to have a spiritual gift of music?
I find it a fulfilling area to work in and I know others have
been blessed and encouraged by what I have achieved
through it. On the other hand, it's not in those NT lists -
could it be my particular way of working out gifts of
teaching, encouragement and prophecy? Does it matter if
it's leading me to serve effectively and to God's glory,
without holding me back from following non-musical
avenues that might be appropriate?
The courses I've seen have their value as long as they
spark ideas that lead to effective service. The labels
themselves don't necessarily explain much more about
who you are than a birth certificate says about the life
you lead.
Wulf
--
Wulf Forrester-Barker <//<
NB. new preferred address: wulf@web-den.org.uk
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Website: http://www.web-den.org.uk/