Finding Your Spiritual Gifts

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12: 6-8

I have often struggled to come up with my spiritual gifts because I consider myself average with a lot of my abilities. I always thought you had to be above average for your spiritual gift to have an impact. That is not true. We can improve on the spiritual gifts we have over time, and we should challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones. If you often struggle, like myself, to come up with what your spiritual gifts are, then consider using the Spiritual Gifts Assessment on the UMC website (https://www.umc.org/en/content/exploring-your-spiritual-gifts). The UMC website mentions 20 spiritual gifts. All of the gifts are needed for the upbuilding of the body of Christ.

The 20 gifts are:

Administration: Allows a person to organize people and resources

Apostleship: Reaching out to new groups and individuals

Compassion: Moves people to action on behalf of those in need

Discernment: Deep intuition and insight

Evangelism: Faith-sharing and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to those we meet

Exhortation: Offering encouragement, wise counsel, unflagging support, and empowerment

Faith: Confidence that God works all things together for the good

Giving: Providing resources needed to support God's will and plan

Healing: Channeling God's grace and healing love to those who are suffering

Helping: Support and behind-the-scenes effort

Interpretation of Tongues: Build bridges across cultural, generational, and language divides

Knowledge: Convert facts, data, and information into useful and import knowledge

Leadership: Enables people to stay focused on where God might be leading us

Miracles: Not doubting the power and presence of God in creation and are able to help others see and believe it

Prophecy: Being open for God to speak God's word through us

Servanthood: Doing for others

Shepherding: Mentoring and providing spiritual guidance

Teaching: Transform data and information into life changing knowledge

Tongues: Speak foreign languages and convey concepts they never formally studied

Wisdom: Understanding deeper meaning and applying knowledge, beliefs, and experience to every day situations

Lord, please help me explore new spiritual gifts over time and show me how I can use them daily for your will. Amen.

About Melissa Hall

Melissa has attended St. Thomas UMC since 2017. Her husband, Nathan, is the communication committee lead. They have a 5-year-old daughter named Everly. Outside of church, she is a software developer and enjoys walking/jogging.