God has given many gifts to the church; most of these come through people. The Bible teaches that the understanding and proper use of spiritual gifts is essential to the functioning of the church, since such manifestations are given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). The Bible also teaches that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 9:29). Believers are called to fan into flame the gifts that are within them (2 Timothy 1:6), and to ensure that all spiritual gifts are used in a manner that is fitting and orderly (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Different traditions within Christianity put different emphases on different gifts. Over the years I have taken several spiritual gifts inventories, each of which examined different sets of spiritual gifts. One of the most complete is the Wagner-Modified Houts Questionnaire, which inventories 27 spiritual gifts (see C. Peter Wagner, Your Spiritual Gifts can Help your Church Grow,  Regal Books, 1994). Based on this approach, my spiritual gifts can be categorized in the following three areas:

My motivational gifts (Romans 12) are leadership, teaching, and encouragement.

My ministry gift (Ephesians 4) is that of a pastor/teacher.

My "gracelets" (1 Corinthians 12) tend to be in the areas of discernment and prophecy.

Next:  Spiritual Reflections