Friday, July 8th, 2005
In thinking through an approach to spiritual gifts I’m coming to the conclusion that our teaching in this area needs to be invitational and permission giving rather than prescriptive. Speaking with a number of people I’ve picked up a feeling of resistance to being told that “we should” or “we must”. That’s a bit of a challenge to preachers isn’t it.
So what does it look like when we inspire, motivate and give permission for people to express the spiritual gifts that God has given them? Do we need to start from a list? Inventories can be helpful in naming gifts that people had not recognised or valued. But in some cases it might be a case of starting with the stories of each person and discerning the ways in which God is gifting that person. We might in the process come up with a few spiritual gifts that have never made it onto any inventory.
Paul, in his writing in 1 Corinthians, seems to be encouraging the Christians of Corinth to value each others gifts. And so he deliberately lists gifts that may not have occurred to his readers. In introducing this topic in the Uniting Church its been fascinating to see the response to what we usually call the ’supernatural’ or ’spectacular’ gifts of miracles, healing, tongues, discernment of spirits, and capacity to ‘cast out spirits’. Uniting Church culture often discourages consideration of these gifts for fear of offending people with these “out-of-date” practices. I, however, am unapologetic about including them, as I believe that their inclusion is a learning point for us, helping us value those who are more comfortable with ‘charismatic’ or ‘pentecostal’ ministry and theology.
Tags: charismatic, post-charismatic, spiritual gifts, Spirituality, Uniting Church
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Tuesday, June 21st, 2005
When I’ve taught courses on spiritual gifts I’ve usually come across people who grapple with low self esteem. They look at the list of spiritual gifts in the inventory and say “I don’t recognise myself in here.” And then there’s people who avoid identifying strengths for fear of putting themselves forward and being found lacking. And then there’s those who compare themselves with their more ‘gifted’ brothers and sisters.
The process of exploring spiritual gifts need not be one of fitting people into boxes. At it’s best this can be a permission-giving process. Permission to let go of fear. Fear of not measuring up. Fear of offending. Fear of failing. Fear of shining even.
I’ve used a quote often attributed to Nelson Mandela but in fact from the pen of Marianne Williamson.
“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Tags: charismatic, Marianne Williamson, postcharismatic, spiritual gifts, Spirituality
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Friday, June 17th, 2005
I’m in the middle of re-publishing a course on discovering and using God’s gifts. The course was written by a colleague back in 1998 so it needs a bit of updating.
However as I start re-packaging the material I realise there are some questions I need to explore.
First of all. Why do we talk about ’spiritual’ gifts? Aren’t all gifts from God? Do we need to have a distinction between a natural inclination to provide backup help and a supernatural capacity to provide backup help? I’m wondering if we might be continuing an unnatural division that started when Paul attempted to correct an over-emphasis on supernaturalism in the Corinthian church?
Does every Christian have at least one spiritual gift? I’m told this comes from the passage where Paul says “and to every one God gives a different gift”. I have a hunch that Paul was outlining the fact God equips the church in many many ways. No one is the same. Each person is unique and offers a distinct contribution to the people of God’s work in the world.
Do individual Christians possess spiritual gifts? Or do they belong to the whole church and get shared around as the Spirit enables people to respond to need? Obviously some people specialise in certain areas.
What are spiritual gifts for? From my time in charismatic circles I was taught that spiritual gifts were for the building up of the body. “For what?” I ask. What’s all the body building designed to strengthen us for? It’s for engaging in the mission of God in the world surely. And that’s where the gifts of God really come into play. Not just in worship services and home groups.
Should we stick with the inventories provided by Paul in Romans, Ephesians and 1 Corinthians? Or can we start recognising the huge varieties of giftedness that God creates in the 21st century church?
Milton Stanley’s posted some of these questions over at his Transforming Sermons site.
Tags: charismatic, post-charismatic, spiritual gifts, Spirituality, Theology
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