Distinguishing between spirits is a less-obvious gift. Perhaps it is also a less-common one. From what I read in Scripture, such distinguishing is given to one person at a time. It is added to the leadership gift they already practice, during a specific situation when other people in a church or congregation are actively
Do You Giggle While You Give? Giving is a gift of opportunity from God. Do you giggle while you give? I’m not talking about the times you’ve engineered a white elephant gag gift for a relative at a holiday party. Though the reaction when your very proper maiden aunt opens a box explosively stuffed with
Encouragement is an Essential Gift Every Day Encouragement is an essential gift every day. There may have been more than a few of you who’ve been thinking: “When is Heidi going to get practical with this nearly never-ending gift list?” Today, Tuesday July 7, is one of those days. Encouragement is an essential gift every
God’s Gifts Are Not Only for Administration Guess what? God’s gifts are not only for administration. Isn’t that a relief? Since He knows and has planned every moment of our lives, the Holy Spirit equips us uniquely to be effective members of God’s kingdom. This doesn’t mean that developing and properly using that primary Spirit-chosen
Teachers are a Church Administration Essential Teachers are a church administration essential, even today. The early church in the vicinity of Jerusalem had the option of enlisting reliable people who had followed Jesus through his entire ministry to teach those who believed at Pentecost, and afterward. Under the supervision of the apostles, and perhaps assigned
Prophet: A Role for Church Administration In the list of personnel for church administration, the role of prophet ranks immediately behind apostle. Why would prophets still be necessary now that Christ came? He’s the one all of biblical prophecy points toward. Maybe there are answers to that question in the dictionary definition of the role.
Apostle: A Position in Early Church Administration At first glance, Apostle is an odd name for a position in Early Church administration. The word comes from Greek, and means “sent one.” An idea somewhat like an ambassador or an emissary would be today. Why am I continuing the discussion of the gift of administration by
Administration is a gift from God for the church. It’s also a gift that looks odd at first glance. As people in this world we’ve flawed, we’re highly likely to feel annoyance about administration because it can cramp our style. However, it’s obvious our urge for freedom doesn’t always bring good results. What’s good to
The gift of translation makes languages effective. On Pentecost God provided instantaneous perfect translation for Peter’s sermon to the crowds in Jerusalem. These days, however, it isn’t available. Why? I think God gave the events of Pentecost to jumpstart His church. Twelve disciples faced the task of teaching the entire world the Good News. Adding
Languages are a gift to build the church. I’m beginning this next series of gifts with languages because they formed the first gift given in early church history. Pentecost was God’s miraculous act of translation, undoing the incident at Babel. There, he confused the language of the world’s people. It stopped them from completing their