SPIRITUAL GIFTS (24)
Have you ever stood at the foot of a tall skyscraper and marveled about how the architect ever envisioned it? Or pondered how much coordination it took to get it off the ground or keep it from tumbling down? Somebody “saw” that building a long time before construction ever began. Somebody understood the vision and translated it into plumbing, electricity, concrete, steel, glass,…Somewhere far away from the construction site, someone ordered the materials, filed the forms, made the decisions . . .
And, of course – the building would have never been completed had it not been for the workers who actually delivered the materials and did the physical labor. To get the job done everybody had to do his or her assigned part. That’s how the church is supposed to work, too. The support gifts help the church get things done! Not everyone who has one gift in this area automatically has any other gift, yet people with gifts of serving, helps or giving are often called to leadership or administrative roles.
Why? Because when people see their dedication to the task, desire to serve and love, and commitment to their church, servant models are asked to take on leadership or administrator roles. Sometimes they fit – sometimes they don’t.
A person with the motivational gift of Ruling/Administration has the ability to see the overall picture and clarify long-range goals. This is the final gift mentioned in the series we are studying from Romans 12:4-8
- 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body , and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. NIV
Of the great variety of men’s characters in the Church our method of serving God must depend on our capacities, endowments, position, and opportunities.
–(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
The Administrator:
- Has the ability to see the overall picture
- Can clarify long-range goals
- Can see and understand what needs to be done
- Knows who can do the job the best
- Likes to appoint the individuals to do them
-Administrators are able to visualize the final result of a major undertaking. – Nehemiah visualized the goal of removing the “great affliction and reproach” of God’s people by rebuilding the walls (Nehemiah 1:2-3; 2:5)
-They break down major goals into smaller, achievable tasks. – Nehemiah accomplished the huge task of rebuilding the walls by having many groups working on smaller sections. (Nehemiah 3:1-32)
-They know what resources are available and needed to reach a goal. – Nehemiah requested from the king resources needed to rebuild the walls: a certain time, letters of introduction, and timber. (Nehemiah 2:6-8)
-They often remove themselves from distracting details in order to focus on the ultimate goal. – Nehemiah did not get involved in the building itself but removed obstacles which would hinder the workers, such as removing financial pressures (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
-They are willing to endure reactions from others in order to achieve the ultimate goal. – Nehemiah had opposition from within and without in his efforts to rebuild the walls. (Nehemiah 4:8-18)
-They need loyalty and confidence from those who are being directed and served. – Nehemiah brought a great assembly of people against the nobles and rulers who discouraged the people. He required oaths of cooperation from them. (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
-They inspire and encourage workers by cheerfulness, approval, praise and challenges. – Nehemiah had a cheerful spirit (Nehemiah 2:1). He was skillful in challenging and encouraging his workers. (Nehemiah 4:14).
-They know what can be and what cannot be delegated to others. – Nehemiah delegated the work on the walls, but he retained the responsibility of dealing with the enemies guarding the walls. (Nehemiah 4:13)
-They are fulfilled by seeing the goal accomplished. – Nehemiah expressed his joy in the completed task by appointing singers and uniting the people in a revival and celebration. (Nehemiah 7:1-2; 8:1-18)
Administration can be used in some of the following ways:
- –Records and Statistical Data
- –Church Finance
- –Financial & Budgeting Resources
- –Office Administration
- –Insurance Committee
- –Priority Planning
- –Church Council
In addition to my own material I have included quotes from the following:
- C. Peter Wagner “Your Spiritural Gifts”
- Gordon Lindsay “All About the Gifts of the Spirit”
- Adult Education and Discipleship Ministries – FBC – Garland “Gifts are for Giving”
- Biblesoft Libraries
- Sandy Trice
- David Francis
Today's Word From God 