The gift of administration is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. This gift is seen in those who either like to organize or delegate to others. They like to evaluate what needs to be done, then design systems or give responsibilities to those who can get the job done. Those with this gift see the big picture and work to keep everyone on track.

In a word: Initiator

Caution: Avoid thinking everyone will get involved

Scripture reference: Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 6: 1-7

Opportunities: Office Support, First Impressions, Family Ministry, Tech Team

The gift of giving is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. This gift tends to be seriously concerned about financial matters. Givers are sensitive to how money is spent and saved. They tend to be conscientious and conservative.

In a word: Steward

Caution: The power of money

Scripture reference: Romans 12:6, 8b; Acts 4:32-35; 2 Corinthians 9: 7-8

Opportunities: Missions & Outreach

The gift of discernment is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. This gift is evident in those who have unusual abilities to see through a lot of confusion and to pinpoint problems and solutions. They are concerned about right and wrong. They distinguish between good and evil, truth and error.

In a word: Listener/Perceiver

Caution: Too critical or too quick to share

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 12:7, 10b; 2:14

Opportunities: Prayer Ministry Team, Small Group Leader

The gift of helps is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. This gift is to help other members be more effective in using their gift within the body. When you think of believers who serve faithfully behind the scenes, you think of those with the gift of helps/ministry/serving. They are interested in blessing others to serve the Lord. They love to help others. Flexible, they adapt to many challenges.

In a word: Selfless

Caution: Takes on too much

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 6:1-3; Romans 16: 1-2

Opportunities: Facilities, Tech team, Cleaning, Landscaping

The gift of evangelism is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. With the gift of evangelism believers feel compelled to win souls. They have the ability to communicate the gospel very effectively. Their concern for witnessing to a lost and dying world is evident. They desire to be involved in ministries to reach people for Christ.

In a word: Dynamic

Caution: Zeal without knowledge

Scripture reference: Ephesians 4:7, 11; Acts 8:26-40; Luke 19:1-10

Opportunities: Worship Team, Family Ministry, First Impressions, Youth Ministry

The gift of hospitality is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. This gift is that special interest in opening one’s home for food and fellowship, or to provide a place to stay for someone in need. Those with the gift of hospitality seem to always be ready and willing to invite guests over or offer their homes for a place to meet for any occasion. They tirelessly serve to make people comfortable and encouraged.

In a word: Sociable

Caution: Take on too much and become worn out

Scripture reference: 1 Peter 4:9-10; Acts 16:13-15; Luke 14: 12 –14

Opportunities: First Impressions, Events, Small Group Host, Young Adult Host

The gift of exhortation is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of exhortation/encouraging is lifting others up. They are compelled to give advice. As counselors, they seem to have steps of action to share. They bless others with a strong sense of concern. Encouragers enjoy using their communication skills to share specific insights.

In a word: Encourager

Caution: Talks too much

Scripture reference: Romans 12:6, 8; Acts 11:23-24; Hebrews 10:24-25

Opportunities: First Impressions, Worship Team, Prayer Ministry Team, Women’s/Men’s Small Groups, Family Ministry Team

The gift of knowledge is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of knowledge is a supernatural revelation of certain facts in the mind of God, which gives instant and specific information that one would have no other way of knowing except from God. It is the ability to receive specific truth from the Word of God.

In a word: Divine Insights

Caution: Make others feel inferior or ignorant

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 12: 7-8, 8:1b-2; Mark 2:6-8; John 1:45-50

Opportunities: Men’s/Women’s Small Group

The gift of faith is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of faith is often found in those with the obvious ability to trust God in the most adverse circumstances. Those with the gift of faith have a deeper dependence upon God and His Word. They encourage others to act upon their faith and challenge everyone to increase their faith.

In a word: Optimist

Caution: Overly trusting

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 12:7, 9; Matthew 8:5-16; Hebrews 11:1

Opportunities: Mission/Outreach team, Prayer Ministry Team

The gift of leadership is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of leadership, much like the gift of administration, is evident in those who demonstrate an unusual ability to influence others. They have an independent determination to challenge and direct others toward a specific goal. Those with the gift of leadership tend to be multitalented, excelling with people and task skills.

In a word: Dreamer

Caution: Impatient, demanding

Scripture reference: Romans 12:6, 8c; John 13:13-17; Hebrews 13:17

Opportunities: Men’s/Women’s Small Group, Family Ministry, Youth ministry

The gift of mercy is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of showing mercy demonstrates genuine sensitivity to suffering. Those with this gift are compelled to help reduce the pain people experience. They are concerned more with the person in difficulty than the reason for suffering. Focusing on the feelings of those who are hurting emotionally, those with the gift of mercy desire to minister by “being there.”

In a word: Caring

Caution: Too sensitive

Scripture reference: Romans 12:6, 8 d; Matthew 5:7

Opportunities: Prayer Ministry Team, Grief Share, Family Ministry, Youth Ministry

The gift of teaching is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of teaching explains the reasons why it is true. They are interested in research and like to dig into seemingly insignificant details. They enjoy presenting what they discover. They love to study.

In a word: In-depth

Caution: Digs too deep

Scripture reference: Romans 12:6-7b; Colossians 3:16; James 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:2

Opportunities: Worship Team, Small Group Leader, Family Ministry, Youth Ministry

The gift of pastor/shepherd is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of pastor/shepherd is obvious in those who really enjoy leading others in serving the Lord. This gift involves the motivation to lead. They are compelled to encourage others to work together for the body’s sake. Influencing others to work together is important.

In a word: Discipler

Caution: Takes advantage of others’ trust

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2-4

Opportunities: Youth ministry, Family Ministry, Small Group Leader, Worship Team

The gift of wisdom is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of wisdom is the unique ability to use knowledge in a practical way. Those with the gift like to combine what they know with a serious reverence of God to influence others. Those with the gift of wisdom are often given some kind of adversity to help them stay in tune with God and his word. They make great counselors and give tremendous advice.

In a word: Perceptive

Caution: Speak down to people

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 12:7-8; James 3: 13-18

Opportunities: Small Group Leader, Young Adult Leader

The gift of prophecy is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of prophecy is to proclaim the word of God boldly and with confidence. They like to share truth regardless of what anyone thinks. The gift of prophecy is a powerful tool to reprove, rebuke, and exhort others. They often find themselves pointing the way, declaring a specific truth, or standing up for something significant.

In a word: Bold communicator

Caution: Can become judgmental, needs to be biblically sound

Scripture reference: Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:7, 11; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3; 2 Peter 1:19-21

Opportunities: Safety Team, Prayer Ministry Team, First Impressions

The gift of service is the God-given gift to equip and build up the body of Christ. The gift of service is to assist and support ministries within the body thereby allowing those ministries to effectively accomplish their desired results. Motivated by a strong sense of need, they feel like “someone has to do it.” Flexible, they adapt to many challenges. Often truly selfless, those with this gift like to be involved.

In a word: Selfless

Caution: Takes on too much

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 6:1-7; Romans 16: 1-2; Romans 12:7

Opportunities: Facilities, Tech Team, Building/grounds, Office Support, Cleaning, Events