“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Dear Disciple of Christ,
So? So have you identified your gifts? You have talents and abilities that were given to you by God. These might be genetic (you’ve seen little kids or are prodigies, playing piano or singing opera at 4 or 5 years old). They are often titled “gifted.” But each of us has some of them – the gifts of God. Then when you add our parents’ example of their lives and the studies we do at school and the jobs we get in life, it makes a full person with gifts.
But I was mentioning those given by God. Some would suggest that the spiritual gifts (given by the Spirit) are only those dramatic gifts given by the Spirit like speaking in tongues or prophecy or the interpretation of tongues. But Paul also describes “fruit of the Spirit” as those gifts of the Spirit as well. From Galatians 5 we read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Though they are labeled “fruit” they are nonetheless provided by the Holy Spirit, in the same way, “for the common good.”
Last week I mentioned my secretary, the German born woman who was naturalized as an American citizen. That woman, Ilse, was not the secretary at the church when I arrived. The original secretary, Candy Eng, died recently after a long battle with cancer. She was a gifted servant who had two sons heading off to college, so she sought and got employment where the pay was substantially better than what the church could provide. She became the comptroller of Lutheran World Relief! (I did mention she was “gifted,” right?).
When Candy told us that she would be leaving, I got a call from the president of the congregation indicating I was likely going to get a call from his wife, offering to be the secretary. Sure enough, I did, but I’d have to say that she was a “real New Yorker,” with a lot of rough edges and buttons that were easily pushed. I had given thought to her call before it came and when it did, I responded to her offer (as tactfully as I could) that I thought that sometimes we (she and I) sometimes had a little difficulty communicating and that would be a problem in our two person office. “Then you’ve got a real problem, don’t you!” she exclaimed just before slamming down the phone. It wasn’t something I liked doing but it was something that was needed. Especially as a pastor, we need to make sure we do and invite others to serve in the positions for which they are gifted (and interpersonal conversation and care was not her “strong suit”.
After reflecting on the membership role, I made contact with Ilse and asked her if she would prayerfully consider being church secretary. “Oh, Pastor,” she said with some sadness in her voice, “I can’t type.” “That’s something you can learn,” I said, “but your “other” gifts are what is crucial for the secretary I’m looking for.” That was true. What we needed, and what Ilse provided, was a welcoming and caring spirit. There were times I was out of the office visiting people and other members and neighbors would come into church. She was more than a secretary. She was a caring disciple of Christ who served more like a deaconess than a secretary. Actually, in her care for others and the congregation, she did both. I learned later that she actually did pay for lessons to learn how to type. But what I cherished most about Ilse was her caring heart.
Years after I left Atonement in Queens, Ilse moved to Maine to be near her daughter and grand-children. As you’d expect, she joined a church and became active in all kinds of ministry programs. After having been through the challenges in providing care to the homeless in Queens, it didn’t surprise me she worked on caring for the hungry in her town in Maine. She loved to cook and did that ministry for many years. As her resources decreased (with the illness and needs of her husband), she told me how disappointed she was that she couldn’t provide the meals (she bought the food). Chris and I were honored to provide her the money so she could do what she loved, cooking and caring for those in need.
Years later, Ilse succumbed to the cancer which presented itself all over her scalp. She remains to this day for me an exemplary disciple who had mastered her understanding of discipleship as well as the use of the gifts the Spirit had given her. That is one of the extraordinary blessings we pastors receive; seeing the Spirit at work in the disciples we care for.
I pray that you have discovered yours and that they’re evident to all around you.
Peace and prayers in His service,
Pastor Johnson