I’m fortunate enough to live within easy access of several popular service stations. Circle K, WaWa, and Race Trac. When I pull in, if there’s a line of cars waiting, I’m instantly aggravated and begin to re-think my decision. If the gas price seems too high, I’m tempted to jet over to one of the others and check their rates. If the pump is going slow, I’m annoyed. If there are too many of those yellow out-of-order covers over the pump nozzles, it can ruin my experience. If the restrooms are messy. If there is a line for airing up your tires. If the machine won’t take my debit card. All inconveniences. All possible deal-breakers. 

Why? Because those are service stations with convenience stores that sell fast food. And that’s my expectation. To be served, at my convenience, and fast. I’m there for me. I’m not thinking of ways to help Circle K or Wawa or Race Trac build a successful company. I’m not there to serve others, socialize, or help anyone. I’m there to fill my tank—and possibly my belly—until next time. I’m a consumer, a shopper, a paying customer.

I could say the same thing about my Walmart or Publix ventures. I’m there to shop, not serve. So it’s easy to complain about the conditions or quality of goods and services. 

As I think about those experiences, it puts me in mind of the way some Christians relate to their church. A growing lack of connection, commitment and contribution have plagued the Western Church. We think like individuals. The ideals of a body, a family, a flock, are foreign to us. Maybe that’s why Paul used one of the most beautiful and powerful metaphors to describe the church. He used the body.   

I used to think my main responsibilities as a new believer were to faithfully attend church, listen to the sermon, attend a class, read my Bible, and pray. I thought that, if those boxes were checked, I’d be a strong, faithful Christian. Turns out…I was a pretty unbalanced Christian. A weak Christian. A proud Christian. And not a very useful one. I thought like an individual, not like a family. I thought like a consumer, not a contributor. I thought like a disconnected member, not like a healthy member of the body. 

What was missing? I had no clue what my spiritual gift was or how to use it. I was in church but I was not connected or committed. I have a growing suspicion I wasn’t alone. In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul addresses that.  

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. —Romans. 12:4-8 

The gospel humbles us. We begin to think soberly and honestly about ourself. Maybe for the first time. Our abilities. Our gifting. We don’t overthink—in excess (hyper in Greek). And we don’t under-think with a false humility. We think with clarity and sanity. The gospel attacks our pride. That’s the source of most of our problems.

Often (not always), a sign of pride is marginal involvement in the church. Pride keeps us from acknowledging the help we need. On the flip side, often (not always), a sign of humility is deep involvement in the church. Humility drives us in dependence deeper into the body, where God’s grace comes to us in part through the spiritual gifts of others. 

We are a body. We must think like a body. Every member matters. We are connected. A disconnected body part is gross and dying. If you see an eyeball, a kidney, or a severed foot laying in the parking lot, you’re not impressed. You’re disgusted. You know it’s finished. And you probably pity the bloody, injured body it came from. 

We’re members of one another. We belong together. That’s countercultural. We have to resist the spirit of the age that whispers, “I don’t need the church to be a Christian.” To be a faithful one you do. To be an obedient one you do. To be a healthy one you do. And here’s the bigger point. The church needs you. So, find and use your gifts! 

I’ve encountered plenty of Christians who ask the sincere question, “How do I know what my gifts are?” So here’s some doctrinal and practical help from Romans 12.   

• We each have a gift: Having gifts (vs. 6a)
• Our gifts vary: Having gifts that differ (vs. 6b)
• Our gifts stem from grace: gifts that differ according to the grace given to us (vs. 6c)
• Our gifts are to be used: Let us use them (vs. 6d)
• Our gifts are to be used to build up the body of Christ, in accordance with Scripture, with excellence: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (vs. 6e-8)   

You shouldn't obsess over trying to label or name your spiritual gift before you use it. In other words, don't worry about whether you can point to one particular gift from Romans or 1 Corinthians or 1 Peter and say, "That's mine.” Those are not exhaustive lists. 

Instead, think like a body: The reason we have spiritual gifts is so that we can strengthen the faith of other members and grow strong. Where is the body weak? Whose faith needs strengthening? Who is in trouble? Where is help needed? That’s usually how people discover their gifts. They see a need and make themselves available. I discovered my spiritual gift of preaching through teaching a class of K-5th graders in a large church. It was the most affirming time in my life as a young believer.  

If you don’t know where or how to begin, start there: Open your eyes and ears. Look for needs and listen for opportunities. Ask God to guide you. When you see weak, shaky, wavering faith, strengthen it! Encourage it! Serve it! Help it! Pray for it! Teach it! Lead it! Show mercy to it! It may be clumsy at first. That’s okay. God steers moving ships. Gifts develop and are revealed in the context of ministry. It’s more important first to develop the pattern of service than it is to pinpoint the specific gift. That’s thinking like a body.

Jim Collins used a Venn Diagram to help people understand their possible gifting in the business sector. Some have found that idea useful and used it as a tool in ministry. 

 That diagram assesses three areas: Ability. Affinity. Affirmation. 

• What are you good at? What unique skill set or ability do you possess?

• What are you drawn towards and passionate about? What kind of ministry is satisfying to you? What problems do you most notice? It is possible that you are especially sensitive to the kinds of needs that God has called you to meet.

• Where do people affirm that God is using you in their lives? Do people LEARN? Do people GROW? Are people HELPED? Are people EDIFIED? That’s the real test.     

Paul gives a list in Romans 12. It’s not the only break-down (list) of spiritual gifts, but it’s a summarizing list that includes serving, speaking, and leadership (and overlap) gifts. Scan this list and see if any of them stand out to you as an ability, affinity or affirmation.   

Prophecy = Speaking forth truth situationally. This gift seems directed toward communicating biblical truth in context. I believe it includes applying the truths of the gospel to people who need to be encouraged, warned, guided, or helped in some way. 

Serving: A generic word for a wide variety of ministries. This is practical help for those in need. Hospitality would probably be included here, which means “practical service.” People with gifts of service excel in practical tasks, and tend to be good at administration. They are great team workers and do not need the spotlight.

Teaching: This included instruction in both formal and informal settings that builds up believers. This is the gift of making truth clear and understandable. Teaching gifts can vary greatly: some are better in small groups, others in large groups, some with children, peers etc.

Contribution = Practicing generosity with material goods with no ulterior motive. Straight forward. People with this gift not only enjoy giving in unusual proportions, but are wise in their gifts. Their generosity is spiritually fruitful.

Exhortation = This is the word parakaleo, which means to “come alongside.” “Encouragement” is a good translation, but it also includes most of what today we would call “counseling”—support, inspiration, comfort, pleading. Urging Christians to live out the truths of the Gospel. Encouragers are not necessarily trained, formal counselors. They can serve as advisors, supporters, greeters, and welcomers in many ways.

Acts of mercy = This is a gift people possess who specifically feel moved to work with the poor, the sick, the weak, those in prison, the addicted, the elderly, and so on. It’s showing mercy toward those in distress or need. It can include providing material goods to the poor, caring for the disabled, standing up for justice, and doing so with cheerfulness. It’s done cheerfully, not begrudgingly. With a glad, happy heart. 

Leadership = Leaders are people with the gift of getting people to follow them. They can put a vision before a group and inspire them to get there. Also, to guide, to cut a path forward. They do this was an eager zeal and diligence, not half-heartedly. 

Consider this: a brother comes into the church with a highly refined sense of sound quality. He hears problem after problem with the microphone, the outdated equipment and the EQ of the room. He thinks to himself, “This is a joke. I can’t attend this church.” Another man comes, same background. He wonders if the tech crew needs some help and offers his assistance. Why? Because he knows that people who get distracted by  by distortion, dissonance, or feedback won’t hear the message. So he uses his gift.  

Here’s another scenario: a young mother checks her toddler into the church nursery and notices with contempt that the kids are running around and the helpers are overwhelmed. She scowls and promises herself, “This is the last Sunday I come here.” Another mom stands at the door, same situation. But she responds differently. “I’d be willing to help in here and I’ll gladly submit and follow any protocols and background checks are necessary.” Which of those people was thinking like a body?  

Can you hear the difference? Connected. Committed. Contributing. That’s thinking like a body, not like a consumer. That’s offering yourself to God and to others. That’s a beautiful picture of what a healthy, functioning, strong body looks like. So discover, develop, and deploy your gifts!