This is the third in a series of introductory writings, where I’m simply sharing a personal narrative. These provide a launching pad for a variety of ministerial and Theological forays. However, the guiding focus has been common discussions we have in relation to our stories and Christian ministry. In this post, we’ll hone in on Gifts and strengths, as an example of practical ministerial leadership and guidance.
i. General Ministry vs. Finding a Niche?
At the end of my last narrative post, I shared a general point of reference for a big-picture view of ministry. What follows is a select amount of information about how Christ operates in our lives, my wife Crystal and I. If you are interested in further background, a brief summary can be found at LinkedIn. Please read between the lines, understanding that we have somewhat of a missional calling here in America.
We believe in the 5-Fold Ministry. Some believe there are primary gifts that each one has. Some believe we operate in all five in various seasons. Probably none of us want to be pigeon-holed into a very narrow focus.
On the other hand, we sometimes have to determine if we will engage in general ministry versus finding a niche. At any rate, we all seek a little clarity, so that we can operate in our strengths.
ii. The Assistance of Proper Tests
In my career counseling class at AGTS, we all took countless career tests. There really weren’t many surprises as the test results poured in. I was hoping for a little mystery here or there, but I consistently scored high in the areas of clergy, counselor, and teacher. The Lord has opened doors for me to serve in these arenas over time.
Wagner-Houts: Gifts Assessments
Together, Crystal and I have taken a few tests that may be easily accessible to anyone. One is the Wagner-Houts that we took through AGTS. You may have to seek out a good source online. This is a well-respected Spiritual Gifts assessment stemming from Fuller. Although we scored high in a various areas, we both scored very high in the missional aspect of the test. This is one of many factors that has helped clarify the things we have done together in ministry over time, and across America.
For graduate study and student development, I have tracked positive psychology and strengths-based approaches. These types of approaches are easy to integrate with spiritual formation materials (i.e. spiritual disciplines or practices). Christians have been conducting empirical research in these areas for quite some time.
GALLUP: Strengths-Based Approaches
One group that has been at the forefront is GALLUP. They’ve developed strengths-based leadership materials for decades now. I can still remember one of my professors recommending that I read Now, Discover Your Strengths.[1]
To pick up an extra read in the middle of a full-time graduate semester is nearly impossible. However, I took her advice and read through it in a weekend, if I remember correctly. I took the strengths test and later met with her to discuss the results.
It’s easy to integrate a strengths approach with a robust Pneumatology, as one explores the Spirit’s Gifts or how He helps us mature in Christ.
Integrative approaches are also available from GALLUP. They publish Christian materials.
If in Ephesians 4, verses 11-12 are inseparable, then it is an honor to help others find places to serve and empower them. Actually, in the Greek Ephesians 4.11-16 is one continuous sentence.
We utilize approaches that honor Paul’s ministerial guidance. For instance, we had an official Strengths Coach visit a leadership team in one of our churches. Before the weekend, our leadership team took the Top 5 Clifton Strengths Test. The coach joined us for a couple of Saturday sessions, and then again on Sunday afternoon. The response had long-term effects among that setting of lay-leaders.
iii. Bonuses of Using Good Tests
There are a number of reasons to administer good tests to a leadership team. First of all, it’s helpful as you try to work with others to find a place for them to serve.
Secondly, it builds esprit de corps if leaders are open about the results (i.e. Gifts or strengths). Suddenly, new levels of understanding are awakened in relationships.
Third, there is somewhat of a mystery in being confronted with a snapshot of who you are. The two tests I’ve mentioned, and a host of others, provide just that. In fact, some tests ask questions in a variety of ways to prevent us from trying to make ourselves look good. These mechanisms in the tests are sometimes referred to as “lying scales.” A good test will provide an honest response.
Fourth, if the test and materials are well-received, then it takes the pressure or weight of some decisions off of the primary leader. People now understand why they do well in certain ministries. Choices and redirection naturally follows. The leader no longer has to figure out the why’s and how’s of affecting change on his own.
There are other reasons, but these are just a few practical bonuses of utilizing tools like this in ministry
iv. Finding a Biblical Injunction for Utilizing Tools
There are some who like to go to the ancient Biblical languages and swim in the oceans of thought from Hebrew to Aramaic to Koine Greek. They build fantastic sermons, studies, and teachings. If they are published, many of us rely on their knowledge when researching and building our sermons.
Is there anything different when we consider solid research of Gifts, strengths, personality, etc.? Can we rely on well-crafted tools?
Perhaps one difference is that there may still be a stigma on social scientific or psychological study. Can it be trusted? Is it merely humanistic?
New Testament Lists
I think a little dose of the New Testament may be helpful as we consider the question of trusting social scientific tools. There are multiple Gift lists in Scripture.
1 Corinthians 12.4-11 is commonly cited as the Gifts of the Spirit. Gifts are referred to as Charisma or Charismata, stemming from the Greek translation of Gifts. The root word is grace or charis. So each gift might be called a charism.
A charism could be thought of as a direct drop of grace from the Holy Spirit. What makes the Gifts of the Spirit unique in the New Testament is that the setting is the corporate worship service. It’s as if the Spirit shows up each time we gather and distributes the charisms that are necessary, through whoever He wills, like drops or waves of grace.
JVI, Ripples on Grand Traverse Bay, 06.14.18
Other Gift lists are more vocational in nature. We have already discussed vocational ministry in the unique list found in Ephesians 4.11.
In Romans 12.6-8, Paul offers a list of Gifts, or vocations, among God’s people. He offers a similar list in 1 Corinthians 12.28. Peter speaks of the Gifts in 1 Peter 4.10-11.
Other lists seem to point to Christian maturation. In Isaiah 11.2-3, we may see the origins of the Cardinal Virtues.[2] The Fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5.22-23. Peter outlines a similar list, with somewhat of a character development focus, in 2 Peter 1.5-8.
These lists are not exhaustive. There are plenty of other ways that the Spirit operates among us (particular practices, offices, virtues, etc.). Theologians and scholars speak of these. There are also plenty of Christian counselors and researchers who are developing approaches based on such lists.
v. Some Closing Questions
1) What were Isaiah, Paul, and Peter studying?
Theology is the study of God. Pneumatology is the study of the Spirit. However, all of the above lists are centered on humans, or at least on the interaction of the Spirit and mankind. Are these not humanistic studies in the purest sense . . . or psychological . . . or anthropological?
2) If we study only God, who has given man the imago Dei, then aren’t we missing something?
Any time we study how God interacts with humans in the Bible, which seems to be the main point, then we have blended the sciences. We are studying Theology and ________ (name your favorite social science).
3) Can we keep this type of integration pure?
We certainly can keep any type of study pure, if it remains in submission to the Word of God. Let’s not stand outside of the Word, as if it has no relevance to our study. We do not stand above the Word, making it conform to our study. The only proper stance is under the Word, conforming our study to it’s grace. This must be the guiding rule even when we study Theology . . . much less any other -ology.
4) Are we obligated to do this type of study?
I would say so, or at least rely on those who do it responsibly. It seems to be inherent in our command to love our Lord along with our neighbor (Leviticus 19.18; see also Matthew 22.39; Mark 12.31; Luke 10.27).
We’re also obligated as overseers, or vocational ministers. The minister makes sure all ministerial Gifts are serving the congregation. He also makes sure people are stepping into their vocational callings that are found in various Gift lists.
5) How does our understanding of, and engagement with, this very practical aspect of ministry speak to you?
Do you have other means of obtaining similar results in your leadership setting?
[1] Markus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Now, Discover Your Strengths (New York: The Free Press, 2001). [2] Thomas C. Oden, Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1992), 638-639.
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