Realizing and Fulfilling Your Personal Ministry

Realizing and Fulfilling Your Personal Ministry

Realizing and Fulfilling Your Personal Ministry - e-book

Step 1. Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Statements

Step 2. Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Answer Sheet

Step 3. Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Key

Step 4. Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Ministry Definitions

Step 5. Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Response Form


Realizing and Fulfilling Your Personal Ministry

Step 4. Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Ministry Definitions

Note: These definitions are to be used with the Spiritual Gifts Evaluation Statements, Answer Sheet, 
and Evaluation Key. The Spiritual Gifts Evaluation may also be taken online by clicking on the 
"Take the Spiritual Gifts Online Evaluation" link in the left column of this webpage.

The Greek word for ministry is diakonos, which means “a way of service.” The ministries listed below are particular ways of service that the Lord Jesus Christ, as the administrator of the church (1 Corinthians 12:5), has chosen to show a part of Himself. Each person has a measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7; Romans 12:3) and particular adeptness and abilities (Romans 12:6).

These definitions, listed alphabetically, show how each of these ministries contribute to the whole body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). They are not written to limit a person’s function and practice but to give guidelines of direction and practice. Scripture references or recommendations, though by no means exhaustive, are given for further study.

Administration. People with this ministry are particularly adept at organization, planning, and the oversight of plans and projects. It is often accompanied by a ministry of wisdom, such as Joseph administering the affairs of Pharaoh and Egypt. This is often a behind-the-scenes function and is extremely effective in fellowship with a "leadership" ministry.

Apostleship. Considered to be a chief officer in the church (1 Corinthians 12:28), this is one sent by God (Greek apo – from, stellos – sent) with a particular mission in life. An apostle can be doctrinally contributive or specific to an area for the whole church, such as excelling in imparting an understanding of faith or gifts of the Spirit. Apostles are usually associated with founding and establishing churches. (For more information refer to Utilizing Gift Ministries available from the Liberating Ministries for Christ International (LMCI) bookstore.)

Craftsmanship. Certain people are gifted with ability to make or fashion things. For example, Bezaleel and Aholiab were craftsmen of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1–11). These ministries have “conceptual” abilities and are a gift to the church in that they can craft items needed whether in physical service or for worship. Another example of this ability was Tubal-Cain (Genesis 4:22).

Deliverance. Deliverance ministers are confident of their God-given authority and adept at casting out demons, boldly demonstrating the power we have in the name of Jesus Christ to set the captives free. This ministry requires a high level of spiritual maturity and a long suit in the revelation gifts of word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and discerning of spirits.

Discerning of Spirits. This ministry utilizes a high degree of spiritual sensitivity to detect with assurance the origin of the presence (or non-presence) of spirits—whether they are of God, the spirit of man, or the evil spirit kingdom. It also has adeptness at distinguising whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human, or satanic. This ministry often works in conjucntion with a deliverance ministry and is also connected with intercession and spiritual warfare.

Evangelist. This is a ministry sent to win new people for the Lord. (See Utilizing Gift Ministries.) It carries a propensity for miracles and healings (1 Corinthians 12:28 and the evangelist Philip in Acts 8). This is a “preacher” who announces the message of salvation and who usually carries an anointing of excitement, confrontation, and often healing.

Exhortation. This ministry carries similar attributes as a prophet in that the person is a spokesperson for the Lord. His or her words offer encouragement, consolation, comfort, and counsel for the practical application of truth. It sees people’s potential and therefore exhorts and encourages them to fulfill their calling.

Faith. This ministry is the special ability that God gives certain members of the body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for His work. Gifts of healing and working of miracles often accompany this ministry. These people are empowered by God to “see things already done” and are an inspiration to others around them to keep the motivation to finish the task.

Healing. This ministry is more than just having a desire to see people healed; it is the actual doing of it. All believers should lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:18), but this ministry imparts gifts of healing by the will of God through revelation (not just praying for the sick through one’s own faith). It is closely related to miracles but the result is manifested differently.

Helps/Service (Deacons). This ministry deals with having the hands-on responsibility for projects. However, the adage "faithful in least, faithful in much" can apply to this ministry because from it, elders in the church can be prepared and trained. Also, Acts 6:1–7 shows that the help/service rendered allows other church leaders to focus without distraction on their own ministries.

Hospitality. This is the special ability that God gives to certain people to provide an open house and a warm welcome to those in need of food, lodging, or rejuvenation. Because these ministers have an acute awareness of visitors and a desire to make all feel welcome, they are a key to helping newcomers become a part of the group or congregation. They provide a deep well of refreshing for the body of Christ.

Interpretation of Tongues. This is not just the gift of interpretation available to every believer. Instead, it is a greater calling and ministry of utilizing interpretation of tongues adeptly and consistently. (See 1 Corinthians 12:26 and 27.) It is mainly used in public worship and sometimes flows with diversities of tongues. The Holy Spirit also utilizes those with this ministry to give the interpretation when someone else has spoken in a tongue for the profit (edification, exhortation, or comfort) of the church.

Knowledge. This is a ministry gifted with a propensity of word of knowledge. It operates as the Holy Spirit gives specific information in any area (including knowledge of the future). The gift can be received by all Christians, but the Holy Spirit pours it out in abundance upon certain individuals. Those with this ministry are also at home in a book or studying, and they will often spend countless hours in research.

Leadership. This ministry closely relates to the attributes, but not necessarily the calling, of an apostle. It includes visionary qualities and a “natural” tendency to be the first one at the helm of projects.

Marketplace Ministry. Marketplace ministers have a strong spiritual calling to the workplace, meaning thier work is their ministry. They frequently receive revelation about business strategies, and they are often divinely positioned in key places to impact their communities. Their kingdom work is very evident in the workplace, and they are spiritually fulfilled by using their God-given authority and abilities there.

Mercy. This ministry carries the same heart as a pastor in that it loves the “unlovable.” When no one else cares about someone, this ministry will find that one lost sheep and nurture it back to health. (It is the one you want to see when you are hurt.) Romans 12:8 says this ministry is to be done with cheer, not a long face of pity.

Ministry of Liberality. Certain individuals are gifted with ability and favor to give remarkedly great amounts of their income or material resources to the work of the Lord. These ministries are a gift to the church (not to the individual), and as such, they are not to squander their wealth on selfish pursuits. (See The Ministry of Liberality available from the LMCI bookstore.)

Miracles. This ministry often accompanies a ministry of faith. It has a propensity to bring things out of heaven into a concrete form on earth. Moses was empowered with this gift. This ministry will win multitudes whereas healing may win one or two people at a time.

Missionary. Although the word “missionary” is the Latin equivalent to the Greek word “apostle,” this ministry’s function is more similar to an evangelist than an apostle. It is a “harvester” in a far away vineyard. Its job is not to establish churches, but to win lost people for the kingdom. Even so, this ministry needs to work closely with an apostle.

Music/Praise & Worship. This ministry is obvious and is a God-given talent. Both Lucifer and David are prime examples—the utilization of this ministry brought one to be the most cursed of all creatures, and the other to be a “man after God’s own heart.” (The potential for good can be perverted by pride.) Music is properly used to glorify God, and those with this ministry help bring people into the presence of the Lord.

Pastor/Shepherd. This is a shepherd who has a God-given heart for the sheep. They have loving and compassionate attributes that enable them to help feed, care for, and bind the wounds of injured people. (See Utilizing Gift Ministries.) This is a ministry of great importance in connecting a local “flock” to the whole body of Christ and mobile ministries.

Prayer/Intercession. People with this ministry are servants to the whole body of Christ. They often seek the solitude of God and His fellowship more than the fellowship of people. There is a “heart for prayer” that is the driving urge behind this ministry, but it also includes the operation of diverse kinds of tongues, which is the tool of powerful intercession. Intercessors usually offer great insight for leaders as well as prayer coverage. (See LMCI’s online article “The Vital Relationship Between Pastors and Intercessors” at www.lmci.org/articles.cfm?Article=8.

Prophet. This is a senior ministry in the body of Christ, not just the gift of prophecy. A prophet may function as a seer or a speaker. He or she will usually carry a long suit in exhortation and will speak for God irrespective of consequence. (See Utilizing Gift Ministries.) A primary goal of New Testament-era prophets should be to teach others how to hear the voice of God themselves.

Seer. A seer is one who sees things of the Spirit but not always in a conventional way. With their spiritual senses, seers often "see" angels and demons. They may "smell" the soon coming rain or "hear" the trumpet of the Lord, etc. In these New Testament days, the seer's goal should be to see and reveal Christ Jesus (e.g., like John and the book of Revelation), heightening a hunger in the church for intimacy with the Lord.

Teacher. This can be one sent to the whole body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28) or to any aggregate of people (Romans 12:7). (See Utilizing Gift Ministries.) The purpose of this ministry is instruction. It includes the ability to grasp truth and concepts, arrange them in a simple pattern, and present them with simplicity and clarity. Teachers carry a low profile as they work to establish an already existing situation.

Wisdom. This is a gift of “knowing how to get things done.” It is not necessarily one in leadership, but assists those who are leaders. It could also be an advisor, a counselor, or a confidant. Oftentimes, the ministry of wisdom accompanies the ministry of helps/service.

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