Spiritual Gifts Spotlight

We are continuing our work with the spiritual gifts. The spotlight today is on the gifts of the heart. The heart is the part of the body that provides blood and life to everything else. It is the same with the gifts of the heart. These are the gifts that pump the "lifeblood" of the congregation. Every other gift needs something from the gifts of the Heart in order to function at its best.The gifts of the heart are: Exhortation, Teaching, and Shepherding. To learn more about the spiritual gifts, or the study, you can contact the church office or e-mail becca.

Characteristics of Exhortation:

• Gets excited about the ways truth can make a difference.


• Is often sought out to give counsel or guidance.


• Sees potential in others and motivates them to action.


• Is very patient and forgiving with those who are learning new things.


• Enjoys helping others work out detailed steps for becoming better people or better Christians.


• Is able to challenge people without making them feel inadequate or condemned.


• Calls forth the best in others.


• Likes to help.

Characteristics of Teaching:

• Feels that God leads them to teach others.


• Often finds joy in harmonizing and arranging biblical teaching.


• Prefers to read or hear scripture rather than personal stories.


• Has the ability to explain things clearly.


• Has a deep desire to study and learn.


• Finds happiness in sharing learning with other people.


• Transforms data and information into life-changing knowledge.


• Is often troubled by teachings or readings that appear unsound.

Characteristics of Shepherding:

• Enjoys guiding others, sometimes going out of the way to be a good guide or teacher.


• Wants to know how to understand those they are serving.


• Is very patient.


• Enjoys taking the responsibility for a group.


• Sometimes feels led to go to those who are "straying" and help bring them back "into the fold."


• Feels responsible for protecting those who are weaker.


• Provides spiritual guidance to help others develop.


• Is committed to long term relationships with those they serve.