First United Methodist Church Carrollton

MEMBER GIFTS

The category of spiritual gifts that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12:4, 12-27 and Romans 12:3-8, and that Peter talks about in 1 Peter 4:11-12, is carismaton or what I like to call “Member Gifts.” Peter tells us that every Christian already has one member gift, and that we need to use it well. You received your member gift when you received Christ. It comes as a part of the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit. Your member gift is your place and basic function in the body of Christ, the church. You have only one member gift and it will not change, just as you are only one member of the church. You do not choose which will be your member gift; God has already made that choice for you. Paul tells us that there are 7 member gifts that God gives.

1. PROPHECY (the conscience of the body of Christ) is the function of keeping the church clean of sin.
2. SERVICE (the right hand of the body of Christ) is the function of helping those with physical needs.
3. TEACHING (the mind of the body of Christ) is the function of sharing and clarifying truth.
4. EXHORTATION (the voice of the body of Christ) is the function of encouraging others.
5. GIVING (the left hand of the body of Christ) is the function of helping those with material needs.
6. LEADING (the eyes of the body of Christ) is the function of coordinating the various activities of the church.
7. MERCY (the heart of the body of Christ) is the function of meeting the emotional needs of the church.

A Christian finds power and joy and success when he is using his member gift to serve the Lord in the church. When we work outside of our gifted area we find difficulty and less success and less joy in serving the Lord. We discover our member gift as God uses us with success in serving Him in that special area of need for which He has gifted us.