My work has taken me to two banquets this week honoring the volunteers at our campuses. Some have been volunteering for over 25 years! The dollar amount that is realized by the amount of volunteer hours working in our system alone is over $4 million this year! Shane Hipps is a Mennonite pastor who describes (Jan 15, 2006 "Generous Spirit") how he views the differences between gifts and talents. Talents are skills that are innate, and they may or may not be used. Spiritual gifts are abilities that you have and they are used with the purpose to promote the common good of the kingdom of God. Gifts are never burdensome; they give us life. Gifts are dynamic; they change as the Spirit matches God's mission with the needs of the community. So how do we nourish our gifts? Shane's recipe is: 1) use them; 2) enjoy them; and 3) hold them with open hands, being receptive to new gifts or gifts changing. It seems I have become receptive to the use of my newest gift - the semicolon! What's your newest gift?
My prayer for the congregation?
Dear God, our church is vibrant because of the volunteers that work with our youth, buildings and grounds, mission trips, office help, visitation, and the music program. What a lifeless building it would be if only we were served instead of becoming the hands of Christ. We are given life as we offer a portion of ourselves. Help us to recognize gifts in others and encourage their growth and participation. Drive us to share our own gifts issuing a spirit of joy and gratitude. Like shifting sand dunes that create new landscapes, so let our gifts change and adapt as the needs around us create a new portrait of what it means to be living a Christ-filled life. Amen
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