In my humble opinion, what matters is not the talent, but the spirit within. You are not born to be a preacher, but your passion towards the word of God makes you preach. I’ve seen people that before finding Jesus in their lives, nobody would never ask them for an opinion, and after they start testifying of the power of God in their lives, people will listen to every word with attention.

Some may not be great musician, but since they learn to worship God, they can make better use of their voices and instruments. You are not looking for musicians, you are looking for worshippers who can handle their voices and instruments.

You are not looking for a secretary, but rather one that fears the Lord, and believes on taking great care of everything that belongs to him. She will know to read and write and the leader will encourage her to learn to type, maybe to learn a second language. Who knows? The point I am trying to bring is that God is the one who puts the desire and the ability to do things.

I don’t see as a good practice to discourage anyone to do whatever they want to do for the glory of God. But as a leader, the leader should put order. Someone who wants to do anything. this person should be willing to learn and give priority to those who can do it better.

Everything should be done for the glory of God in unity and in peace.

[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

Thanks for stopping by. You asked about ways we can be truthful with people about their gifts, but still be kind and considerate.

Finding your place to serve and use your gifts takes humility. You need to be willing to hear that you’re not gifted to serve in a particular way. You also need to be willing to serve in ways that you don’t feel particularly “gifted” in, simply because there’s a need. And once you’re serving with your gifts, it takes Gospel-embracing humility to give all the glory to God for any fruitfulness.

When telling someone that music isn’t their gift, I thank them for their desire to serve the church and encourage whatever I can. Then I try to help them see that there are others in the church who are more gifted to serve musically, and that we want everyone serving where they’re most gifted. I emphasize that it’s not a matter of value but of faithfulness. I generally don’t challenge them about their motives because I’m not sure what they are.

Part of the effectiveness of being truthful has to do with the culture of your church or team. If people are used to hearing truth from people who love them, it will be easier for them to hear it from you. I’ve known leaders, though, who are in churches that don’t practice or teach much on speaking the truth in love. In those cases, it doesn’t matter how gracious you are, people can still tend to take offense.

Hope that’s helpful.

It has been helpful. I was going to ask how we can begin to talk someone through the fact that actually their gifting may not be in music or singing (etc), but his has brought some areas to my attention. We can remind them that they ARE apart of the body, and perhaps identify for them the place where they are truly functioning as a part of the body. this will encourage them that although we may be guiding them away from one area of service - we are able lead them to where they will honor God most effectively.

It is very tricky, however. I find it hard to tell someone that actually you are not ‘good enough’, for Sunday morning… and that actually it would be better if they served elsewhere in the church.

Have you got any other ideas or examples of how you can be kind, considerate… and yet plainly truthful in breaking the news to someone??

It is a shame. I have met some people who clearly feel, they have not found a place to serve in the church. And yet I look at their lives and see that they are wonderful men/women of God, who regularly attend church and encourage the church with their serving in putting out chairs, welcoming, doing teas and coffee, singing with passion, and on.

I feel that many, perhaps have put their goal to serve ‘upfront’ as the only way to serve. I pray that God would reveal to them just how valuable their humble service to the church is.

Even ’simply’ being that godly parent, wife/husband, child, student in the church family and getting along side others…. is such a valuable of the church. It is really at that level where the rubber hits the road that we really need faithful members of the body… not imply the leaders - you know?

Anyway - thank again for some insightful, godly thoughts.

In Him whose boundless love, conquers our boundless sin.

jadie

And I’m sincerely relieved to read that those aren’t your feet.