Equipping Ministry
Using your gifts, abilities, and skills to
Know Christ and Make Christ Known.
What is equipping ministry?
One of the main tenets of the Presbyterian Church is the “priesthood of all believers.” We affirm that all men, women, and children belong to God and are called to a particular form of service. Through our participation in this community of faith, we are equipped to serve. We do not serve alone! We are sent with others to accomplish God's work in the world.
What are spiritual gifts?
Our God is a generous God, giving individual Christians special abilities. These are known as spiritual gifts. But these gifts are not meant to be stuck on a shelf and stored away. These gifts are to be used! According to Ephesians 4:12 spiritual gifts are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. God's gifts have a special purpose: to be used for the work of God's kingdom.
How can I use my gifts?
There are many ways to use your gifts in service and ministry. Take a look at the My Ministry Matters booklet. It describes dozens of opportunities for you to serve others by using the gifts with which God has blessed you. Maybe you are thinking of a new ministry which you would like to begin—if so, talk to Deb Ebling, Director of Equipping Ministries and she can help you explore your idea.
"MINISTRY is where your deep gladness meets with the world’s deep need." Frederick Buechner
What is a Ministry Team?
Ministry teams are groups of people who have the gifts and passion for a certain ministry and work together to accomplish that ministry. Ministry teams provide a wonderful mix of task and fellowship for their members. Group members serve together, and through their sharing of labor and time, they grow in their care for one another and in their faith.
Why is it important to use my gifts?
Two disciples asked Jesus "Teacher, where are you staying?" Jesus replied, "Come and see." (John 1:35-42) Come and see. If you want to see where Jesus stays in our world, follow and look around.
When you use your spiritual gifts and keep your eyes open, you just might catch a glimpse of God at work. If you usher and greet guests to our church...or teach second graders...or feed the hungry...Whenever you invest your gifts and do God's work you catch a glimpse of the One who sends you.
Why is it important to use your spiritual gifts in service?
Not because the church needs certain things done, but because in the doing, in your service, you will meet God.
Thirteen Disciples?
Next time you walk in the front entrance to the church, look to your left. You will see a large, stained glass window. You will see Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, just as he did on the night before his crucifixion. Before he ate the Passover meal, Jesus took a basin of water and a towel and began to wash the feet of his disciples. Imagine their surprise: in their culture, servants washed feet, not leaders. Jesus made a splash!
As you look at the stained glass window, take a minute to count the disciples. If you look carefully, you will count thirteen! Thirteen—how can that be? When the stained glass window was in production, someone noticed that the artist had made a mistake and included an extra disciple. The decision was made that, rather than sending the artist “back to the drawing board,” the thirteenth disciple would remain and would represent us. Each one of us. Each believer at Paoli Presbyterian Church.
So, next time you walk through the doors of the church, remember. Remember that you are in that window. You have had your feet washed by Jesus. And you have been commissioned to make a splash—to wash the feet of others. How is Jesus calling you to serve?
Spiritual Gifts
Administration: visionary understanding and goal setting for effective ministry
Apostleship: starting new ministries and/or churches
Discernment: recognizing what is of God and what is not of God
Encouragement: being present to inspire, strengthen, and affirm others
Evangelism: sharing the gospel with others in ways that encourage them to become Jesus’ disciples
Faith: trusting God and acting on God’s promises regardless of the circumstances
Giving: liberally and cheerfully giving material resources to God’s work
Healing: faithfully praying for people who need physical, emotional, or spiritual healing
Helping/serving: giving cheerful, practical assistance
Hospitality: creating an environment where others feel welcome and at ease
Knowledge: understanding information and using God-given insight to promote the growth and well-being of the church
Leadership: clarifying and communicating the vision of a group ministry in a way that attracts others to get involved
Mercy: offering practical, compassionate love and comfort to those who suffer
Preaching/Prophecy: proclaiming God’s word so others are encouraged, challenged, consoled, and convinced
Shepherding: guiding and nurturing others in their spiritual growth
Teaching: helping people to learn and apply scripture
Wisdom: understanding and applying God’s truth in complex circumstances
God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out every where; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people. The variety is wonderful. I Corinthians 12: 4-7
Click on the above image for Commitment Forms and Booklet which shows all of the
wonderful opportunities to serve here at PPC.
YOUR Ministry Matters!
For more information contact:
Deb Ebling ~ Director of Equipping Ministries