I used to run media shout for my church's Sunday services. That meant I was responsible for having the words up for the congregation and singers. I hated it! Too much stress! I do like working with kids, and in the past I helped with youth.

I believe the ideal in the body of Christ is that we can do what we are gifted in and let other people excel in the things we're not as good at.

One of my gifts is helps, and to me that means helping in whatever way I can with any ministry that may have a need. At one of my previous churches I helped out in a number of different ministries at different times: Alpha, youth group, Kid's Bible club, soup kitchen, etc. I was sort of shocked when one of the elder's wives told me that she felt I had trouble committing and that I skipped around to different ministries. I thought I was doing well by helping where there was a need. She told me that if you weren't "gifted" for that thing, then you shouldn't do it, no matter how great the need.

While I agree that God has gifted us to do certain things better than others, I still don't agree with the advice I was given that time. At the same time, we need to know when to say no. I have also been in a church where I was expected to serve and the leadership made me feel uncomfortable to say no (unfortunately the situation more often in small churches). Some people in the church try to do too much and then they get burned out. There has to be a balance. I think the most important thing is that you have joy in doing whatever it is, even if it's not "your thing". If you're going to hate every minute of it and do it out of guilt, then don't do it.

well, i don't know for sure all of my gifts. i haven't quite had the chance lately to be really involved in my church, unfortunately.

i do know that i'm good with music and i'm pretty good with making things on the computer (slideshows, bulletins, etc).

but the gifts i use regularly are compassion and encouragement.

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i'm glad you know your limits! don't be afraid to say no when you are feeling overwhelmed. stretching yourself too far is bad and that takes all the joy out of serving. that's why God rested on the seventh day, so we would take a breather like Him. :P

I attend a small church where I serve in a few different ways. I play the piano for our services, help with the youth, and teach during VBS. I also love to encourage others. :)

From my experiences with service in church, I can say that I have been asked to do things that I didn't feel I was gifted at, or that made me uncomfortable. I really, really don't like being pulled out of my comfort zone! I think, though, that you won't always know what your gifts are, unless you give everything a chance. Many things take practice and time before we can be affective. However, if you really feel that God does not want you serving in a particular ministry, I don't think there should be any shame in saying no.

My gift is that of an artist, and as such, sometimes it may rub some non-artistic people the wrong way. In church, you have certain types who don't like to see things changed ( i.e. a remix of the way a song is played, using actual matching colors in powerpoint slides, etc. ), and an artist's call is always to show things in different lights. During my last church, I had a lot to contribute, unfortunately I wasn't given any freedom to contribute by someone who knew next to nothing about how art is seen and thought. Thus, I was merely regulated to trash duty.

hmm.  that's a good question.  it's nice to know what your limits are, but for me i think i rarely do until confronted with the specific situations.

@Pass_the_Aura@xanga - yeah, that does.  huh.  *thinking...* :)

I am a youth minister currently and attending seminary. I am seeking to find my gifts/talents niche in ministry, so that both I will get greater joy and God may be glorified though me.

but I certainly agree about childrens ministry, it is something I will never find to be one of my gifts, and I ahve helped out with VBS many times. Maybe I just like complex thinking.. maybe I worry that we water-down the bible stories for children too much.. who knows. But I have had some friends who unkowngly go into a youth ministry position and then get thrown into childrens ministry as well... I would not do well in this and would strait up tell them no. Helping maybe, but leading it and doing the lessons - no way. I am childrens minstry enept.. lol.

We just started attending a new Church. We have been there for a little less than a month. It was very hard to get involved at our old Church. No one would call you back when you signed up for things and it was a small Church with just one service. Right now we are getting involved by contributing to the Food and Backpack drives that are going on. We are praying about opportunies to serve as fall comes into the picture. I am a Social Worker so things that appeal to me are ministries that help the less fortunate.

Like you, it's the worship ministry all the way for me!

I find that my strength is mostly with my parish's youth. I love getting youth excited about their walk in faith, and helping them through all the little bumps along the way. I have been told that my gift is my ability to work with youth, but I'm still exploring more to it within my church.

I never say no to an opportunity to serve. =)

My ministry gift is administration, I enjoy working in that gift. In fact I am working with an Organization as the Administrative Assistant

i'm still deciding where my gifts lay; but i can say this:  I enjoy working hard for the Lord.  I taught the crafts station at vbs a couple of weeks ago.  It was time consuming for prep and teaching.  But I felt like the kids really got something out of it, but i think i even got more out of it. 

I spent a week at a workcamp with teens from our church.  It was amazing how much i learned from them.  Patience, grace, leadership, and the list goes on.  If working with kids isn't my forte, i feel it a growth process anyway.  I'm glad you recognize your gifts.  Keep on giving..

yogagirl22