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Mission Statement
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THE GIFT OF HELPS (SERVING) The essence of this gift of the Spirit is that of giving assistance or relief from distress where it is needed. The person who has an innate willingness simply to "pitch in" and do whatever needs to be done--no matter how detailed or tedious--evidences the gift of helps. Another definition: Rom. 12:7 I Pet. 4:11 I Cor. 12:28 Acts 20:4, 35 Helps is the ability to give aid and assistance in accomplishing tasks, usually in the realm of physical labor rather than spiritual guidance. Acts 19:22 Rom. 16:3 Col. 4:7 Rom. 16:1,2 I Cor. 2:25 "Through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13 (has genuine affection for others) "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord...It is the Lord Christ whom ye serve." Col. 3:23-24 (demonstrates brotherly responsibility) "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor." Romans 12:10 (is willing to let others have the credit) BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
FUNCTIONS Helps is normally a non-speaking ministry; to help and serve the body where need arises; to do physical labor or tasks which free up others to use their gifts in other areas. MINISTRIES USING THIS GIFT: organizing volunteers, assisting in church programs and projects; assisting in social outreach projects; being in charge of church kitchen or working there; fund-raising; helping other people carry out their ministries. Planning ministry trips. CHARACTERISTICS EMPHASIZED BY THE GIFT OF HELPS (SERVING) 1. The ability to recall specific likes and dislikes of people. 2. The alertness to detect and meet practical needs. Especially enjoys manual projects. 3. The motivation to meet needs as quickly as possible. 4. Physical stamina to fulfill needs with disregard for weariness. 5. The willingness to use personal funds to avoid delays. 6. The desire to sense sincere appreciation and the ability to detect insincerity. 7. The desire to complete a job with evidence of unexpected extra service. 8. An involvement in a variety of activities with an inability to say "no". 9. A greater enjoyment of short-range goals with frustration over long-range goals. 10. A frustration when limitations of time are attached to jobs. MISUNDERSTANDINGS 1. Quickness in meeting needs may appear to be pushy. 2. Avoidance of red tape may result in excluding others from jobs. 3. Their disregard for personal needs may extend to their own family's needs. 4. Eagerness in serving may prompt suspicion of self-advancement. 5. May react to others who do not detect and meet obvious needs. 6. Insistence on serving may appear to be rejection of being served. 7. Desire to sense sincere appreciation may result in being easily hurt. 8. Quickness in meeting needs may interfere with spiritual lessons God is teaching those with needs. 9. Meeting practical needs may be judged as lack of interest in spiritual matters. 10. Their stamina may be interpreted as insensitivity or impatience with others helping. 11. Enjoyment of short-range goals may result in leadership positions and frustration or disorganization with long-range objectives. 12. Inability to avoid others' needs may result in sidetracking their supervisor's directions. SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND NATURAL TALENTS The natural man is dependent upon himself to discover, develop, and use his natural God-given talents. The believer is dependent upon the Holy Spirit to reveal, control and use his God-given talents and spiritual gifts. God wants to combine the believer’s natural talents and spiritual gifts for maximum effectiveness in the world as His ambassador. Talents and gifts are given by God to bring glory to Himself. 1. Talents have to do with techniques and methods. Gifts are spiritual abilities. "If any man speak, (he may be talented as a speaker) let him speak as the oracles of God (inspired by God); If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth." I Peter 4:11 2. Talents inspire, instruct, and edify God's people relative to God's Word and Way of life. (Whereas gifts teach) 3. Talents, when exercised, produce explainable results to the natural world. Gifts produce unexplainable results to the natural man. 4. Use of talents may or may not point to our spiritual gifts. God has used a donkey to do His work. Gifts have to do with service; fruit has to do with character. Gifts are the means to an end; fruit is the end. Gifts are what a man has; fruit is what a man is. Gifts are plural in number; fruit is singular. Gifts cease; fruit is endless. Gifts exercised provide temporary satisfaction; fruit produced provides lasting fulfillment. Spiritual gifts are necessary for the work of God to be accomplished by individual believers in the church, but the fruit of the Spirit is necessary for the changed life of holiness not only for the believer, but for a positive witness to the world.)
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