The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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Why is it that we so often see the children of the kingdom of darkness wiser than the
children of light? Jesus, of course, predicted this (Lk. 16:8). Nowhere is this more true than in
the area of equipping.
In his book, Dedication and Leadership, Douglas Hyde writes the afterthoughts of a
former communist. He points out,
“The majority of people who join the Communist Party do so knowing very little
about communism. This is as true of the intellectuals as of the workers. The
potential recruit sees the Party in action.” 1
Hyde continues by sharing at what point a candidate in the Communist Party is trained.
“The instruction of the new Party member does not normally begin immediately
after he joins. Quite deliberately, and with good reason, the Party sends its new
members, whenever possible, into some form of public activity before instruction
begins.” 2
George Mallone, in his book, Those Controversial Gifts, perceptively analyzes this
approach and gives a stinging, though accurate and fair assessment, of the evangelical church.
“This Communist training principle could have been borrowed from Jesus of
Nazareth! Jesus told Peter and the others to follow him in order to become
fishers of men. His “come and see” invitation was soon followed by “go and
tell.” Jesus sent them out by twos, by twelves, by seventies. He sent them out
long before they were ready--at least by our standards. Those men and women
who turned the world upside down hardly knew the content of the Apostle’s
Creed. They saw Jesus in action and were involved in service long before their
instruction was complete.
It is hard to imagine a church system more unproductive for equipping ministries
than the one normally promoted. If by brilliant and creative human ingenuity a
church structure were devised to prevent the development of gifts, it could
hardly improve on what we have. Large groups of people assemble to hear one
person or a very few exercise their gifts, while the majority ruminate, evaluate
or otherwise passively listen. Seldom are people trusted with any concrete
ministry until they have proved themselves as Christians for several years. Little
or nothing is expected of new Christians except that they study, listen and watch
until they have grown mature. A high priority is placed on cognitive learning.