The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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55<br />
have any one gift. <strong>The</strong> spiritual organism is much more complex than that. But I<br />
find that <strong>the</strong> general tendency <strong>of</strong> Christians enthusiastic about getting certain<br />
tasks done in <strong>the</strong> Body is to carelessly overestimate how many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> members<br />
should have one gift or ano<strong>the</strong>r. If I want my particular job to get done well I might<br />
tend to presume that an unrealistic number <strong>of</strong> people have <strong>the</strong> gift it takes. This<br />
happens frequently with <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> an evangelist . . .<br />
“Over a period <strong>of</strong> years it [<strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> evangelist] has been tested in case after case and<br />
found to stand up. <strong>The</strong> average church can realistically expect approximately that<br />
10 percent, or even a few percentage points less than 10 percent, <strong>of</strong> its active members<br />
mobilized for evangelism, a growth patter <strong>of</strong> 200 percent per decade is a realistic<br />
expectation. If God blesses a church by giving <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> evangelism to more than<br />
10 percent <strong>of</strong> its members, it is in wonderful shape for growth.” 33<br />
Wagner estimates that where churches have plateaued or are declining, only about 0.5 percent<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people are using <strong>the</strong> gift, if that many. He <strong>the</strong>refore urges those with <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> exhortation<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y seek out <strong>the</strong> 9.5 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people with <strong>the</strong> gift and help <strong>the</strong>m discover, develop and<br />
use <strong>the</strong>ir gift. <strong>The</strong> result is that <strong>the</strong>y <strong>the</strong>mselves will be happier and more fulfilled as Christians and<br />
<strong>the</strong> church will grow. 34<br />
How To Discover: One <strong>of</strong> today’s evangelists, Leighton Ford, shares how he found his gift:<br />
“As a boy <strong>of</strong> sixteen, I first met Billy Graham and o<strong>the</strong>r gifted evangelists through<br />
<strong>the</strong> Youth for Christ movement. Observing <strong>the</strong>se men and women in action, both<br />
personally and publicly, I felt something stirring within me. A longing to express<br />
my faith grew. Opportunities came to speak at youth groups and <strong>the</strong>n at small<br />
evangelistic occasions. People were moved to accept Christ through what I said.<br />
While I believe God has given me certain o<strong>the</strong>r spiritual gifts, <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> evangelism<br />
is primary.” 35<br />
EVANGELIST<br />
Great need and desire to witness to nonbelievers.<br />
Deep burden for <strong>the</strong> lost.<br />
Sharing <strong>the</strong> faith comes relatively easy.<br />
Attracted to unbelievers because <strong>of</strong> a desire to win <strong>the</strong>m to Christ.<br />
Tends to focus on <strong>the</strong> ABC’s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christianity</strong>--<strong>the</strong> gospel.<br />
Ability to give a simple explanation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christian message.