I think Alan Knox wrote about it not long ago. (Check Knox in How Specialisation Harms as well as The Church As A Team Of Player-Coaches) It is something that has been on my mind for a while especially at a time when there are some I know who are exploring spiritual gifts.
Paul is clear in scripture that no one has all the gifts. God has given according to His grace gifts to each individual.
From there, however, there appears to be in some circles a tendency towards specialists. If Brother Jim has the gift of teaching then that is what we look for from him. Indeed we can afford to sit back and know that Jim will do the teaching. If Sister Jane is has the gift of prophecy then that is what we look for from her. Indeed we can afford to sit back and know that Jane will do the prophecy bit.
As a result some churches have the mentality that it’s about individuals finding their gifts and just operating in the area of their calling, because after all the call is just about how you exercise your gift, or at least not far from that.
The problem I have is where that focus on being a specialist, is that it doesn’t really get to the heart of actually being like Jesus. It kind of misses the point of who Jesus called us to be. Paul suggests we go on to covet the greatest gift, namely love. If we are desperately seeking that, then we are desperately seeking to express the character of Christ in all things. that means, rather than just waiting for Jane or Jim to operate in the areas of their calling, there is an area where we acknowledge that they are sharing Christ with us in a way that we could possibly share with others.
That means perhaps it wouldn’t be unusual to see god use Jim to prophecy and Jane to teach. It might not be unusual for us to begin ministering in different giftings occasionally, because what those gifted did was stir a passion in our hearts for Christ to be made known in that area. the deal is no longer about waiting for the gifted one to work in their gifting. It is more about a general desire to just see Jesus in operation. As we see Jesus in operation, so we desire to be like Him all the more.
I am not then dismissing the importance of recognising your individual gifting. That is important. Neither am I advocating a need to work on your weaknesses more than your strengths. I am saying that the gifts are not the goal. Jesus is the goal. Knowing who Jesus is is so wide – it encompasses so much – that the desire and drive to be like Him should understandably look to be broad. It certainly should not be limited to believing He’ll only express Himself through the designated people.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
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