Knowing Spiritual Gifts

Readers' Reflections

We asked our readers this month whether they prefer to worship with a large religious congregation or a small one. Here is what you had to say:

The short answer is "yes." I prefer to pray with a large religious community, and at the same time I cherish my time alone in prayer. As a Jew, I am commanded to pray in community at set times of the day. As an individual, and a very busy Jew, I find that there are times during the day when I need to pray individually. According to our tradition, we recite a hundred blessings a day. Beyond those set blessings, I find opportunities and times to pray on my own. Each type of prayer provides something that I need. I am glad that I can do both.

-- Rabbi John Bush, Temple Anshe Hesed, Erie

For me, the question is not about large or small congregations, but the piety of the congregants. I would rather have a small group of truly devout worshippers than a crowd of people standing around giving lip service. It is also about the level of joy in the hearts of the people. Worshippers that "feel" the spirit are usually more enjoyable to be around than those who just don't get it.

-- Rev. Christopher Temple, also known as Grollwynn, Whispering Lake Grove, ADF

Many in the present time prefer to worship and socialize in a large setting; my own personal preference is to worship in a smaller setting. I am from the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and a Quaker of the FGC branch. The Monthly Meeting I attend averages about 35 people. The Monthly Meeting has about 80 people on the roll of membership. The St. Petersburg Monthly Meeting often complains about the small number of members, but to me, and many in attendance, it is refreshing and spiritually nourishing. It is much easier to receive and give spiritual nourishment from a congregation or meeting when it is small, for me.

Over many years of discovery and research, the acknowledgment that I was meant to be in a smaller place of worship was both freeing and encouraging. For many people, it is good to be involved in a congregation where one can be a part but not be recognized. I discovered that my spiritual well-being was much better off in a small setting, others and myself were able to take care of those that needed it, this could be spiritual or physical.

Currently I am visiting my mother, who goes to a Presbyterian church. It is small as well. In no way am I vilifying or negating the churches that are large, but for this individual, the spiritual nourishment that I came for is unavailable. Everyone of us is comfortable in a different setting, and this is to be welcomed, not negated. There are many churches or affiliations that are large or small, and these serve in different ways, hopefully.

Knowing Your Spiritual Gifts « Daily Devotional with

“All these are the work of…the same Spirit.” 1Co 12:11 NIV

Knowing Your Spiritual Gifts

After listing various spiritual gifts, Paul writes: “All these are the work of…the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” You say, “How do I know what my spiritual gift is?” One Bible teacher answers: “If I walk, live, and am filled with the Spirit, it is not too important for me to understand the definition of my gift. It isn’t an academic issue; it’s a matter of getting down on your knees and asking the Spirit of God to dominate and control your life. As you yield to Him, the Spirit of God operates through you, and that will be your area of ministry. So the best way to know your gifted area is not to figure it out and then do it, but to walk in the Spirit and then look back and say, ‘So that’s what I do.’ When I was in high school a lady wanted to paint my portrait. I remember that she had a palette in her hand. On the palette she had some primary colors which she squirted out of some tubes. Then she began to mix all those colors together. It was amazing to see the various combinations that came out of those primary colors. Finally she began to paint them on the canvas. This is exactly how spiritual gifts function. The Holy Spirit has a palette. On it are some primary gifts. They are the gifts listed in Scripture. But by the time they are squeezed around there is a mixture. Each one becomes a very unique portrait.”

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