The following listing is an overview of many of the ways you can be a part of Trinity's diverse ministries. We function on a "gift-based" ministry foundation. That is, we focus on what God has called each of his children to do, not on filling slots. We are interested in helping you to discover your spiritual gifts and finding or creating places where you can carry out your God-given ministry.
This list is just a beginning. Let us know if you are interested in any of these areas or would like help in forming new ministries at Trinity.
If you need more information about Spiritual Gifts or would like to take a spiritual gifts inventory see Spiritual Gifts or contact Michelle Vanderzyden at the church office.
Ways to serve at Trinity:
Administrative/Leadership
Church Council
Preschool Board
Childcare Board
Evangelism/Exhortation
Sick/Hospital/Shut-In Visits
Bible Study Leader/Member
Share Group Leader/Member
Lector
Cantor
Prayer Leader
New Member Outreach/Follow-up
Hospitality
Usher (male and female)
Worship Host (Host Family)
Sunday School Hospitality
Courtesy Parker
Parking Lot Attendant
Social Corner Set-up/Clean-up
Provide Housing for Visitors
Provide Transportation
Mercy
Sick/Shut-in/Hospital Visits
Funeral lunch Provider/Server
Provide Transportation
Helps/Faith/Giving
(check your other gifts for specific area(s) in which to help)
Craftsmanship - Arts/Crafts
Arts/Crafts Teacher/Aide
Photography/Videography
Graphic Design
Quilting/Sewing
Bulletin Boards
Painting/Wallpaper
Craftsmanship - Manual
General House Maintenance
General Housekeeping
Building Crew
Carpentry
Electrical
Plumbing/Heating
Painting/Wallpaper
Masonry/Concrete
Equipment/Appliance Repair
Flower Garden Care -Weeding/Watering
Lawn Care
Spring/Fall Clean-up
Prayer
Prayer Chain Prayer
Prayer Leader
Spiritual Growth Group
Moms In Touch International
Leadership/Shepherding
Sick/Shut-In/Hospital Visits
Bible Study Leader
Share Group Leader
Sunday School Teacher
Nursery Supervisor
Vacation Bible School Coordinator
Weekday Church School Coordinator
Choir Camp Coordinator
Youth Group Leader
Knowledge/Teaching/Wisdom
Sunday School Teacher/Aide, YOUTH or ADULT
Vacation Bible School Teacher/Aide
Weekday Church School Teacher/Aide
Choir Camp Teacher/Aide
Bible Study Leader/Member
Share Group Leader/Member
Sick/Shut-In/Hospital Visitor
Sports Team Leader
Music - Vocal
Choir
Senior (10:45)
Sunrise (8:30)
Praise Team (9:30)
Saturday Night (6:30)
Men's Ensemble
Special Ensemble
Choir Camp Teacher/Aide
Cantor
Music - Instrumental
Choir Camp Teacher/Aide
Bell Choir
Serving
Provide Food/Baking
Prepare/Serve Food
Social Corner
General Office Help
Telephoning
Nursery Volunteer
Usher
Worship Host (Host Family)
Event set-up/tear down
Children's Choir Helper
Courtesy Parker Parking Lot Attendant
Radio Broadcaster
General Building Maintenance
Fellowship Groups
Bible Study
Share Group
Women's Circle
Mother's Group
Promise Keepers (men)
Men's Bible Breakfast
Trinity Travelers (Senior bus trips)
Luther Club (age 50+ lunches)
Singles Programming
You have a spiritual gift!
The church's reason for existence is bringing all people to Christ. God didn't just give us this task to complete in our own human strength. He gives spiritual gifts that will be needed in the work.
Your spiritual gift is the special way the Holy Spirit will work through you to help others know God and to grow in faith.
It is something that you can do naturally, beautifully, and well. Others enjoy having you do it. Others (without your gift) might be able to accomplish the same work but it will be more difficult for them taking more time and effort and perhaps suffering some in the results.
It probably will not be something totally effortless for you (every work has a job) but it is something that makes life interesting and fulfilling for you and gives you a deep sense of joy. There is a feeling that you are in the right place at the right time for the right thing, a sense that God is using you for good.
What the Bible says: God has given you a spiritual gift. One major section of scripture that speaks about this is 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Paul goes on in the scripture to give some examples of spirituals gifts and talks about how all the different gifts make the church complete, just as the body parts are needed to make a human body complete. No one's gift is of small importance. Everyone is needed and everyone is interconnected.
What the Bible says: Our gift is for use in ministry. Although ministry and minister are "churchy" words which conjure up pictures of people in clerical collars, ministry is actually the activity/service to which we are called in our baptism. We are called to proclaim the praise of God and bear His creative and redeeming Word to all the world. We are not all pastors; we are all ministers.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
Six clues for discerning your spiritual gifts
1. Pray ask God, your Father, to show you your gift and how He wants you to use it for Him. Ask others you trust to pray for you.
2. Take a Spiritual Gift Inventory which tests for some of the gifts mentioned in the Bible.
3. Be aware of your sense of inner call. When you hear about things that are happening, what areas of ministry sound interesting or fun or vitally important? What are the activities in which you feel called to be involved? What might be done better somehow if you were involved? What seems incomplete or missing? Reflections about things like these can help you see your gift?
4. Personal reflection concerning your personality and experiences. What is your personal situation? What are your talents? What are your deepest longings for what a church should really be?
5. Ask others who know you well, what they think your spiritual gift might be. How have they seen God at work through you?
6. Try out the possible gift in ministry somewhere. Action and observation of the effect of your activity can also give you evidence of your spiritual gift. If you are using the gift, you will notice:
--the job was done well
--it had an effect on others for their growth in faith
--usually you have enjoyed doing it or feel a deep sense of satisfaction or joy from it
Summary of Spiritual Gifts
Administration: The gift of administration will benefit you in understanding and setting goals for various groups and organizations. It will give you direction in making plans to achieve those goals. You will be able to plan programming, work with facts and/or figures, and see that goals and ideas are accomplished. 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV), Romans 12:8, Acts 6:1-7
Apostleship: The gift of apostleship is the ability to communicate the Christian message across cultural (and frequently linguistic) barriers and plant a Christian church where there is no knowledge of the gospel. The term in Greek (apostolos) and Latin (mission) means a sent one or a messenger. The rough equivalent is a pioneer missionary. Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28
Craftsmanship Arts/Crafts: This gift or glorified talent will give you the ability to use your hands, thoughts, and minds to further God's Kingdom through artistic, creative means. You may also serve as a trainer for others to develop their abilities in this area. Exodus 31:3-11, Ezekiel 27:4, I Chronicles 4:14
Craftsmanship Manual: This gift or glorified talent will give you the ability to use your hands and ideas in the area of maintenance and upkeep of God's physical blessings. 2 Chronicles 34:9-13, 1 Chronicles 4:14, Ezekiel 27:4-9
Discernment: The gift of discernment is the ability to read or hear a teaching or to consider a proposed course of action and then determine whether the source behind the teaching or action is divine, human, or satanic. Discernment is the gift that motivates a believer to seek God's will and purpose and apply that understanding to individual and congregational situations.
Evangelism: The gift of evangelism will give you the power to share the Good News of the Love of Jesus with the lost, in such a way that those with whom you share will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Ephesians 4:11, Acts 5:42, Acts 8:5-8, Acts 13:42-43, Acts 11:20-21
Exhortation: The gift of exhortation will allow you to speak words of comfort, encouragement, admonition, or counsel to members of the Body in such a way that they will be strengthened and built up. Romans 12:8, Acts 14:21-22, Hebrews 10:25
Faith: The gift of faith will allow you to see with confidence what God's will is for your life and, more importantly, for the Body of Christ, of which you are a member. You will have no fear moving ahead, even though everything around you seems to be holding you back. 1 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 4:20-21, Acts 27:21-25
Giving: The gift of giving will allow you to give liberally of your treasures and life. As you give you will experience much joy and satisfaction. Romans 12:8, Mark 12:41-44, Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Giving Aid: The gift of giving aid literally means, in Greek, he who provides leadership in giving aid. This gift equips one to see practical needs and coordinate the resources and abilities of others so that those needs are met.
Healing: The gift of healing enables one to function as an instrument of God's healing grace in the lives of others. The gifts of healings (double plural in the Greek text) extend to the healing of the body, the mind, and the emotions.
Helps: The gift of helps will give you the opportunity to help other members of the Body grow in their service. You will feel needed as you relieve others of tasks that are burdening them. 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 16:1-2, Mark 2:3-4
Hospitality: The gift of hospitality will give you the opportunity to be open and caring to those in need. You will enjoy having people in your home and will feel good as you provide food and lodging. 1 Peter 4:9-10, Acts 16:15, 3 John 1:5-8
Miracles: The gift of miracles refers to the superseding of natural law. In the Book of Acts this gift most frequently relates to healing and exorcism. Acts 19:11-12
Prophecy: The gift of prophecy is the ability to present God's word with clarity and power. The primary ministry of this gift is not prediction or foretelling; it principally has to do with declaration or forthtelling.
Prayer: This gift or unique roll will allow you to pray for other members of the Body in such a way that your prayers will be of benefit to them. You will enjoy praying regularly and, perhaps, for extended periods of time. You will be able to see frequent and specific answers to prayer that many of your fellow Christians who do not have this gift cannot see. James 5:14-16, Colossians 4:12, Acts 6:4, Acts 12:5, Ephesians 6:18
Knowledge: The gift of knowledge will give you the ability to use information and ideas you have learned and thought out for the well-being of the Body. Your sharing of your gift of knowledge will allow the church to become healthy and grow. Matthew 16:17, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 13:2
Leadership: The gift of leadership will allow you to be a goal-setter and leader of God's people. They will look to you for guidance and direction. Your leadership will bring glory to God and growth to his church. Hebrews 13:17, Acts 7:10
Mercy/Compassion: The gift of mercy allows you to reach out to people who are in need. Your words of care and concern and your actions will aid in building up those who may have physical, mental, or emotional problems. The things you will do will allow those you serve to see the love of Christ in you and through you. Romans 12:8, Acts 9:36, Luke 10:33-35
Music-Vocal: This gift or glorified talent will allow you to use your voice to sing praises to the Lord in such a manner that those around you will feel strengthened and built up. Colossians 3:16, 2 Chronicles 5:12-13, Nehemiah 12:42, James 5:13
Music-Instrumental: This gift or glorified talent will allow you to play an instrument in such a manner that it will bring praise to God and build up those around you. 1 Chronicles16:42, Psalm 150:4-5, Isaiah 38:20
Serving: The gift of serving will allow you to see things that need to be done. Often these are tasks overlooked by others, especially those in leadership positions. Assuming the role of a servant will bring you much joy and will build up the Body of Christ. Romans 12:7 (NIV), 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Romans 14:18-19
Shepherding: The gift of shepherding (pastoring) will give you the ability to reach out and care in a spiritual manner for an individual or for a group. You will serve as one who is a counselor, an encourager, a shepherd. You will see that God's Word is fed to those in your care and you will also feel a responsibility for the general well-being of the individual or group.
Teaching: The gift of teaching will give you the ability to share knowledge with members of the Body (children and/or adults) that will serve in building them up in Christ. Your teaching will aid the growth and health of the Body. 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11, Acts 20:20-21
Tongues: The gift of tongues enables some Christians to praise God either in another language not yet learned or in ecstatic utterance which is not an earthly language. In either case one's prayer is addressed to God, not to other people. Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 14
Tongues, Interpretation of: The interpretation of tongues is required if speaking in tongues is exercised publicly. This gift enables one to interpret the other's intent or meaning of what was uttered to God by the one being interpreted.
Wisdom: The gift of wisdom will allow you to have a special understanding of situations that arise in peoples lives. You will be able to offer counsel and advice. As you do this, the Body of Christ will become more healthy and grow. 1 Corinthians 12:8, Acts 6:3-10, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Writing: This gift, or glorified talent, will allow you to put your thoughts and ideas into words that will be meaningful and relevant to those who read them. As they are read, people will find guidance, knowledge, courage, or edification. Psalm 45:1, Philippians 3:1, Jude 3
Characteristics of persons who have the spiritual gift of:
Administration, Leadership, Giving Aid, and Shepherding
provides assistance and/or guidance
inspires others
always looking ahead
visualizes goals
ability to know what resources are available
detail person
not distracted easily
person who is loyal
has confidence in their ability
delegates assignments
can see the end product
enjoys a challenge
Serving, Helps
task oriented
practical ability to do what needs to be done
puts others needs ahead of their own
knows that serving is necessary
feels a great deal of satisfaction in being needed
enjoys being and working with others
a team player
especially likes a variety of short-term projects
Mercy, Compassion, Exhortation, Hospitality, Encouragement
values and appreciates others
a genuine person
naturally attracts people
helps people see their potential or grow to their potential
ability to identify with people
understands and/or carefully examines a situation
good listener
welcoming personality
cheerful
generally outgoing
positive outlook
brings out the best in others
Giving
financial support of a variety of worthy projects and general support of church ministries
wise investor
gives quietly (not boastful)
shows qualities of faithfulness and commitment
content with basic necessities
ability to see financial needs
likes to motivate others to give
Discernment
able to see things that need doing
aware of needs in the lives of others
ability to clarify events or situations
can separate facts
keenly perceptive
make concise judgments
Apostleship, Evangelism
ability to communicate the Christian message
sharing their faith
pioneer spirit
motivated by travel, adventure, language, and geography
help others change their life
feel at ease giving personal testimony
Teaching, Words of Wisdom, Words of Knowledge, Prophecy
desires justice (right from wrong)
against deception
someone who can sense something is not what it seems to be
able to direct toward a sound course of action
having sound judgment
learned person
Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Intercession, Prayer, Faith
prayer creates a special relationship with them and God
knows that prayer is the key to our survival in a sinful world
knows that prayer is a vital part of everyday living
places a situation in God's care
committed to and firm belief that prayer can produce change, make a difference, alter the outcome of a given situation, provide strength and peace of mind
knows that there is power in prayer
they have sincere and complete belief in God's power
they have an intimate relationship with the creator
Miracles, Healing, Faith
total confidence and commitment in the Bible as the Word of God
total belief in God's existence
deep-rooted faith in God's intervention
firm belief in divine and supernatural ability, directed from God
totally lays any situation at Jesus' feet
expects answers
insistent
persistent in their request
assertive with their request (does not necessarily mean that they are an assertive person in their everyday life)
Abbreviated Spiritual Gifts Inventory
This inventory is only a start to exploring your spiritual gifts. It is not an exhaustive listing of gifts nor is it the only way to determine your gifts. If you would like to take a more extensive inventory or talk with someone about your spiritual gifts, please contact Michelle Vanderzyden at the church office or at michelletrinityashlandorg.