The "Spiritual Gift" of 'Well I think..."
A person with this gift loves to share their thoughts, opinions and ideas with everyone. They always have a better way of doing things and can tell you story after story of how something isn't being done right. Of course they also have an acute understanding of why all these problem exists in the church, and of course, how they would fix it - and most sentences start with, "Well I think...." Thoughts are often devoid of any biblical wisdom but loaded with plenty of personal pride.
The "Spiritual Gift" of Criticism
These people can not sit through a service, attend any function or serve well in any ministry because they always see the glass as half empty. They look for every little thing that's wrong instead of celebrating the things that are right. They are constant initiators of disagreements and dissatisfaction because they often work behind the scenes pointing out all that's wrong without ever lifting a finger to fix it. They can do this up close, but they often choose to work from a distance, jump to conclusions and use limited knowledge. Their criticism is often communicated either anonymously or through emails, letter, blogs, wall posts or other impersonal means.
The "Spiritual Gift" of Opposition
These people have a deeply felt belief that they need to be against anything and everything that doesn't fit their understanding of the Bible, God and the teachings of Christ. They are right, all others are wrong. If they think a certain translation of the Bible is right - all others must be wrong and so they oppose them. If they think a particular denomination or style of worship is right, all others are wrong and they oppose them. The same goes for theological issues - whatever conclusion they've reached is right and all others are wrong, so they oppose them. They aren't passive opposers, but active attackers who feel that exercising this spiritual gift is a God-given responsibility regardless of how they approach it.
The "Spiritual Gift" of Justifying
Those with this gift find any and every reason to explain away their thoughts, conclusions and behaviors without ever considering that maybe,just maybe, they should change them. If they're rude and disrespectful, it's ok, because they're just trying to share the truth and people don't like the truth. If they sin, there's always a good reason that makes it alright in that particular situation. They can never actually be accused of doing wrong because they know they're always right.
The "Spiritual Gift" of Discouragement
This is perhaps the most popular and prevalent of the gifts I don't want. People with this gift are always ready to give an answer to the hope that you have and it's usually in the form of why they couldn't or wouldn't and why you shouldn't do something. Want to reach out to the community in a creative way? Someone with this gift would say you shouldn't, maybe because it's not Biblical or it will cost too much or even just that they don't like it; anything to discourage you. They have the uncanny ability to manufacture reasons why things cannot be done, as well as supporting thoughts about all that would go wrong if you did do it. They find joy in others failures because it often provides the opportunity for them to say, "I told you so" while giving them a reference point for the next time they want to discourage you.
How frustrating and disappointing it is that people with these kinds of gifts are the ones that get the most attention in the church. They give us a bad name and give Christ a black-eye. And I'm sure there are others I missed. What are some of the "spiritual gifts" that you don't want?
9 comments:
Isn't church the very place these people need to be? Furthermore isn't Discovery church a good church for that? Hopefully we wouldn't sit and talk about them, pointing out all of their shortcomings a faults unlike some other churches. Rather, we should be willing, in love, to reach out and point out that their behavior isn't acceptable. I hope they don't stay far far away from our church. Rather I hope they come. Usually, not always, but usually, people that are over-critical, mean and see the world as half empty are the very individuals who are deeply hurting and in desperate need of a savior.
B. thanks for pointing out something that I need to clarify. I'm not talking about people who need Jesus. Of course we want them hanging around with all their problems, hurts, bad habits and all. And I think you're right, Discovery is a great place for them to find acceptance and help.
What I'm talking about here are people who are already believers. People who are inside the church because they're part of the church - saved through faith in Christ, but rather than eagerly desiring the greater gifts, they are constantly exercising these kinds of "gifts."
So no, I still don't want believers who claim to be saved and following Jesus to poison Discovery (or any other church for that matter). It's these very kind of people that give Christians a bad name. Rather than being conformed to the image of Christ, they try to conform others to their image.
Jason,
Amazing post. I just pray that I don't or ever find myself wrapped up using these "gifts" - If I ever begin using these gifts, PLEASE don't hold back and let me know immediately and put me on the road to correction.
Good stuff bro...
-Brizzle
I guess I keep coming back to what Christ prayed for before He went to the cross. He prayed for our unity! That we would be one! So that outsiders would see Him through us!
In John 17 Jesus prayed "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Hey Jason... I think you are pointing out some serious issues that are prevalent in many churches, and I hope we learn how to love each other better. It is hard, but it is possible. Christ is in us! I think you did hit a nerve with some, and that is why the respond the way that they do. I think using the phrase "spiritual gift" to describe some of these may be a bit confusing and distract from your point? But the main point you are trying to make is right on. Paul's epistles are full of similar rebukes and encouragements.
Well, I normally really appreciate your posts and agree with many things, but this one is way off. You say "of course people who need Jesus should be here" doesn't EVERYONE need Jesus? We aren't just saved and then sent on our merry way on our path of perfection. The unsaved, NEED Jesus. The saved NEED Jesus. The pastors still NEED Jesus. We are all still brothers and sisters in Christ, and not a single one of us is perfect. Many of these things are sins, and are no better or worse than others. If you want to be a pastor and encourage your congregation, you should accept all types of people, no matter how "frustrating or disappointing" they may be to you. My husband and my son disappoint me all the time, I love them anyways. Can you imagine how much we have disappointed God? Countless times for me, I know.
Anyways, this wasn't meant to be rude, I think you are a great man. I just completely disagree with this post. We all just need to learn how to love one another. These people are the way they are as a chain reaction from their lives. You can't bring them up when you turn them away. I have learned to love, because I was loved by the Lord and by many awesome, patient people even though I wasn't a very "good" person. YOU helped me personally as well.
Kyleigh, I appreciate your point of view, but the people Jason is referring to(I believe) are counting on people with your perspective, because you will kindly and lovingly listen to them, while they jabber on and complain about their church experience without any intention on being part of the solution. It is always dangerous to categorize people especially church folks cuz it tends to create division, but these examples are long term, and habitual "gifts" that poison the church experience for everyone.
Secondly, our role and Jason's role are a little different at Discovery. As a Pastor/Shepherd he is accountable for our direction and environment. A shepherd (literally) can see the dangerous ground ahead of the flock and must steer them around danger, and when danger is inevitable the shepherd puts himself between the flock and danger (ie a wolf)to protect them. Meanwhile the sheep are expected to stay together.
Every person who comes to our church deserves respect, honor and a listening ear. Whatever issues they are struggling with we are happy to walk with them in these struggles, But those Christians who use the church for their own "soap box" to steer us in a different direction or try to supplant the authority God has put us under (ie The Pastor),need a change of heart and they wont find such a platform at Discovery.
This is MY perspective on it.
I completely and 100% understand what you are saying, and I am not going to write out a huge comment again because I have already expressed my opinion. I just thank God that most churches do not turn away people for such unjustified reasons, we surely wouldn't have as many saved if that was the way every church acted. I live nowhere near NC, and if I did, after reading a post such as this I would stay far away. Talk about a turn off. LOVE attracts. Discrimination by any means doesn't. That is just my opinion. If people cared enough to learn to love one another despite their faults, there wouldn't be as many problems in the church. Just my 0.02.
I totally thought of it like this... We are talking about people that are bringing in things that can destroy a church. If we change a few words, it becomes easier to understand (at least for me). Instead of negative gifts, imagine it is a large shotgun. Not as eternally damning as the killing of the church, but handy in a bad situation. Imagine a person strolls into church with it. Do you necessarily want them to be there with that...nooooo you don't. Not just a random person with a shotgun walking down the hallway. Yes, we need to save his soul, but we also need to protect the ones that are here too. It is a better idea to keep him outside of the church until you can disarm them (take the gun:)) with Christ's love outside, then welcome them into the flock to protect and nurture them the same way. There are ways to disarm the negative gifts outside the church and then bring them in as the family in Christ they are. Just because they didn't get inside doesn't mean that we aren't trying to help them, only to protect the people already here until they have been disarmed. Christ doesn't only work inside the church walls, so why should we limit His ability to reach everyone that needs reaching.
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