How to Know Your Equipping Gift

One of the break outs I did at Exponential 2011: On the Verge was on how to live out the five-fold gifting that the Apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 4, which happens to be the topic of the book that I am currently writing for InterVarsity Press. I’m hoping to finish the first draft this month. The book is due out the summer of 2012.

During the question answer time, someone was asking me a question in regard to to the equippers and how they work together, having such different passions and orientations to ministry. In answering that question I hit upon one of the best way to discern your equipping gift. Check out this Verge video to see what I said about this.

If you liked this short clip, be sure to go to the Verge Network and retweet it and/or share the video on facebook. Let me know if it produces any other questions for you.

4 Responses to How to Know Your Equipping Gift

1. Evan Hansen says:

   July 15, 2011 at 8:17 am

   I’m tracking right with you, JR. Just last night some people were calling me out about my attitude of judgement with regard to the church. They were chastising me for being too critical of our lack of cultural tact and quality artistic engagement. Over the course of our conversation I basically told them that as an evangelist, I get the most frustrated when I see the church engaging in acts that are counterproductive to good evangelistic engagement.

   The flip side of being so passionate about these things is a temptation to mock and dismiss people in the church who, in my judgment, aren’t performing excellent work. Last night, it was clear that I need to root any of my frustrations in love for those INSIDE the church as much my love for those OUTSIDE of the church. My frustrations are good, but I can’t allow them to lead me to a sinful place. Good stuff.

   Reply
2. JR Woodward says:

   July 15, 2011 at 11:32 am

   Evan,

   I hear you man. Good word. As an Apostle/Evangelist I can empathize with you. I always remind myself that part of our work as an evangelist is to help the church be a faithful sign and foretaste of the kingdom, which helps. Thanks for your thoughts.

   Reply
3. Ron says:

   July 15, 2011 at 12:04 pm

   Hi JR,
   After watching that clip I realized that I may be trying to live out a 5-fold function that I’m not called to.
   Do you have any more material that assists in identifying where in the 5-fold ministry one actually resides?

   Blessings!

   Reply
4. JR Woodward says:

   July 16, 2011 at 9:26 am

   Ron,

   I will be addressing that further in my upcoming book. But for a starter, some of the other best ways to discern our gift is at the intersection of our passions, places where we are fruitful and what our direct community considers our gifts to be. The intersection of those three areas is a strong indication of our gifting. I hope that helps.

   Reply