what is your shape?
In our church we don’t have a ministry that is made up of just a few extraordinary Christians. We don’t’ have a ministry made of the few. In our church we have an Every-member ministry. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ … Now the body is not made up of one part but of many … Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
The church is the body of Christ. Every Christian is a member of that body with a distinctive contribution to make to the life of the body. And the Lord has structured the church like a body composed of different and varied members. It is this variety that enables our physical body and the body of Christ to function effectively.
Within the church the members are different. This is God's design and purpose. Furthermore, it is God's prerogative to give us a particular gift or gifts, therefore there should be no jealously among the members for the differences are of God's creating.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)
S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym for five characteristics that help to determine God’s unique purpose for your life. The five characteristics are Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. The better an individual understands each of these characteristics, the better he or she is able to discern their place in the Body of Christ.
The church is the body of Christ. Every Christian is a member of that body with a distinctive contribution to make to the life of the body. And the Lord has structured the church like a body composed of different and varied members. It is this variety that enables our physical body and the body of Christ to function effectively.
Within the church the members are different. This is God's design and purpose. Furthermore, it is God's prerogative to give us a particular gift or gifts, therefore there should be no jealously among the members for the differences are of God's creating.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)
S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym for five characteristics that help to determine God’s unique purpose for your life. The five characteristics are Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. The better an individual understands each of these characteristics, the better he or she is able to discern their place in the Body of Christ.