Sherri L Hull CHMN 201-D05 04/07/2014 Spiritual Gifts Paper Part One: What are my top 2 spiritual gift? Do I agree with the results? Why or Why not? The top two spiritual gifts from my assessment were Administration and Teaching, with Pastor/Shepherd receiving the same assessment score. Based on my background in Purchasing and Job Costing, I would have to agree with the Administration score; however, Teaching and Pastor/Shepherd has me somewhat confused. The descriptions of each of these, and how they appear to go hand-in-hand does; however, make sense. According to the assessment descriptions, if a person scores high in Teaching but not in Pastor/Shepherding they probably would not make a good Sunday school teacher; therefore, receiving the same score arouses my curiosity what does God see something in me, that I do not. My position as a job costing supervisor has taught me to account for each material being used in the manufacturing industry. Along with my former purchasing responsibilities, both positions back up the assessment score in Administration. The assessment further defines my score in Teaching/Shepherding, as a person who enjoys research. At times this person can be technical. This would represent the details of any given work or research being done, everything needs an explanation. It also defines the person as one who needs to be accommodating when deadlines near and pressure increases. This skillset may become beneficial to the calling I believe God has placed in my heart for the victims of the human trafficking industry. Part two: How can I use my gifts at this time? How might these gifts become misused? I had an opportunity to utilize my gifts of Administration and Teaching; as the assessment has defined them, while assisting with a mission that our church is actively involved with in the Philippines. Our sister church has established a place to aid rescued victims of human trafficking by teaching them, to become self-sufficient. Services will include providing them with practical skills to support their families with dignity and humanity. Utilizing my Administration skills, I submitted a very detailed research paper to my Pastor to be presented to potential financial supporters. The urgent need for monetary support was time sensitive. The research’s main objective was to construction of a place in Cebu, Philippines to provide spiritual healing and to teach rescued victims to support themselves and their families once out of the dehumanizing industry. This paper also discussed the corruption that was causing much of the red tape my pastors were experiencing. I can see how the gift of Teaching had surfaced during this project. This may also be where the Pastor/Shepherd gift comes in; it includes watching over those under my care, and doing so with compassion. It further defines one as having a Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by caring for the needs of others. My heart is to share my personal experiences to help victims realize that God does love them. Sometimes, it is hard to tell someone you truly understand their pain if you have never been in their position. Another positive with my score in Administrative is that, I enjoy organizing fundraisers, and as I grow in the Lord, He may help me to develop these skills to become an asset for His purpose. Overall, the assessment reveals my gifts are best utilized as a mission/teacher. I believe God has more planned for me than I could ever imagine. Am I in full agreement with these results? After reading the meanings behind my scores, I would have to say yes. The definitions have put several things into perspective for me. To prevent misusing these gifts, I need to remember that gifts from God, and not my talents. I can be a “perfectionist” at times, and this may cause errors or even insensitivity in a sensitive situation. Being prepared and asking for guidance is the keys to using God’s gifts for His glory. I also need to remember to not only tell others about His love but to show them, through action. I also need to not take too much responsibly on personally and remember to make time for my family as I strive to get the best results I can out of almost everything I attempt to accomplish. Part Three: What are my two lowest scoring gifts? Do I agree or disagree? Why or why not? My two lowest scoring gifts were Exhortation and Giving. I would agree with both of these scores. Regarding the exhortation assessment score, I do not have the gift to persuade people to believe something that they do not wish to accept or have faith. When I try to share the Gospel, I understand it is the Holy Spirit at work, and I truly have nothing to do with whether people are hearing the Word or not. I am usually able to best share the Word through my own experience rather than strict biblical teachings. I myself am still new to Christ and am still a babe learning to take her first big steps. I would have to agree with Exhortation being a weakness of mine. I do believe that there are many ways to give, and as much as I enjoy doing the “little” things to help out, I also find myself attempting to get involved more in larger projects. I have found that, I try to do too many little things or the large projects this tends to put me in over-my-head at times. Finding a balance between family and school has already providing some discrepancies; although, I do have a heart to give what I can and when or where I can, my time is extremely limited. If giving is in the financial sense, giving of time would prevail over giving momentarily. My fiancé and I have found that God has gifted us to give in ways other people may not be able to. For example, he is an industrial mechanic, and I have an artistic side; when we cannot extend ourselves monetarily, God has provided a way for us to give back to Him through helping fix things at the church or helping with the stage productions our kids’ church puts on. Part Four: What impact does this knowledge have on your involvement in ministry? This information has provided insight as to why some doors open and others close. I do not have full understanding of these gifts at the present time, however, God knows with what He has blessed me. His revelation will reveal in time exactly what my purpose is. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you…” (Amplified). I was created for His purpose, and discovering these gifts reveals that He had a purpose for me before I knew I had a purpose myself. This assessment has helped me understand why I feel a tugging on my heart for victims of human trafficking. Even though I never considered myself a Teacher or Shepherd, I can see how these gifts have already been utilized in my participation with the mission my church is involved with in the Philippines. This assessment enlightened my understanding of these gifts and their meanings. Developing my strengths and the gifts this assessment has revealed to me will enable me to begin to develop them and become better prepared to serve Him in all His glory