← All studies

Study 12 of 18

Church Planning and Spiritual Gifts

Planning biblically and deploying the gifts of every member

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

The latter part of chapter 4 addresses church planning and the deployment of spiritual gifts. It warns against the tendency to think of the church only in institutional terms and to do a job oneself rather than develop another person to do it. The handbook insists that 'no one person represents the body of Christ by himself,' and that each one's gift, used properly, builds the body (Eph. 4:16). It urges the elder to study spiritual gifts — 'the strength of one servant of God may not be the strength of another' — to identify them through inventories and observation, and to deploy members where their gifts fit. The chapter also treats conflict resolution, encouraging spiritual renewal, and protecting the pastor's family and recreation time, all under the heading of servant leadership: 'whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.'

Key points

  • Plan biblically — the church is a body, not merely an institution.
  • It is easier to do a job yourself, but developing others is the elder's calling.
  • No one person represents the body of Christ; each gift builds the whole (Eph. 4:16).
  • Identify and deploy spiritual gifts rather than filling slots by convenience.
  • Servant leadership: greatness is service (Mark 10:43-45).

Key texts

  • Ephesians 4:16
  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
  • Romans 12:4-8
  • Mark 10:43-45
  • 1 Peter 4:10
  1. Comprehension

    1. What tendency does the handbook warn against in how we think of the church?

  2. Comprehension

    2. Restate the handbook's claim that 'no one person represents the body of Christ by himself.'

  3. Scripture

    3. Read Ephesians 4:16. What causes the body to grow according to this text?

  4. Doctrinal Clarity

    4. How should spiritual gifts be perceived, and how should they NOT be perceived?

  5. Comprehension

    5. What practical steps does the handbook give for identifying spiritual gifts?

  6. Scripture

    6. Read 1 Peter 4:10. What does Peter say each one should do with the gift received?

  7. Doctrinal Clarity

    7. How does the chapter connect conflict resolution to the elder's role?

  8. Contrast

    8. Contrast a planning session that fills slots with one that deploys gifts.

  9. Scripture

    9. Read Mark 10:43-45. How does Christ redefine greatness, and how does the elder apply it?

  10. Application

    10. Name one member in your church whose gift is currently unused and one ministry that could use it.