Congregational Life Centre
Our mission is to help leaders acquire the skills and attitudes they need to lead
Prisms
Identifying Gifts that Reveal God's Creative Spirit
by Joyce Madsen and Clair Woodbury
We cannot see light, but when you shine a beam of light through a prism invisible white light turns into a rainbow of colour. We cannot see God, though God's love is all around us. That love becomes visible to us when those around us exercise their God-given gifts. The qualities of leadership, planning communicating, caring, discernment, spirituality, mentoring, and artistic creativity - each is a gift that reveals the love of God.
Each book contains a Spiritual Gifts Inventory questionnaire designed to open areas for exploration. This book can serve as an excellent resource for a congregation workshop or study program.
$11.95
ISBN: 0-9688358-2-1
Published and distributed by
The Congregational Life Centre
#1405, 5328 Calgary Trail,
Edmonton AB T6H 4J8
Contents
1. A Spiritual Prism
2. Gifts
3. Using Our Gifts
4. Channelling Your Passion
5. Companions on the Journey
6. Looking at Community
7. Exploring your Personal Gifts
8. Working with Groups
Appendix A Individual Gifts Instrument
Appendix B Identifying Your Passions
Appendix C Companions on the Journey
Appendix D Community Opportunities
Appendix E Your Personal Prism
Appendix F Exploring Gifts as a Group
Appendix G What Jesus and Paul Say about Gifts
Appendix H Celebrating Gifts
Introduction
We cannot see light. It may be all around us, but light itself is invisible. When you shine a beam of light through a prism - a triangular piece of glass - white light turns into a rainbow of colour. We cannot see God, though God's love is all around us. That love becomes visible to us, however, when those around us exercise their God-given gifts to reach out to us. The qualities of leadership, planning, communicating, caring, discernment, spirituality, mentoring and artistic creative - each is a gift that reveals the love of God.
That is why this resource is called Prisms - it reveals the gifts that reveal God. Congregational Life Centre staff developed this resource because we want individuals to have a clear understanding of what constitute their strongest gifts. We have a deep conviction that it is precisely these gifts that God wants us to use and develop to their maximum potential.
This resource is also for congregations. When a congregation recognizes where the real gifts of its people lie, that congregation has access to a new way to be the church. The benefits begin to appear right away. When people are using their gifts, they finish tasks with more energy than when they began. They develop a deep sense of satisfaction over what they are able to contribute. They relate to others with a smile on their face and love in their heart.
Jesus told his followers, "No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket . . . Let your light shine" (Matt. 5:15-16). We shine when we develop our gifts and use them to the best of our ability.
"You are a gifted individual!" When you realize this, you have access to a new way of being a Christian. Too often in the past, being a Christian meant following someone else's model of how to relate to God, how to relate to others, and where to put your energy. That is changing today. We relate to God in a way that flows naturally out of the spiritual practices that fit us best. It is our gifts that guide how we contribute to the welfare of others and where we put our energy.
We wrote this book because we want individuals to have a clear understanding of what constitute their strongest gifts. We have a deep conviction that it is precisely these gifts that God wants us to use and develop to their maximum potential.
There is a great freedom in going with your gifts - sensing a call to do what you do best and be even better at it than you ever have been. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "For freedom Christ has set us free," (Galatians 5:1) and "You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters." (Gal. 5:13) If he were alive today he would be writing those same words to churches all over - it is freedom to which you have been called, the freedom to use the gifts God has given you, because that is precisely why you have been given special gifts, that they might be used. Paul would remind us of Jesus' words, "No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket . . . Let your light shine." (Matt. 5:15-16) We shine when we develop our gifts and use them to the best of our ability.
This book is also for congregations. When a congregation recognizes where the real gifts of its people lie, the benefits begin to appear right away. People finish tasks with more energy than when they began. They develop a deep sense of satisfaction. They relate to others with a smile on their face and love in their heart.
As you read through this resource, you might want to have a candle burning
nearby. You have a light that needs to shine, just like that candle. Jesus
was certainly clear, and we are too, that the task God has given every person
is to release the light their gifts can provide for the world God loves.