In today's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I want to remind you that you have a part in the success of Dayspring. It is your privilege and responsibility to use your gifts for the edification of the body (1 Peter 4:10,11). Christians hold a variety of different views on the spiritual gifts, but most all recognize the biblical teaching that God gives every Christian special enablements to use in building up the body. The pages of the Bible contain several lists of the spiritual gifts but they vary considerably. Apparently, God tailor makes the gift mix for each church. We can have the confidence that the Spirit provides what every congregation needs to make disciples. Both words used in the Bible for gifts emphasize their origin: "pneumatika" means Spirit, and "charismata" means grace. God takes care of each flock by giving the church what they need.

It is a shame that some Christians have become so fascinated and divided over the more spectacular gifts and have often neglected the importance of other useful gifts like exhortation, mercy and helps. May we not be like the immature Corinthian church who erred in forgetting that God gifts believers to build up the body, not themselves (I Cor 12-14). You can use your gifts to participate in genuine ministry here, for at Dayspring, every member is a minister!