Administration provides insight into the management of kingdom resources, human or material. This could involve assisting believers in Discovering, Developing & Doing their spiritual gifts so they can Fit, Function & Flourish in ministry. Likewise, it may entail overseeing finances, developing and managing systems & overall operations. These are wise counselors in the body. (The Septuagint uses this same word in Prov 24:6 & 11:14.)

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Nehemiah's ability to Recruit, Re-train, Resource, Review & Reward workers resulted in the miraculous building of the wall around Jerusalem . His ability to strategize, gather materials, and resolve conflict was critical to success.

Apostleship is the ability to communicate across cultural barriers and to plant churches. At times an apostolic gifting will be called upon to establish divine governments in churches where leadership is needed. This “authority” is always at the request of the local pastor and leadership is never usurped. It is usually accompanied with a distinct calling and a miraculous lifestyle. The Greek (apostolos) signifies "a sent one", or "a messenger", a Missionary . Scripture lists several apostles besides the Twelve and Paul- Judas's replacement, Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabus (Acts 14:14), possibly Andronicus and Junius ( Rom. 16:7), Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25); Silas & Timothy (I Thess. 1:1 -w- 2:6)

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Paul “ Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. ”—II Cor. 12:12

Mercy transcends both natural human sympathy and Christian concern, enabling one to deeply empathize and affirm the hurts of another and then provide a supportive ministry of caring. Those operating in this gift may be misunderstood as being weak or co-dependent.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37)

Discerning of Spirits is the heightened ability to determine whether the source behind a teaching, problem, or action is divine, merely human, or satanic. From time to time, may be able to see into the spiritual realm of demons, angels or human spirits.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Elisha (II Kgs. 6:16-17); Jesus (Mk. 9:25); Paul (Acts 16:18)

Evangelism is a special ability to lead unconverted persons to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to encourage others to do the same. The person with this gift has the wisdom to know when, who, and how to call the rebellious into the Kingdom of God .

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Philip (Acts 8:5-13; 26-40; 21:8)

Exhortation is the gift of being able to encourage others by well timed and uplifting words & deeds. This gift builds the Body of Christ by infusing people with optimism and faith. The Exhorter is willing to become personally involved in resolving disputes (Acts 9:26-31) and is quick to understand other's faults and forgive (Acts 15:36-41 -w- II Tim. 4:11). Well loved and popular. Enjoys practical teaching that results in action.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Barnabus (Acts 4:36)

Faith as a gift is the extraordinary confidence in God that is beyond the faith available to all believers.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Daniel (Dan. 6:16-23); Paul (Acts 27:21-26)

Giving sensitizes one to detect & bestow material needs with Spirit inspired liberality in such a way that both giver and recipient have a clear sense that God has provided, not man.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Abraham (Gen. 13:2, 8-9) was willing to give “all” (Isaac) if God required.

Healing facilitates the impartation of God's healing grace. The gifts of healings (double plural in the Greek text) comprise miraculous healing of the body, mind, emotions, and relationships.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Elisha (II Kgs. 5:1-19); Jesus (Mk. 7:34); Paul (Acts 19:11)

Helps/Ministry allows one to assist in “practical acts of service.” Often, this gift is erroneously viewed as unspiritual and merely natural abilities. While it is true that the skills employed in the operation of this gift may be natural abilities, they are supernaturally enhanced by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, enabling both the gifted and the recipient to experience God's especial presence and touch. Those with this gift should be highly esteemed in the Body. Those so gifted have the ability to recall the likes and dislikes of others and try to meet needs as quickly as possible. Often difficult to say, “no” and have a tendency for burnout, if not careful. Will use personal funds to see goals accomplished. May have difficulty receiving help from others. Have need for appreciation and may be misunderstood by others as being unspiritual. Prefer short-range goals.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Martha (Lk. 10:38-42)

Hospitality is the special ability of entertaining guests, warmly welcoming others and generally being God's Host/Hostesses with a true spirit of servanthood. This gift is especially needed in home groups, Hospitality/Greeter Ministry and for Activity Ministries.

(1 Peter 4:9-10)

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Elders (I Tim. 3:2)

Intercession is a gifting to pray, worship and do warfare in the Spirit. Just as the gifts of Giving, Healing, Evangelism, etc., give special grace to operate beyond the call of every Christian to give, pray for the sick and witness, the Intercessor will have the capacity to pray for hours with a focus, fervency and faith beyond that of most Christians.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: “ Epaphras…always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God .”—Col. 4:12

Word of Knowledge is special illumination dealing primarily with a past or present event or fact about a person or situation revealed directly by the Holy Spirit. It is not learned knowledge that comes by experience or study. It is not a library card into God's omniscience. It is a fragmentary bit of knowledge that convicts, encourages and assures the recipient that God is present in the situation.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Elisha (II Kgs. 5:20-27; 6:8-12); Jesus (Jn. 4:16-19); Peter (Acts 10:17-19)

Leadership in the Greek “ proistemi ” translates "one who stands in front of others." Leaders KNOW the way, SHOW the way and GO the way and therefore lead by example, so that others are prompted to follow (1Cor 11:1). Those with the gift of leadership are influencers, motivators and vision casters. Leaders not only “see” opportunities, but “seize” opportunities.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Moses (through his leadership, Israel was emancipated and received the Law)

Miracles is the ability to transcend the laws of nature. It is not the New Birth, answered prayer, a beautiful sunset, or a “miracle” drug. It is a “Divine Intervention” upon the normal course of nature.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Moses (Ex. 7-14); Jesus (Jn. 2:1-11); Elisha (II Kgs. 6:1-7)

Musicianship is the ability to play/sing skillfully while performing the priestly role of leading people to the throne of God through praise and worship. A godly musician will seek to glorify God and not self.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: When Elisha requested a musician: “ …when the musician played…the hand of the LORD came upon him …” (II Kgs. 3:14-15). David, was a renowned musician (I Sam. 16:14-23) who, as King, ordained musicians “ over the service of song in the house of the LORD ” (I Chron. 6:31-32).

The New Testament is mute on the subject of music, with the exception of passages exhorting us that we should be “ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord ” (Eph. 5:19). Jesus and the Disciples, at the conclusion of the last Supper, sang a hymn (Mt. 26:30). In Revelation 4:8, we read, “ …the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp , and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song … ” Here we see Intercession and Worship Music .

Pastor is a term, primarily interchangeable with the terms Elder [Gr. Presbyturos meaning older; mature ] and Bishop [Gr. Episkopos meaning overseer ]. The Pastor's [Gr. Poimen meaning shepherd ] responsibility is to feed, guide, care for and discipline the flock of God. The New Testament example seems to indicate a plurality of elders. For an exhaustive study see Appendix A.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:17, 28)

Prophecy is speaking forth God's truths for edification, exhortation and comfort (I Cor. 14:3) The emphasis is on telling forth, not foretelling (prediction), however there is New Testament precedent for the predictive element. The goal of prophecy is the confrontation of the truth about God and man—followed by faith and obedience. At times may seem somewhat harsh or direct.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Agabus (Acts 21:10-14); John the Baptist (Lk. 3:3-20)

Teaching is the ability to understand and communicate the Christian faith, facilitating comprehension, growth and discipleship. This is accomplished by instruction, oversight and accountability. In recent years the terms Mentoring or Coaching would best describe the teaching gift. The teaching ministry extends well beyond the classroom or simple lecturing. Those with this gift delight in research, emphasize accuracy and abhor scriptures taken out of context. Are adamant about validating truth with scripture. At times, details may seem unnecessary to listeners.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Paul (Acts 13:1; I Tim. 2:7; II Tim. 1:11)

Tongues enables Christians to pray or praise God either in another language not learned (Acts 2) or in an ecstatic utterance which is not an earthly language (1 Cor 14). In either case, one's prayer or praise is directed to God, not to other people (1 Cor 14:2).

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Mk. 16:17; I Cor. 14:21

Interpretation of Tongues is required if speaking in tongues is exercised publicly in a voice that rises above the congregation. This gift allows one to declare to others the intent or meaning of the public ecstatic utterance, so that the entire Body is built up. I have yet to see a scripture where the interpretation will be a message from God. Scripture only speaks of it being prayer or praise. I believe that the message that follows a tongue is actually a prophecy that was inspired by the tongue and is not actually the interpretation of the tongue. I would not make this belief a point of contention. However, I would encourage the leadership of a congregation to submit this to the Body they serve and facilitate it accordingly. This would involve the leadership praying about it and, as the Spirit leads, to give forth interpretations in the form of prayers and praise.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Acts 13:2; I Cor. 14

Word of Wisdom is special illumination dealing primarily with a course of action one needs to undertake, revealed directly by the Holy Spirit. It is not learned wisdom that comes by experience or study. It is not a library card into God's omniscience. It is a fragmentary bit of wisdom that convicts, encourages and assures the recipient that God is present in the situation. The goal is that the recipient will be enabled to grasp divine insight regarding a fact, situation, or context.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES: Joseph's dreams (Gen. 37-50); Jesus (Mt. 17:27); John (Rev. 2 & 3 where the Word of Knowledge reveals past and present situations and the Word of Wisdom grants divine insight into action the churches need to pursue.

FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY GIFTS (Eph. 4:10-13):

It has been said that the Apostle GOVERNS, the Prophet GUIDES, the Evangelist GATHERS, the Pastor GUARDS, and the Teacher GROUNDS. To further delineate, an illustration using the fingers of the hand can be helpful: the Apostle is the THUMB that grips, the Prophet is the index finger that points, the Evangelist is the middle finger that stands out, the Pastor is the ring finger that is married to the church, and the Teacher is the little finger that brings balance.

Ezekiel saw in a vision creatures that had four faces: “ …each had the face of a man…lion …ox…eagle (Ez. 1:10). One might consider that the Apostle is the LION that roars , the Prophet is the EAGLE that soars , the Evangelist is the OX that gores , and the Pastor & Teacher represent the MAN that restores .

GIFTS IN I Cor. 12:7-10 : Some have categorized them into 3 groupings:

UTTERANCE ( SPEAK ) POWER ( DO ) REVELATION ( KNOW )

Tongues Faith Word of Wisdom

Interpretation Working of Miracles Word of Knowledge

Prophecy Gifts of Healings Discerning of Spirits

A WORD ABOUT TALENTS VS. GIFTS :