Promoting the Expression of Spiritual Gifts

[navygoat1998]

http://georgeowood.com/promoting-the...iritual-gifts/

Article written by Dr George Wood General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God.

Promoting the Expression of Spiritual Gifts
I see two major differences between the church of a generation or two ago and the church today. First, in the Assemblies of God we have many larger churches where the sheer numbers of people present call for more careful controls from the platform in the order of a service. Second, we have a culture that has largely shifted from participation to observation. We have many believers who are content to be mere spectators in a service. Within this environment, one of the greatest challenges a pastor will face is the dual responsibility of nurturing the full Pentecostal life of the church while curtailing any abuses or misuses of gifts.

Pastors and congregations who work together to promote the widest possible expression of spiritual gifts will see their churches reach the greatest potential for growth and community outreach. There must be deliberate planning to help the congregation understand that each service is a participatory event. Just as the pastor and the leadership are to be praying, the congregation also needs to be praying that the Holy Spirit will find receptive vessels for whatever form of ministry He chooses to use.