What are Spiritual Gifts?
You may be wondering, “What is a spiritual gift, and did I get one?” Spiritual gifts can be described as special abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to every Believer according to God’s design and grace for the common good of the body of Christ.* This Biblical principal is taken from 1Corinthians 12:11 and 1Peter 4:10
Spiritual Gifts*
(in alphabetical order)
Administration: Divine enablement to understand what makes an organization function and the special ability to plan and execute procedures that accomplish the goals of the ministry.
Apostleship: Divine enablement to start and oversee the development of new churches or ministry structures.
Craftsmanship: Divine enablement to creatively design and/or construct items to be used for ministry.
Creative communication: Divine enablement to communicate God’s truth through various art forms.
Discernment: Divine enablement to distinguish between truth and error. To discern between good and evil.
Encouragement: Divine enablement to present truth so as to strengthen, comfort or urge to action those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith.
Evangelism: Divine enablement to effectively communicate the gospel to unbelievers so they respond.
Faith: Divine enablement to act on God’s promises with confidence and unwavering belief in God’s ability to fulfill his purposes.
Giving: Divine enablement to contribute money and resources to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and liberality.
Healing: Divine enablement to be God’s means for restoring people to wholeness.
Hospitality: Divine enablement to care for people by providing fellowship, food and shelter.
Intercession: Divine enablement to consistently pray on behalf of and for others, seeing frequent and specific results.
Interpretation: Divine enablement to make known to the Body of Christ the message of one who is speaking in tongues.
Knowledge: Divine enablement to bring truth to the body through a revelation or biblical insight.
Leadership: Divine enablement to cast vision, motivate and direct people to accomplish the purposes of God.
Mercy: Divine enablement to cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or are in need. It is compassion moved to action.
Miracles: Divine enablement to authenticate the ministry and message of God through supernatural interventions which glorify Him.
Prophecy: Divine enablement to reveal truth and proclaim it in a timely and relevant manner for understanding, correction, repentance or edification.
Shepherding: Divine enablement to nurture, care for and guide people toward ongoing spiritual maturity and becoming like Christ.
Teaching: Divine enablement to understand, clearly explain and apply the Word of God, causing greater Christ-likeness in those who listen.
Tongues: Divine enablement to speak, worship or pray in a language unknown to the speaker. They may receive a spontaneous message from God, which is made known to the body through the gift of interpretation.
Wisdom: Divine enablement to apply spiritual truth effectively to meet a need in a specific situation.
* As described in the Willow Creek Association Workbook from Regional Workshops 2000