One thing that the BUMC family excels at is congregational care, particularly in empowering and equipping lay leaders to offer care and support to other members of the congregation. The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an eight-minute feature on the national Stephen Ministry that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations. You can view the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS website, where you'll also find several bonus features--including a nine-minute interview with Stephen Ministries' founder and executive director, Kenneth C. Haugk.
You can learn more about Stephen Ministry at BUMC here. We truly are blessed to be a blessing.
Showing posts with label spiritual gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual gifts. Show all posts
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, September 28, 2009
Spiritual Gifts
Recently, the subject of spiritual gifts has been on my mind. Several people have expressed a desire to learn more about their gifts, and I have gone into my archives to retrieve some spiritual gifts surveys I have used over the past two-plus decades.
I learned about spiritual gifts in 1987, in my first year in the ministry, in Lamar, Colorado. A colleague of mine from the Foursquare Church talked about how she helped her youth to identify and use their gifts. Spiritual gifts, she emphasized, are the way God empowers believers in Christ for ministry. These gifts, imparted by the Holy Spirit, are in addition to our natural endowments and personal temperaments. Our talents, temperaments, and spiritual gifts combine to equip each one of us uniquely for service.
I have a number of resources available for you to use to discover your spiritual gifts and basic temperament. To understand the way God has created and empowered you for ministry will give you an idea of where you can serve the Lord most effectively. Some people are hesitant to try new areas of service because they don’t know how if they will be effective. Spiritual gift and temperament tests can help reduce this anxiety.
At the same time, the biggest clue to where you will be effective in service is what stirs the most motivation and passion within you. Christ has given each of us motivation to be a part of his work, and that journey begins within -- as you examine the desires of your heart. If you or your small group wants to explore your God-given gifts, temperament, and motivations, I will be happy to meet with you. Just give me a call at 720-880-5221. Also, feel free to share your comments on how you’ve learned about your own gifts and capacities for service. God bless you!
-- Thomas
I learned about spiritual gifts in 1987, in my first year in the ministry, in Lamar, Colorado. A colleague of mine from the Foursquare Church talked about how she helped her youth to identify and use their gifts. Spiritual gifts, she emphasized, are the way God empowers believers in Christ for ministry. These gifts, imparted by the Holy Spirit, are in addition to our natural endowments and personal temperaments. Our talents, temperaments, and spiritual gifts combine to equip each one of us uniquely for service.
I have a number of resources available for you to use to discover your spiritual gifts and basic temperament. To understand the way God has created and empowered you for ministry will give you an idea of where you can serve the Lord most effectively. Some people are hesitant to try new areas of service because they don’t know how if they will be effective. Spiritual gift and temperament tests can help reduce this anxiety.
At the same time, the biggest clue to where you will be effective in service is what stirs the most motivation and passion within you. Christ has given each of us motivation to be a part of his work, and that journey begins within -- as you examine the desires of your heart. If you or your small group wants to explore your God-given gifts, temperament, and motivations, I will be happy to meet with you. Just give me a call at 720-880-5221. Also, feel free to share your comments on how you’ve learned about your own gifts and capacities for service. God bless you!
-- Thomas
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Thank You from Dorothy Ransom
On August 30 BUMC celebrated Dorothy Ransom's 50th anniversary as our organist with formal recognition in all services accompanied by the presentation of roses, one for every year of her music ministry. The United Methodist Women hosted a reception for her all morning long so people could visit with her, which kept Dorothy busy greeting her admirers between rehearsing with the choirs and playing for the traditional services. It was a jam-packed morning of activity, but Dorothy says, "I thank the Lord that I was able to do that!"
She was also blessed to have some family members in attendance, and one daughter who was not able to be here provided beautiful flower arrangements for the Chapel and Sanctuary in honor of her mother's achievement. Dorothy was surprised to see the familiar face of a woman who studied with her over 30 years ago and who now lives in Hawaii. The former student was in town visiting a sick family member but wanted to share in Dorothy's special day while she was here. Apparently her teenage son is now an accomplished pianist in his own right, evidence of how Dorothy's influence continues to be felt through generations.
Dorothy asked us to pass along the following note:
She was also blessed to have some family members in attendance, and one daughter who was not able to be here provided beautiful flower arrangements for the Chapel and Sanctuary in honor of her mother's achievement. Dorothy was surprised to see the familiar face of a woman who studied with her over 30 years ago and who now lives in Hawaii. The former student was in town visiting a sick family member but wanted to share in Dorothy's special day while she was here. Apparently her teenage son is now an accomplished pianist in his own right, evidence of how Dorothy's influence continues to be felt through generations.
Dorothy asked us to pass along the following note:
Thank you, everyone who helped make my 50 years as organist celebration a very special day. I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and good wishes. I thank God for giving me the gift of music to share with you. God bless you!
Dorothy Ransom
God bless you, Dorothy, and all the gifts you continue to share with the BUMC family! 
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Daily Scripture Reading Aug. 5, 2009
Romans 12:1-21
Encourage One Another: True Christian fellowship
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Encourage One Another: True Christian fellowship
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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