Embracing the Spirit's Gifts

This Sunday I’m leaving Acts 2 behind (some in the crowd may be relieved) and turning to the gifts of the Spirit. As I do this, I’m aware that we haven’t always done a good job with these in the church, whether that’s due to elevating certain gifts over others or refusing to recognize them in some people.

I read a post on facebook last night where Rick Warren apologized for not embracing the gifts of women in his 53 years of ministry. He attributed this to reading scripture through a literal lens and not doing his own “personal exegesis on the four passages used to restrict women”. He repented and asked forgiveness. As I think about this and National Indigenous People’s Day being yesterday, I wonder about the similar loss to the richness of Christian community done by harming our First Nations People - not accepting their identity and God-given gifts or treating them as equals with much to share with us and teach us.

There are many other people who we often don’t value as highly for their gifts - children and youth, frail seniors, the poor and those with exceptionalities as well as those of minorities or different backgrounds from ours. And yet Acts 2 reminds us that the Spirit came to everyone. It was unhindered by age, race, gender or status. The Spirit’s work extends around the world from within each of us.

I’ve designed and led people in Spiritual gift inventories and have to admit that I’m never terribly comfortable with the one about speaking in tongues. Once I attended a workshop on using flags and tambourines in worship (I’m still into creative arts in worship but this was outside my comfort zone). At one point we were invited to pray in tongues and it was a bizarre experience. As I heard the odd sounds of this all around me, the scripture about someone needing to translate them for it to be legitimate came to mind. In my tradition we often view this gift as being able to understand spoken languages because that’s more palatable. Those who speak in tongues of the Spirit quickly realize it’s not terribly welcome in my circles.

When it comes to which gifts are most elevated in mainline churches, preaching is way up there as well as teaching. Apostleship is less common and healing a bit suspect, although parish nurses have been present in the last few decades in many denominations. Depending on which scripture you are using that lists spiritual gifts, some of them seem more general and less associated with a title like wisdom, knowledge, giving, encouraging, serving and faith. Miracles and prophecy? Those seem to carry weight that many wouldn’t want. I wonder if we truly welcome the gifts God desires for us to embrace.

I grew up attending Presbyterian Music Camp each summer with my family. On the last night there was always a time of sharing as camp ended. A man came up and talked about all the amazing musicians and their talent that he got to experience all week whose gifts he didn’t have. But he could make coffee and every morning he put the pot on to help people welcome the new day. Decades later I still remember what he said, though I don’t remember his name, because it’s the important reminder that even an act of service like making coffee can be a spiritual gift. Behind the scenes actions are just as valid as the preacher in the pulpit or the health professional or the missionary.

The Spirit came for all of us and gifts each of us uniquely so that we can serve where God has planted us, allowing the divine to shine through us. May we never deny God’s manifestation in anyone. May we embrace and celebrate the gifts we’ve been given. And May God be made known throughout the whole earth.