We all have them: church members who have failed to make an accurate assessment of their abilities and graces. Paul counsels all to "think your way to a sober estimate" of the gifts "that God has dealt to each of you" (Rom. 12:3). * Sober thinking neither exaggerates nor depreciates such gifts as God has bestowed; thus Paul cautions, "Do not be conceited or think too highly of yourself (verse 3). There are these contrasting positions: some think "too highly," i.e., they think that their gift is to teach, when their gift is showing mercy. Others think "too lowly," i.e., God has given them the gift to teach, but they are either too selfeffacing to recognize it in self-humility or so diffident that they retreat from the responsibility. Both attitudes are condemned in the context of sober selfassessment. Let everyone give himself to the gift that God has given him.
Pastoral opportunity
While each church member has the responsibility of evaluating his gifts and graces, the church, through its pastor, has the opportunity of leading the members to understand their gifts and their unique place within the body of Christ (2 Tim. 2:2). One of the pastor's responsibilities is to "equip God's people for work in his service" (Eph. 4:12). All have a place, even those who inaccurately assess their role. It is an abdication of pastoral duty to ignore such persons. They should be gently confronted and led into a ministry that matches their gifts.
A congregational perspective
There is always a tendency for persons in our congregations to seek to define themselves and give themselves a sense of worth by their actions. The gospel message is that God values us first as human beings made in His own image and, when redeemed by Christ, as His children. There is no higher identity.
The tendency to seek other kinds of identity has led to status and role differentiation in the church. Some—the "clergy"—were lifted up over the "laity." Within the typical congregation, there are also status differences based on an individual's participation in various programs or activities. A board member, a Sabbath school teacher, a committee chairperson, or the church leader tends to be identified by what he does rather than who he is.
Paul specifically guards against such differentiation. In 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 he affirms differences in gifts but insists that because each is essential to the body, no one is greater or less than another because he or she possesses a particular gift or plays a particular role in the body.
This is a vital word of warning for us today. If we remove the status ascriptions institutionalized ministries now give, congregations will tend to construct hierarchies that reflect the members' involvement or noninvolvement in a personal ministry. But as persons are valued in the body for what they do, unusual pressure is placed on the less mature. New Christians and believers who have just begun to grow after a long period of being on a plateau sense without ever being told which ministries and persons the congregation honors. They will seek out similar ministries or similar gifts; young believers will feel a tremendous pressure to perform. They may miss the fact that God's voice will call them to their ministry when they are ready, and feel instead that they must experience His call now. Rather than being released to grow to maturity, they feel bound to work and serve, and they mistake their sense of bondage for the compelling call of God's voice.
To maintain this delicate tension is a distinct challenge to the spiritual leader ship of the church. On the other hand, the church must try to create a loving, accepting climate in which people are accepted and valued for themselves. At the same time, there needs to be in this accepting climate a continuing expectation that believers will grow, recognize their gifts, and be called to that ministry of service for which God has shaped and suited them.—R.D.E.
