Spiritual Gifts:
 
        God's enablement for believers to do their part
 

The church's Christian Education ministry doesn't have to be limited to people with the spiritual gifts of teaching and administration, gifting typically associated with educational programming and teaching. So much goes into an effective church education ministry that would benefit from the multi-faceted contributions of everybody doing their part. (Click on the name of the gift for a definition.)

• Administration: This person could organize and coordinate either the big picture (i.e., Director of Christian Education) or a program within it (i.e., age level coordinator, children's church coordinator, etc.). This would involve recruiting, delegating responsibilities, choosing curriculum, promoting, scheduling, planning the most effective use of the facilities, working with the budget, etc.
   
  
• Discernment: This person could be a part of the team to review curriculum to help ensure that it is doctrinally sound.
   
  
• Exhortation: This person could encourage absentees through phone calls,
  e-mails, or notes of encouragement. Or, this person could help with discipleship activities done one-on-one or in small groups that do not necessarily involve preparation or presentation of a full lesson.
   
  
• Evangelism: This person could be on a follow-up team to visit first time attendees who might not know the Lord.
   
  
• Faith: This person could pray for the teachers, leaders, various Christian education ministries, and participants.
   
  
• Giving: This person could help fund special events or needs that aren't provided for in the budget.
   
  
• Helps: This person could be an assistant to one of the leaders or coordinators. Or, this person could be a teacher's helper.
   
  
• Hospitality: This person could serve as a receptionist or registrar, greeting people and directing them to where they should go.
   
  
• Knowledge: This person could do research such as what might be needed in developing curriculum. This person could pull together ministry resources to free up the leaders from having to spend that time.
   
  
• Leadership: This person could be part of a steering committee to help keep the Christian education ministry from getting in a rut or pure maintenance mode.
   
  
• Mercy: This person could work with teachers to assist students with special needs.
   
  
• Pastor: This person could look after the welfare of staff so that they are able to reach their maximum potential. Or, this person could be involved in discipleship efforts.
   
  
• Service: This person could do setting-up, decorating, craft preparation, visual aids, clean-up, and so many other tasks that need to be done before, during, or after the various programs.
   
  
• Teaching: This person could do the in-class teaching, help write curriculum, or possibly train other teachers.
   
  
• Wisdom: This person could help with setting up policies and procedures that are both practical and in alignment with Biblical principles.