As a coach, I found it incredibly important that each player knew their role. Each player’s role was crucial to the success or struggles of our team. A basketball team with 12 players who embrace and embody the role they were given and suited for is a team that succeeds to the highest levels.
As a pastor, I encourage each person in our church to embrace their role in the church and work together as the body of Christ to reach more people who will join the journey with Jesus for eternity.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.—1 Corinthians 12:11-13
When you discover your role based on your giftedness, you’ll be able to serve the team of Jesus effectively.
What is your role? You have one, and it’s not just showing up on Sunday and then going about your week. To discover your role, it’s important to understand your giftedness. I urge you to take a spiritual gift test—a tool specifically designed to help you identify your unique spiritual gifts. This test is available online and the results will give you a deeper understanding of how God has uniquely equipped you for service.
At King of Kings, there is no role that you’re not capable of filling, as long as it aligns with your giftedness. “Giftedness” refers to the unique spiritual gifts God has given you, such as teaching, serving, or leadership. When you discover your role based on your giftedness, you’ll be able to serve the team of Jesus effectively. Jesus has uniquely equipped you to know your purpose and live it out for the glory of God and the eternal life of others.
One of the things I love about serving at King of Kings is that we are a church that needs one another to have the greatest expression of worship, kids ministry, student ministry, care for the widowed and orphaned, and gospel proclamation to the ends of the earth. Every person has a part to play in fulfilling these missions.
There are no small roles. There are only small realizations of the giant reality of serving someone in a mighty way. One of my daughters has discovered a passion for tech and now serves as a camera operator on Sunday mornings. She allows people to engage fully with the music, message, and Holy Spirit moments each day at all campuses. This seemingly small role makes a giant impact in the lives of each attendee at King of Kings. And when we really think about it, the role reaches beyond our congregation, because those impacted go out into the community and world with the love of Christ.
As a basketball coach, I recall one player who really embraced his role as the 12th man. He never played in a game unless it was a blowout. But he realized that at every practice, he got to go against our number one player, the point guard. He challenged him and pestered him. When game time came, our point guard always said he felt totally prepared to compete against an opponent because he had to work hard each practice against our best 12th man.
Each of our roles as the body of Christ is equally valuable and important. We all have a crucial call. Whether it was the women who were the first proclaimers of the Gospel (Easter resurrection); Matthias, who was the chosen disciple by casting lots; or Thomas, who was unbelieving and then became the proclaimer of good news to India, our calls to serve our God are equally valuable to the eternal life of generations to come.
Today, take the step of knowing your spiritual giftedness, and then step boldly into your role. We need one another and are better shoulder to shoulder together.
Greg Griffith
