Revitalizing Your Church, One-to-One
by Francine Taylor-Thirus, Director of Revitalization and Racial Ethnic Ministry, General Board of Discipleship

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts."
    (I Corinthians 12: 27-31a, NRSV)

This Scripture passage tells us that individuals in the church are gifted for various ministries or tasks.

• What is God calling you to do?
• What can you do to make a difference?
• Where is God leading you?

Inspiring each person to respond to God's gift is essential to the revitalization of our churches. The members of our churches need to be revived in order to go out and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Church members are part of the body of Christ. That body can reach out to care for — and empathize with — others.

Each person using his or her God-given gift for the body of Christ is one of the most effective models of revitalization. Those who feel unimportant must be shown that they have gifts that come from God and that they can contribute to the common good of the community. When a person becomes aware of his or her gift, transformation occurs in the individual and in the church. When this happens, there is more peace, joy, happiness, love, gentleness, patience, allowing for one another's faults, and humility. Furthermore, an eagerness to be at church and to be involved with a project connected to the gift takes hold and begins to grow. This change in behavior and perception spreads throughout the church, bursting through the walls of the church to embrace the outside community.

Ephesians 4:1 urges us "to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called . . ." One model of helping people to be in touch with their gifts is through one-to-one conversations. This is where one person intentionally meets with another member in the church to engage in questions, such as:

• How are you doing?
• Tell me about your family.
• Tell me about yourself?
• What do you like to do?
• Who impresses you?
• When have you felt close to God?
• When have you experienced a happy and joyous time connected to church?
• Can you recall a time you felt the church was one body?
• If you could change or add anything to the church, what would that be?

The pastor should begin this one-to-one conversation with a core group. After training, each person in the core group should contact and arrange to meet with between ten to twenty members, one-on-one. It is important that core group members keep reflections and notes — with the permission of the people with whom they talk. Group members then categorize the information they have gathered into similarities of interests, desires, needs, and wants. Each group is then becomes a potential small-group focus and individual work area.

This model can be continued through prayer and meditation throughout the church and into the community. As we share our gifts and receive the gifts of others. the body of Christ grows stronger and fuller.

      " . . . and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me."         — Galatians 2:20

Editor's Note: For more information about gifts-based ministry, see the Equipped for Every Good Work web site

Posted 12-17-01