... Introduction to Gifts ...
What we're all about
Several people have asked me to give them some specific information on the GIFTS Program. Three basic questions have been asked.
WHAT is GIFTS?
GIFTS
is an acronym for “Growing in Faith to Serve.”
It describes a program which trains the heart, the mind and the hands of
Christians to serve the Lord more confidently and joyfully.
The program normally takes three years to complete.
The
program began at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota in 1986.
It became a program of the Western North Dakota Synod in 1989 and in
Eastern North Dakota in 1990. We
began the program in the Northwestern Minnesota in 1998.
Over fifty people are now enrolled in our synod.
The
training of the heart involves a program of daily Bible reading with reflection
and journaling. The training of the
mind involves studying the Bible for knowledge together with basic Christian
theology, church history and the dynamics of pastoral care.
The training of the hands involves learning skills in serving the church
as a parish teacher, leadership in worship, ministry to youth and the elderly,
visitation, and many other needs of the church.
Normally, a participant will try to become proficient in only one or at
the most two areas of service.
WHY is this program being advocated for use in the church?
Many
reasons, I suppose, but two main ones are the most apparent.
First the needs of Christians to serve.
The earliest Christian community was a “lay movement.”
During the first Christian century the church spread rapidly without
formally ordained clergy and under persecution.
People told the story of Jesus, his death and resurrection, to the world. The original meaning of laity referred to all the people of
God. Unfortunately, in later use it
has referred to the non-ordained as a status below the rank of the clergy.
The
program is also being advocated because there is growing shortage of ordained
pastors. For some reason God
isn’t calling people to attend seminary in the numbers to which we are
accustomed. It may also have
something to do with our failure to challenge people to pastoral ministry.
This may, however, be part of God’s wisdom to place the ministry into
the hands of “non-ordained” people. Nevertheless,
we will always need a few more pastors, but a host of informed and committed
parishioners.
WHO should consider becoming involved in the GIFTS Program?
I
believe that it is an invitation and an opportunity to every member of the
church. People of a wide variety of
backgrounds have joined the GIFTS Program.
Both retired people and those who are actively employed have joined the
program. Some have completed high
school, some college and some with advanced professional degrees have found this
to be “open door” to service that they have been seeking.
A wonderful spirit of camaraderie has bonded these folks together who
have one goal – to express their love for Jesus Christ.
Every
person in the GIFTS Program has a pastoral mentor to assist and encourage them.
Seminars are arranged by the synod GIFTS Committee to help people to grow
in the Christian faith while they serve in their local congregation.
If you think that this is the kind of opportunity you have been waiting
for, call the synod office (1-800-452-3692) for registration information.
You will be glad that you did. If
you would like to talk to me about the program, you may contact me.
Contact Sherry Billberg