What is your greatest ability?

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I think that God took the individual's best quality, Paul's was education, Peter's was boldness and determination, and Matthews was finance, and David's was his knowledge that through Christ anything can be accomplished. He took the tools each acquired through their trades and channelled them into usefulness in the kingdom.

Blessings, Rhoni

Interesting. I don't see any evidence in scripture that the Lord used Matthew's financial acumen (particularly since Judas Iscariot was the one who kept the money bag). You seem to be saying God uses skills and abilities that people acquire on their own, through their own effort. Could it not be that it was God who actually gave these men their respective talents/abilities?

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Yes, and all the personality types are capable of leading. Not all people are though.

I disagree that all personality types are capable of leading, but I agree that not all people are capable.

I think that is where the problem is when people that are sweet and kind are put in leadership roles that don't match their temperaments.

[Sis Santos]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Right, except that I can't even begin to imagine .... knowing God as I do and have ........ projecting the failures of others or disappointment or letdown onto Him. That totally baffles me.

• Though God slay me yet I will trust Him.
  
  
• It matters not what man does or doesn't do, yet will I trust Him.
  
  
• It doesn't matter how I may fail or disappoint God, yet will I trust Him.
  
  
• It doesn't matter how tough life gets, how bad situations turn out, yet will I trust Him.
  
  
• Doesn't matter if I never ever receive another blessing from Him, yet will I trust Him!

I can't imagine not trusting and hoping in God. Without that I am lost and doomed.

Felicity,
I just read this post. Thank you so much for blessing me this afternoon. That is the attitude that I need.

To all,

I heard someone say once, if you have something that you need done, find the busiest person and they will get it done. In our churches, we try to use everyone, looking for their talents and what they are best at. We arent perfect, but we are trying to raise leaders and give saints the chance to mature. Before coming to the mission field, there was so much to do in the church and I heard many complain about not being used. I always found more than enough to do and was always exhausted on Sunday night after church. I wasnt any part of an "in" group either, nor did I have any "pedigree" in fact, none of my family was in church.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Esther

I disagree that all personality types are capable of leading, but I agree that not all people are capable.

I think that is where the problem is when people that are sweet and kind are put in leadership roles that don't match their temperaments.

This is true. My ex-husband was a good follower, very passive, and unable to make decisions. He began Pastoring to his own detriment. He would make an excellent assistant, but he cannot lead. He has a dependent personality!

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Chan

Interesting. I don't see any evidence in scripture that the Lord used Matthew's financial acumen (particularly since Judas Iscariot was the one who kept the money bag). You seem to be saying God uses skills and abilities that people acquire on their own, through their own effort. Could it not be that it was God who actually gave these men their respective talents/abilities?

Of course everyone's personaility and giftedness comes from God, but it is expanded upon by situation, opportunity, and education.

[Felicity]

I think we put too much emphasis on personality and not enough on the calling of God and the empowerment and gifting that comes with the anointing and baptism of the Holy Ghost!

My dad is a strong phleg if you want to stick a personality label on him yet he was sought out as a leader in many different areas through the years including supervisory positions within the company he worked for. He's always been known as being fairly laid back, quiet, shy and easy to get along with. Definitely not your typical 'chol' personality.

So there you go.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Sis Santos

Felicity,
I just read this post. Thank you so much for blessing me this afternoon. That is the attitude that I need.

To all,

I heard someone say once, if you have something that you need done, find the busiest person and they will get it done. In our churches, we try to use everyone, looking for their talents and what they are best at. We arent perfect, but we are trying to raise leaders and give saints the chance to mature. Before coming to the mission field, there was so much to do in the church and I heard many complain about not being used. I always found more than enough to do and was always exhausted on Sunday night after church. I wasnt any part of an "in" group either, nor did I have any "pedigree" in fact, none of my family was in church.

There were a few of the ladies in a church we pastored back home who complained about not being in my 'loop'. I told them the way to get into the PW loop was to become a worker. Hehe.

Love your post by the way.

[Felicity]

May I speak personally here?

I'm not your typical "take charge/bossy/choleric" personality yet I've filled leadership positions through the years. You learn as you go and I've been told by others I'm good at leading.

I'd really rather not have the responsibility or the hassle but this is where God has put me. I'm here to serve and one of the ways I've served through the years especially in the last is to step into leadership positions and submit and yield to those who have asked me to do so.

We're here to serve one another. There are different ways we do that -- both by serving and leading. I lead, I serve. I serve, I lead.

Forget "personality". It's really quite immaterial.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Choleric attributes. I think many people have leadership abilities but have a mix of different personality types. I am primarily choleric but have a third melancholy.

Blessings, Rhoni

I have never really 'gotten into' the personality types thing...to be honest, I don't understand it much.

I've just always figured folks either were leaders or they weren't.

But, like I've always said, I'm not the brightest bulb in this chandelier...

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Felicity

May I speak personally here?

I'm not your typical "take charge/bossy/choleric" personality yet I've filled leadership positions through the years. You learn as you go and I've been told by others I'm good at leading.

I'd really rather not have the responsibility or the hassle but this is where God has put me. I'm here to serve and one of the ways I've served through the years especially in the last is to step into leadership positions and submit and yield to those who have asked me to do so.

We're here to serve one another. There are different ways we do that -- both by serving and leading. I lead, I serve. I serve, I lead.

Forget "personality". It's really quite immaterial.

I've only have time to read the last two or three pages, but I must say, y'all have made some great posts here today, this one in particular.

Kudos to Ferd for a great thread...