What is your greatest ability?

Originally Posted by Ferd

That got me thinking about the bible and the people God used. Samuel was an orphan. David was a kid with much more talented, stronger, OLDER brothers. Gideon was a nobody afraid of his own shadow. Peter was “an ignorant and unlearned man”….and a loudmouth coward…. Paul was a murderer….What was it about these guys that made them so used? I think really their common ability was availability.

I definitley agree that the common thread in all of these men was that they were available to be used. God does not force His will on people who have chosen to shut Him out.

Originally Posted by Chan

I think there might be more to it than their availability. I think it has to do with something Paul had mentioned in 1 Corinthians about how God did not call many wise according to the wisdom of the world, etc. but, instead, called those whom the world would not consider particularly capable, talented, etc. Why did He do this? So that we would not be able to boast.

God most definitely takes those that are available and anoints them to do tasks that do not come natural to them.

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.

God definitely will take a person (who is willing) and use the abilities they have that come natural to them. He will also use the talents the available person has learned.

Thing is I think it's all of these things...

[Rhoni]

AK...You are a sweetie to tie them all in together...and affirm all...great talent!

Blessings, Rhoni

Originally Posted by whollyHis

But, the way church government is set up today, you cannot do anything unless you are allowed to. Availability is just the FIRST requirement- there are many hoops to jump through after that...*smile*

Sad to say, but you are right about this.

Originally Posted by whollyHis

Whoa, Nellie...this isn't about ME. I have cleaned that entire church, alonbe, for four years...and mowed the five acres it sits on...don't go there with me.
I have no interest in doing ANYTHING. I am talking about others that have cried and told me of their frustrated desire to be used for the Kingdom...they HAVE asked to be put to work...they HAVE asked for sunday school classes...

What I don't get is why those people who were crying on your shoulder did not show up to help you cut the grass and clean the church...

Originally Posted by Rhoni

*speechless in Dallas*

Originally Posted by RevDWW

I have two almost super human abilities.

Killing conversation on threads.
Being ignored and thus not killing threads..........

Somebody say something???

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Ferd

I have been thinking about peoples ability as it relates to God and service in the church. This Sunday my pastor made a comment in his sermon that has really been with me, kind of connecting the dots. He said that often times you find someone with less ability working in a church while a real talent sits on the pew. The difference is one stepped up.

That got me thinking about the bible and the people God used. Samuel was an orphan. David was a kid with much more talented, stronger, OLDER brothers. Gideon was a nobody afraid of his own shadow. Peter was “an ignorant and unlearned man”….and a loudmouth coward…. Paul was a murderer….What was it about these guys that made them so used? I think really their common ability was availability.

My take... Many leaders and Pastors take the Hitler and Napoleon leadership. Never use or promote someone that has more ability than u.

How I know this to be true. I work in professionial technical sales.

Everytime a manager has a great performer they get nervous.

Many of the managers can't talk or sell themselves out of a paperbag.

next time you look over and see a more qualified person sitting in the pew.

Maybe you might realize they have it harder in the church.

I know it...... I have seen it a million times.

When my Dad taught at Mark Hanby's bible college in the mid 1970's.

When he preached and Mark Hanby was out of town.

The main leaders told my Dad he could not do the alter call after he preached.

Because he was starting to have to big of a following.

Nathan Eckstadt

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

My take... Many leaders and Pastors take the Hitler and Napoleon leadership. Never use or promote someone that has more ability than u.

How I know this to be true. I work in professionial technical sales.

Everytime a manager has a great performer they get nervous.

Many of the managers can't talk or sell themselves out of a paperbag.

next time you look over and see a more qualified person sitting in the pew.

Maybe you might realize they have it harder in the church.

I know it...... I have seen it a million times.

When my Dad taught at Mark Hanby's bible college in the mid 1970's.

When he preached and Mark Hanby was out of town.

The main leaders told my Dad he could not do the alter call after he preached.

Because he was starting to have to big of a following.

Nathan Eckstadt

Bro. Eckstadt,

Please read my thread on how to grow churches...I value your opinion.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

I have two almost super human abilities.

Killing conversation on threads.
Being ignored and thus not killing threads..........

great post!

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

My take... Many leaders and Pastors take the Hitler and Napoleon leadership. Never use or promote someone that has more ability than u.

How I know this to be true. I work in professionial technical sales.

Everytime a manager has a great performer they get nervous.

Many of the managers can't talk or sell themselves out of a paperbag.

next time you look over and see a more qualified person sitting in the pew.

Maybe you might realize they have it harder in the church.

I know it...... I have seen it a million times.

When my Dad taught at Mark Hanby's bible college in the mid 1970's.

When he preached and Mark Hanby was out of town.

The main leaders told my Dad he could not do the alter call after he preached.

Because he was starting to have to big of a following.

Nathan Eckstadt

first, I was talking about people being available to God not some preacher..... second, this is the second time ive seen someone compare preachers to hitler. that was a knucleheaded thing to say. sometimes you say things that are great. this one was kind of knucleheaded. Napoliean I get. Hitler not so much.

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

My take... Many leaders and Pastors take the Hitler and Napoleon leadership. Never use or promote someone that has more ability than u.

How I know this to be true. I work in professionial technical sales.

Everytime a manager has a great performer they get nervous.


Nathan Eckstadt

I, too, have seen this and it is a very sad, sad situation each time I see it. I have watched ministers , men called of God, just minister in the local church with the pastor saying, "one day you might be out there on your own". And they keep dangling the carrot before the rabbit and lead them on but never have any intention on letting them go. Sad !!! so you have 15-20 "young preachers" sitting on pews for 10-20 years...and the pastor keeps saying, "there's still more I need to teach you on leadership'" ...