40 Day Walk With God — May 13, 2014
Posted: May 13, 2014 Filed under: 2014 40 Day Walk with God | Tags: Day 23, Sammy Tillman 1 Comment
Day 23–
CONGREGATIONAL EXCELLENCE
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
One of my favorite times in ministry is when people discover the spiritual gift(s) God has given them. It is exciting to see someone light up with joy and be filled with eagerness. One particular spring, several youth and adults of our local church were studying the topic of spiritual gifts. Of special interest to me was one lady who had always served in administrative areas in the workplace and in the church. How surprised she was to discover with strong assurance that she possessed a gift in the area of hospitality. From that point on she became a force to be reckoned with when it came to fellowship meals and welcoming times at our church! Our Wednesday evening meal and group attendance more than doubled over the course of the following year!
During this time, a group of youth discovered their gifts in the area of compassion. A ministry to feed local students each weekend was birthed, beginning with meals for around thirty children. Now, a few years later, this ministry feeds over one hundred fifty children each weekend as the congregation and community have joined them!
The gifts of the woman and the youth differ, yet both have been able to feed others – physically and spiritually. We are reminded in the scripture above that there are different gifts, but the same Spirit; different ministries, but the same Lord; different activities, but it is the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
So it is in our congregations. We have different gifts, ministries, and activities yet we worship and serve the same Lord. How wonderful and how amazing! We are one body – the Body of Christ.
Prayer:
O Lord, how thankful we are that we are given a variety of gifts. May we continue to be one body sharing one Lord. Amen.
The Rev. Sammy G. Tillman, Jr.
Director of Young People, Memphis Conference
Greater Things Are Yet To Be Done 
This reminds me of my very shy grandmother, who in her mid to late eighties decided that people in her church needed hugs. This was a lady who did not even hug her family comfortable. She stepped out and started hugging people at church that she thought needed it. When she died at 93 many in the church knew her as Grammy Jane the lady who gives hugs.