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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Spiritual Gifts and Ministries

“The gifts we’re familiar with, there are lists of them. In Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4, the gifts are named for us. And I’m not sure that the list is exhaustive. There may be other gifts not listed which are abilities divinely appointed and empowering us to do the work for ministry that we are to do. But it also reads that there are varieties of ministries. I think the outworking of the gifts of the Spirit lead to the ministries in the Christian life that touch other lives.”

Become a Minister of Refreshment

“What do I need? What do you need to be a minister of refreshment? A few things come to mind quickly and that’s it. Unselfishness, which is a big leap for many since our world is so acute and constant, and the tyranny of the urgent screams as it does. Unselfishness. Second, availability. When you know a friend is in the hospital, you’re there. When you know your friend has lost something significant, you’re there, or your note is there, or slipped under the door. Availability. Third, a sensitive spirit. You feel down the edge of his life and you feel that place is rough, and you don’t ignore it. Between the two of you it becomes like an elephant in the room. You can’t ignore it, so you talk about it. Sensitive spirit. Fourth, determination. You’re there in season and out of season, you’re there. Fifth, of course, compassion. Ministry of refreshment. How valuable.”

Focus on Those Who Bring Refreshment

“Those who once follow you and are a part of your ministry and love you and support you and befriend you, for some reason some of them turn on you, and the pain of that is the next thing to unbearable. Paul doesn’t linger over the Phygelus and Hermogenes and the Alexander the coppersmiths and those others, he lingers over this one who brought him refreshment.”

Unashamedly Bring Refreshment

“When the shadow of Onesiphorus passed across the cell of Paul, he blew a cool breath of refreshment. We read that ‘he wasn’t ashamed of my chains.’ You know what that means. He wasn’t afraid of the danger connected with being a friend of a prisoner. And ‘he wasn’t ashamed when he came into me to find me manacled.’ You will have friends who go through hard times, you may have some who drop to a low ebb. Your presence is a refreshing thing.”

Guard Against Pride

“Be careful about your pride because you’re living pure lives and we all admire that. And be careful about your reputation and your record. Hopefully it will remain marked by integrity. But be careful that it doesn’t keep you aloof from those who fall.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your fingertips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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