Our style of communicating may stem from our personalities, background, or training. It can also be a result of spiritual gifting. Whatever the influence, to effectively communicate in the wide variety of situations leaders encounter, we need to get beyond a self-generated communication style to God-empowered communication. Since spiritual gifts are one of God’s means of imparting His power, it’s important to consider the effect of giftedness on the way we communicate.
Empowered communication that’s a result of spiritual gifting affects the way we communicate.
The primary types of spiritual gifts used in communication tend to be prophecy, teaching, and exhortation. Those gifts aren’t limited to the pulpit, classroom, or counseling session. They can affect the way we communicate informally, as well as formally.
Check out the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use for help determining which of these gifts are most useful in different situations.
Effective communication is that which is empowered by God.
Not all leaders have speaking types of gifts along with their leadership gifting. That doesn’t mean they can’t exercise empowered communication for God demonstrates His power through a variety of means. We need to tap into the our Power Source and trust Him to use us regardless of spiritual gifting. A lack of the most appropriate gifting for communicating in a particular situation does not excuse us from Christ-like communication.
Check out the Balance in Church Leadership Based on Spiritual Gifting resource for how each of the leadership spiritual gifts tends to affect the leader’s communication. The resource also looks at 14 other leadership tasks and responsibilities.
We don’t have to be eloquent or know how to effectively craft words together to be used by God. When God gave Moses the task of leading the people out of Egypt, Moses cited a lack of communication skills as an excuse for not taking on God’s assignment. He said, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” God responded, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Ex. 4:10-12)
So, while different kinds of situations might call for certain ways of communicating for which we haven’t been spiritually gifted, God can and will still use us if we look to Him for help. Perhaps, as with Aaron becoming Moses’ mouthpiece when needed (Ex. 4:14-16), God will bring others alongside of us with spiritual gifts better suited to the situation to fill in the gaps. What’s most important is that the words communicated are empowered by God.
For More on These Topics, Go To:
All Posts about Communication:
- Communication with God Essential to Your Purpose
- Communication in Step with Your Purpose
- Communication Imperative to Body Life
- Communication Guided by Body Life Commands
- Communication Governed by the Great Commission
- Authority in Communication
- Focus of Communication
- Confidence in Communication
- Christ-like Communication Imperative
- What We Communicate: Both Grace and Truth
- How We Communicate: Both Graciously and Truthfully
- Who Can Tame the Tongue?
- Empowered Communication Because of the Gospel
- Empowered Communication as a Result of Spiritual Gifting
- Empowered Communication Seasoned with Grace
- Empowered Communication Possible Because of the Resurrection
- Empowered Communication Because of His Name
- Empowered Communication Takes Prayer
- Empowered Communication Guarded by Scripture
- Communication Under the Control of the Spirit
- Communication Protected with Spiritual Armor
- Be an Example in How to Communicate with One Another