God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions.
Spiritual gifts include roles such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, as well as gifts of service, encouragement, leadership, mercy, and many others. No gift is superior in worth; all are needed for the body to function healthily. Every believer is called to discover and use his or her gifts for the blessing of others.
The purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church and to advance the mission of the gospel. They are not given for personal glory but for humble service. Where gifts are exercised in love and order, the church grows in maturity and becomes an effective witness to the world.
