Finding Your Fit

(Summary of Chapter 5 of Doing Church as a Team by Wayne Cordeiro)

Imagine working on a puzzle composed of 3000 pieces only to discover as you approach the end of this enormous project, one piece is missing. How frustrated would you be? Every single piece in a puzzle is critical, and that’s how God sees each and everyone of us. None of us are insignificant; we are all incredibly important members of Christ’s body. In Wayne Cordeiro’s own words, “When all the pieces fit together, the world can see a beautiful, completed portrait of the heart of Jesus, beating for people everywhere.”[1]

You might say to yourself, but I’m just one insignificant piece out of 2999 other pieces. Banish the thought. “You are vital to the success of God’s plan and mission.”[2]

Some of us put limitations on ourselves, thinking that we are not significant in God’s plan. You might think to yourself, I can’t preach, I can’t sing, I can’t give a Bible study, I’m shy etc… The phrase I can’t is a self-imposed limitation that we must break through with God’s help.

When Cordeiro was a boy, he recalled an eye-opening experience he had with an elephant. When taken to the circus, he sneaked into a place where a giant elephant was standing. To his amazement, he saw that the gigantic elephant was tied to a foot-long stake, that was barely pounded into the ground. Whenever the elephant would wander around, when it sensed the slightest tug from the flimsy rope, it would stop roaming. Cordeiro was indeed puzzled. He later learned that when show elephants are young, they are tied to a strong rope attached a stake that is well driven into the ground. Whenever the elephant wouldn’t try to break free of its bond, it would see that it was completely helpless to do so and would eventually give up. Once that elephant grows into an adult, it still has that limitation etched into its memory (remember, elephants never forget). All the caretaker has to do is drive a flimsy stake into the ground and attach a thin rope around the elephant’s neck and it will not go anywhere, even though it could easily, with minimal effort, snap the rope with its enormous strength. And I quote “the huge animal has been conditioned to think small.”

Have you been conditioned to think small? If you think that you are not capable of doing much for God, you, my friend, are like those elephants. But I’ve got good news; you can break free through the power of God.

Philippians 2:13 CSB

13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.

You may be wondering, “But how can God use me? What are my gifts and abilities?” You can answer this question through this acronym: DESIGN.

D for Desire

Desire emphasizes the importance of aligning your spiritual gifts with your passions to serve effectively and joyfully in the Body of Christ. It suggests that God has placed specific desires in you to guide you towards your purpose, which includes connecting with Jesus, others, and helping others connect with Him. Knowing your spiritual gifts answers the “what” question, while knowing your passion answers the “where” questions, guiding you to the areas where you feel most motivated to serve. The “where” questions are:

Where shall I use my gifts?

Where do I feel most motivated to serve?

Where do I sense a calling or an attraction?

While some may have the gift of serving, their passion is to help elderly people—so they minister to the needs of senior citizens. Others may have the gift of teaching, while their passion is discipleship—so they feel drawn to small-group ministry. Others may find they have a gift in music, while their passion is working with children—so they lead music in the children’s ministry.

The ultimate goal is to find joy and motivation in service by operating in your gifts and passions.

E for Experience

Experience emphasizes the importance of experiences, both positive and negative, in shaping your design and purpose. It highlights that God uses all experiences, including hurts, to develop compassion and guide individuals towards their calling. Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Vince Lombardi, Walt Disney, and Winston Churchill, are all individuals who overcame significant obstacles to achieve great success. Don’t’ let setbacks deter you from using your God-given gifts to achieve remarkable success. God has a plan for everyone to accomplish amazing things if they develop and use their gifts.

S for Spiritual Gift

Spiritual Gift explains that every believer in Jesus Christ has one or more spiritual gifts, as described in various Bible passages. These gifts are meant to continue Christ’s ministry on Earth through the Church. The Bible lists several gifts, including prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and mercy, and emphasizes that each person has at least one of these gifts. I encourage you to use your gifts in harmony with others to effectively serve and fulfill God’s work.

I for Individual Style

You need to understand the importance of your unique temperament, whether extroverted or introverted, to effectively carry out your calling as a Christian. Extroverts and introverts both love people but recharge differently: introverts need solitude, while extroverts gain energy from social interactions. Wayne Cordeiro shares personal experiences of struggling with evangelism due to introversion but finding fulfillment in the arts and public speaking. The key message is that while individual styles vary, they do not change one’s calling; instead, they suggest the best way to fulfill it. Each person must discover their own balance to serve effectively and joyfully.

G for Growth Phase

Growth emphasizes that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, with individuals at different stages, from spiritual toddlers to mature adults. True growth is measured by the willingness to apply what one has learned, rather than the amount of time spent in church. Even those with limited time in faith can achieve significant maturity through active engagement. I encourage you to reflect on your current growth phase to better understand where to serve in the church, each stage offers valuable insights for ministry.

N for Natural Abilities

Natural Abilities emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing your natural abilities and passions in service to God. It suggests that God wants you to serve joyfully, aligning your tasks with your inherent talents and interests. Find what you enjoy and excel at and enthusiastically serve in that capacity. Serving in areas that align with your design leads to a more fulfilling and effective ministry. Yes, friends, each one of you has a ministry! Each one of you is a minister. The key message is to combine your natural abilities, passions, and involvement to discover your unique role in God’s plan.

Philippians 2:13 CSB

13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.