Discovering Our S.H.A.P.E.

As the weather transitions to fall, we will also be transitioning to a new sermon series aimed at discovering our uniqueness and place in the Kingdom of God. We are created in the imago dei - the image of God - and each of us uniquely equipped to fulfill the purpose set before us. Each week will will introduce a new component of our  S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart/Passion, Abilities, Personality, and Experience) and offer tools and insights for self-discovery and empowerment on the journey to develop into the persons God has created us to be.
By leaning into our S.H.A.P.E., we are seeking to better understand our uniqueness and how each unique part of the body of Christ contributes to accomplishing the mission of God's Church here on earth.
Type your new text here.

Spiritual Gifts

According to churchgrowth.org, "Spiritual gifts are tools God gives Christians to do the work of the ministry — to fulfill the Great Commission to reach, baptize, and teach and to minister to one another... A spiritual gift is the primary channel by which the Holy Spirit ministers the believer — a supernatural capacity for service to God — and a supernatural desire to perform the duties of that gift."

Take advantage of this free spiritual gifts inventory to discover your motivational (what inspires and drives you) spiritual gifts. The video below will guide you as you take this first step in discovering your S.H.A.P.E.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." -Romans 12:1

Heart / Passion

The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. Acts 15:39-40
Heart/Passion refers to those activities, causes, or issues that truly ignite a person’s inner fire and enthusiasm. Passion includes things that bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of meaning to one’s life. Understanding your Heart/Passion within the S.H.A.P.E. framework can guide you towards a path of service and ministry that resonates deeply with your innermost desires.

Abilities

Type your new text here.
It has been said, "God does not need our ability, He wants our availability." What happens when we are surrendered? Are our abilities are available for God's purposes? Out abilities may stem from our spiritual gifts, or may be learned, directed by our passions. Our abilities further define our S.H.A.P.E. and our personhood as we live into the imago dei. 
Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone. Romans 12:5b (The Voice)

Personality

For You shaped me, inside and out.
    You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.
I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.
    You have approached even the smallest details with excellence;
    Your works are wonderful;
I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.

Psalm 139:13-14 The VOICE
 Personality plays a pivotal role in helping individuals discover their unique purpose and calling in life. Understanding personality within the S.H.A.P.E. framework involves recognizing innate traits, preferences, and tendencies. It’s about embracing the fact that each person has a distinct set of characteristics that influence how they interact with the world, make decisions, and relate to others.
By acknowledging and appreciating our unique personality traits, we gain insight into how we are naturally wired to contribute to the world and serve others in ways that feel authentic and fulfilling.
Ultimately, the Personality aspect of S.H.A.P.E. empowers individuals to embrace their individuality and use it as a tool for making a positive impact on the world, all while aligning their service and pursuits with their inherent strengths and tendencies.
To explore more about how your personality contributes to your unique S.H.A.P.E., we encourage checking out the inventories available from 16 Personalities and Open Psychometrics.

Experience

Experience refers to the various life experiences, both positive and challenging, that individuals encounter throughout their journey. These experiences shape perspectives, values, and skills. Experiences provide valuable insights into purpose.

By reflecting on life experiences within the SHAPE framework, we can identify patterns, themes, and lessons that have equipped us for a specific role or mission. These experiences are not wasted; they are tools that can be used to serve others and make a meaningful impact in the world, allowing each person to serve in a way that draws from their personal journey.
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:7–9.