GiftQuest

Front Matter#

Legacy license, warranty, title information, and author notes.

GiftQuest#

User's Guide#

Version 2.0#

GiftQuest License Statement#

This software is protected by both the United States copyright law and international copyright treaty provisions. You must teat this software just like it is a book. It is different in that you may copy GiftQuest onto a computer to be used. You also may make archival copies of the software for the sole purpose of backing up GiftQuest and protecting your investment from loss. In that a book cannot be read by two persons at the same time, neither can GiftQuest be used on two different computers at the same time, without violating GiftQuest's copyright. GiftQuest does allow for one individual, the primary user of this software, to copy the program on their laptop or home computer if so desired, as long as the one user at a time provision is kept.

GiftQuest Limited Warranty#

GiftQuest Inc. warrants the CD ('s) and accompanying materials enclosed herein to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the purchase date. If GiftQuest receives notification within the warranty period of defects in materials or workmanship, and such notification is determined by GiftQuest to be correct, GiftQuest will replace the defective CD ('s) or materials. DO NOT RETURN ANY PRODUCT UNTIL YOU HAVE CALLED OR WRITTEN AND RECEIVED AUTHORIZATION TO DO SO.

The entire and exclusive liability and remedy for breach of this limited Warranty shall be limited to replacement of defective CD ('s) or materials and shall not include or extend to any claim for or right to recover any other damages, including but not limited to, loss of profit, data, or use of the software, or special, incidental, or consequential damages or other similar claims, even if GiftQuest has been specifically advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event will GiftQuest's liability for any damages to you or any other person ever exceed the lower of suggested list price or actual price paid for the license to use the software, regardless of any form of the claim.

GiftQuest Inc. specifically disclaims all other warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Specifically, GiftQuest makes no representation or warranty that the software is fit for any particular purpose and any implied warranty of merchantability is limited to the ninty-day duration of the Limited Warranty covering the physical CD ('s) and accompanying materials only (and not the software) and is otherwise expressly and specifically disclaimed.

This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, you may have others which may vary from state to state. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, or the limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so some of the above may not apply to you.

Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Epson is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. Hewlett-Packard, HP, LaserJet, PaintJet, are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. Intel is a registered trademark and 386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation. AT, IBM, and PC/XT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Lotus and 1-2-3 are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation.

About the Authors:#

Leonard Sisson served 9 years as an associate pastor of Trinity Chapel in Knoxville, Tennessee with an emphasis on counseling and church administration. He has over 20 years experience in computer systems design and programming. He is currently a Senior Pastor of Grace Connection Church. Leonard has a B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon and an M.A. in Church Ministries from the Church of God Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Russell Porcella has served as senior pastor of New Covenant Fellowship since he and his wife planted the congregation in 1981. He continues in this role with an emphasis on counseling and pastoral ministry. He has studied spiritual gifts and personality for the past 14 years. Russell has a B.S. in Science Education from Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. He further has a M.S. in Science Education and School Administration as well as a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee with two years post-Doctoral work in colon cancer research.

These men have worked together for 6 years in developing, testing and refining this local church spiritual gift resource. They are committed to helping pastors effectively involve their members in gift-based ministry. GiftQuest is the first in a series of pastoral resources that is being developed for the local church.

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1. Getting Started#

Installation, system requirements, navigation basics, help, terminology, and support.

This chapter gives the information needed to determine if your system can run GiftQuest and instructs you on how to install the program. Then instructions are given on running the inventory processor, how to use the help system and understand GiftQuest basics.

Checking your materials#

This section lists and identifies the items in your GiftQuest package. Take the time now to check the contents of your package. If your package is not complete, contact GiftQuest by letter (4337 Tolson Lane, Knoxville, TN. 37921, phone or fax (865) 588-7994 or 1-(800) 429- 7512 for a replacement.

CD#

Your GiftQuest packet should contain one install CD ROM disk. If defective, GiftQuest will provide you with a replacement. This is the only medium on which GiftQuest currently ships.

Documentation#

Your GiftQuest CD contains the GiftQuest User's Guide and Spiritual Gift Seminar Notes in an online, Adobe PDF format. The freely available Adobe PDF reader, Version 3.0 is also included on the CD for convenient installation on your computer as part of the GiftQuest install as a service to you our GiftQuest customer.

Spiritual Gift Inventory Forms#

Your GiftQuest packet also contains twenty copies of the GiftQuest Spiritual Gift Inventory form. Purchasers of the GiftQuest Inventory Processor may copy the GiftQuest Inventory form as many times as desired. Additional copies may be bought by sending in the order form sent with the materials. You may contact GiftQuest at any time to request more materials. Your GiftQuest CD also contains a Microsoft Word formatted text file GQINVENT.DOC that may be used through Microsoft Word to print additional inventory forms.

System Requirements#

Hardware#

• An IBM PC compatible computer capable of running Microsoft Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 or later.
• VGA or higher resolution monitor.
• CD-ROM drive.
• Printer supported by Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, or later.

Operating system and supporting applications#

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 Professional or higher. Acrobat Adobe Reader Version 3.0 or later required to read online manual.

Memory#

Minimum memory requirements of operating system (see above.)

Disk Space#

10 MB for application and manuals; 150K additional space for the data for each 100 persons.

Installing the software#

The GiftQuest program and its associated files are in a compressed format on the installation CD-ROM and MUST be installed using the GQsetup program. To install, place the GiftQuest 2 installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM Drive. Click "Start" and "Run" enter "(D:)\setup.exe" in the text box labeled "Open" and click "OK" (D represents the letter identifying your CD-ROM drove). Enter user name and company when prompted and accept all the defaults GiftQuest 2 should be installed and ready to run from the Start/Programs menu Enter user name and company when prompted and accept all the defaults GiftQuest 2 should be installed and ready to run from the Start/Programs menu After the installation, you will have a new program group in your Start/Program menu (default "GiftQuest 2") which contains two selections, "GiftQuest 2" and "Uninstall."

Running GiftQuest#

Running GiftQuest 2 will display a simple form having the primary function of running the GiftQuest Database Module. The Database Module allows the entry and modification of data and the generation of reports. Running GiftQuest 2 displays the Run GiftQuest dialog window. The dialog has two buttons, "Run" and "Exit". Clicking "Run" runs the Database Module. The "Exit" button ends GiftQuest 2. The Run GiftQuest dialog should only be exited after the Database Module is ended. The Run GiftQuest dialog has a menu bar with two submenus, "File" and "Help". At the present time, "Help" has only an "About" selection which displays the version of the program.

The "File" submenu has three selections, "Run", "Select Database" and "Exit". "Run" and "Exit" perform the same functions as the "Run" and "Exit" buttons described above. "Select Database" allows the selection of a different database directory. A GiftQuest database consists of a set of files in a directory referred to in this document as a "database directory."

A database stores the GiftQuest Inventory data for one or more people. GiftQuest is installed with two databases named "data" and "sample" which correspond to two directories. The default database is "data" residing in the directory: "C:\[Application Directory]\data" where "C" is the installation drive and "[Application Directory]" is the directory GiftQuest 2 is installed in. In the case of a default installation, the database path is "c:\gq2\data". The default database contains one sample record. The sample database contains actual inventory data for several people (only their names have been changed.) The sample data, in the case of the default installation, is contained in "c:\gq2\sample". The current database directory is displayed in the text box labeled "Current Database".

There are cases when it might be advantageous to have multiple databases. For example, if you are a church consultant you may want to have a separate database for each congregation. To create a new database, first create a subdirectory with a valid DOS subdirectory name of 1 to 8 characters using Windows Explorer. It is suggested that you create new database directories under the main application directory. For example, to create a database for First Baptist Church, you might create the subdirectory "1stbapt" under the application directory giving "c:\gq2\1stbapt".

When a database directory is selected, the program will detect whether database files exist in that directory. If no GiftQuest database files are detected, the Database Module will automatically create new, empty database files in the directory when it is run.

The Database Module must not be running when changing to a different database directory. If you attempt to change the database directory with the Database Module running, the program will prompt you to terminate the Database Module and switch you to it.

When a different database directory is selected in GiftQuest, you will be asked if you want to make the new directory the default. Click "No" if you just want to use the new directory temporarily. If you would like to use the new directory by default the next time the program is run, click "Yes".

Becoming familiar with the menu system#

A brief summary of the main features of the program follows. Each of the topics below is explained in greater detail in subsequent sections of the manual.

On the bottom of the main screen you will see a horizontal "Lotus"-style moving bar menu and accompanying status lines. The line immediately below the menu displays a brief description of the menu item currently selected. The bottom line gives brief instructions on how to navigate among menu options.

Navigating and selecting menu items#

There are three ways to navigate among and select menu items.

Example: How do you select the main menu item of Next?

• Keyboard - Use the keyboard cursor keys to move the menu cursor bar to Next and

press [Enter].

• Mouse - Click your mouse cursor on Next.
• Menu highlighted-letter - Press the highlighted letter [n] to select the menu item

Next.

Adding, editing and deleting records#

Add Edit Delete

• Add - Add information for a new person
• Edit - Modify information for the current person
• Delete - Delete all information for the current person

Changing position within the database#

Top Bottom Next Prev Find Search

• Top - Go to first record in database based on current sort order
• Bottom - Go to last record in database based on current sort order
• Next - Go to next record based on current sort order
• Previous - Go to previous record based on current sort order
• Find - Find person by LASTNAME FIRSTNAME:
• Search - Search for record having search string in any field

Viewing records in spreadsheet format#

View

• View - Multiple record view of database based on current sort order

Processing the information#

Order Report

• Order - Pop-up menu to select order of records
• Report - Pop-up menu to generate, preview and print reports

Opening the top menu#

More

The More selection opens a second horizontal menu at the top of the screen. The top menu contains three additional menu items. When selected, each of these items result in an additional pull-down menu. These menus are explained in further detail in subsequent sections of the manual.

• More - Open top menu
• File - Pull-down menu to perform file management functions
• Configure - Pull-down menu to personalize the local church munistry names
• Help - Open help menu

Quit#

Quit#

This main menu item exits the inventory processor

• Quit - Quit program

Using help#

GiftQuest provides online help for every function and data entry field. There are several ways to obtain online Help: The GiftQuest program is actually comprised to three modules: (1) the Main Module (gqwin.exe), (2) the Database Module (gqdb.exe), and (3) the Print Module (gqprint.exe). The Main Module has two menu options of File and Help. Selecting Help will open a submenu with the options of Help and About. Selecting Help will open a typical Windows style Help index. Selecting About will give information regarding the GiftQuest version you are using. You can also display a Help dialogue box by pressing [F1] in either the DOS database module or in either of the Microsoft Window's modules. You may press [F1] twice in the database module for a complete listing of help topics for that module. You may open any of the listed Help topics by selecting that topic with the cursor keys and pressing [enter].

One-line Help#

GiftQuest has two kinds of one-line help.

• A one-line command description is displayed for the currently highlighted menu item adjacent to the bottom line on the screen.
• Navigation and menu selection help is displayed on the last line on each screen.

Context-sensitive Help#

Context sensitive help allows you to get additional information by pressing [F1] at any menu cursor or data entry field position.

Example: When the menu cursor is on Add, pressing [F1] will result in the following

message in the Help dialog box that appears:

"This is where you start. This selection adds information for a new person to the database. The selection will cause a new record to be appended to the end of the primary GQ database table. However, the record will appear relative to other records according to the current sorting order. The default sort order is an alphabetical listing by Last Name, First Name." You must add at least a last name to create a new record that will be saved. End adding data with [F10] to save the new record and return to this menu."

Help topic menu#

You can display a Help dialogue box where you can view and select from a complete listing of all of the help topics in the Help system. There are two ways to open the Help topic menu:

• Select the Help main menu item and select Help on Help in the pop-up menu.

Pushing [F1] while in the Help on Help dialogue box will open another dialogue box with a listing of all the available Help topics. You may open any of the listed Help topics by selecting that topic with the cursor keys and pressing [Enter].

• The Help topic menu can be selected from any help screen that you have called up

while using context sensitive Help. Press [F1] while in the Help screen and the listing of Help topics will appear.

GiftQuest terminology#

Some terms are used in this manual that have special meaning. Your understanding of these terms will help you use this manual and the GiftQuest program more effectively.

GiftQuest typography#

| = Used to identify one a series of points or list. It is not used when there is an ordered series of steps to follow.

Bold = Used when identifying a field item that calls for information to be filled in.

# = Used to identify one step is a series of steps to accomplish a specific task.

[b] = Used to identify a keyboard key that is the same as the highlighted letter of the menu

item that may be pushed to select that item. Italic = The text of questions asked by others of GiftQuest. It is also used for the names of

other pieces of documentation or manuals

LARGE CAPITALS = Directory names and file names

Warning - If you select... = Used to identify a special warning or information prompt

Product support#

There is product support available for GiftQuest. The following is available to you. Technical support is available to registered owners of the GiftQuest program by mail, FAX or phone for one year from the date of purchase. If you request assistance by mail or FAX, please provide the following information. If you call for support, have the this information ready:

• Your product's serial number and the name to whom the product is registered.
• A description of the problem and the exact wording of any warning or error messages.
• Any additional comments or questions.

GiftQuest Incorporated 4337 Tolson Lane Knoxville, Tennessee, 37921

(865) 588-7994 (800) 429-7512

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2. Adding, Editing and Deleting Records#

Entering inventory records, editing screens, interactive mode, and deleting records.

Once your GiftQuest software is loaded, you are ready to enter information on individuals who have taken the GiftQuest Inventory. This chapter will explain how to add, edit and delete records.

Records#

The information about a person that you enter into the program will be stored in a "record" which is in turn stored in a GiftQuest database table file on your computer's disk. Through the remainder of this manual "record" will refer to one person's information unless otherwise noted.

Main program screen#

Running GiftQuest 2 displays the Run GiftQuest dialog window. The dialog has two buttons, "Run" and "Exit". Clicking "Run" runs the Database Module which opens to the main program screen. This screen includes the main menu and the first data entry screen. From top to bottom, note first the upper status line, numerous fields for biographical information, a memo field, a display of gift intensities (values and fields will register when all data is entered), a gift profile characterization, the inventory processor main menu, a menu item help line and a menu instruction line.

Upper status line#

The upper status line remains constant through all of the menu options (except More) on this screen. It functions as an online reference to a few key parameters.

Last Name#

The last name and the first letter of the first name of the person whose record you are examining will be listed following the word "NAME". "NAME" will first begin to register the new name added after you move to the second data input screen and return to this screen.

Sort#

"SORT" indicates the current order of records in the database. There are five kinds of record ordering available in GiftQuest: Chapter 4 describes ordering in detail.

• Name - All of the records are alphabetically ordered by last name-first name. This is the default ordering.
• Gift - All of the records are ordered by the intensity of the gift selected. For example, ordering on exhortation will rank the entire database by the intensity of the exhortation motivation for each person.
• Gift Profile - All of the records are ordered by similarity of gifting patterns. An example would be that all of the records whose profile pattern of Administration, Serving, Giving, Etc. will be displayed together.
• Church Ministry - All of the records are ordered on the basis of gift- aptitude for the selected local church ministry. Ordering on "Nursery Helper," for example, would rank the entire database on each person's gift-aptitude toward that specific ministrybased on motivational giftedness.
• Vocation - All of the records are ordered on the basis of gift-aptitude with any one of the listed vocations. Sorting on "Computer Programming," would rank the entire database on each record's gift-aptitude toward that specific vocation-based on motivational giftedness.

Record#

"RECORD," displays the physical record number for the record on the screen and the total number of records in the database table. A number of 385 / 934 would mean that the current record was the three hundred and eighty fifth person added to a database table that now has nine hundred and thirty four records. A RECORD value of 0/0 is what your inventory processor will register for a new database table.

Mem:#

"Mem:" is the amount of free memory available to the program. It must register above 50 k for the program to function properly. It is again suggested that you remove your memory resident programs to free as much conventional RAM as possible if you are registering near 50 k.

Adding a new record using the inventory form#

Filling in the first data entry screen#

All of the information needed to add a respondent into the database is found on their filled in copy of the GiftQuest Inventory form. Open the form to the back of the front cover and begin to enter the biographical information recorded on the screen form in the following order:

Add#

Select Add from the main menu and enter the following information:

Last Name - Type the last name, with capitol and small case letters. Press [Enter] to record the name and move to the next item. Note: This is a required field and must be filled in. First Name - Type the first name, with capitol and small case letters. Press [Enter] to continue.

Note: If you fill in all the spaces in a field you will automatically be advanced to the next field.

Title - Type the initials of the name title (Mr., Mrs., Dr. and etc.) if applicable. Press [Enter] as necessary. Address - Type the Street address, City, State, Zip, and Phone number if desired. Gender (M/F) - Record the gender of the respondent. Note: This is a required field and must be filled in. Evaluation Date - Enter the date the inventory was taken as MM/DD/YY. With time some choose to retake the inventory and the evaluation date takes on greater significance. Church Affiliation - Provision is given to record the denomination or church affiliation of the respondent. Church Name - Provision is given to record the name of the church of the respondent.

Memo#

GiftQuest has a built in memo editor that can be accessed when the cursor is on the Notes field. Hold down [Control] + [Home] to open the editor. You may enter any information about this person as free-form text. For example, you may wish to enter a brief description of their ministry experience and/or ministries they would prefer to participate in. Press [F1] for help with memo editor commands. To finish adding information in the memo field, press [Control] + [End]. This will close and save what was entered. When you type and save information in the Notes field, memo changes to MEMO to remind you that you have recorded information in that field.

• Gift intensities display - Once all the information is added and you return to the main screen, the gift intensity percentages will be displayed in the two lines under the address information. All of the data on the third screen must be entered correctly for the gift intensity display to be enabled.

Question: I do not understand my giving intensity? It only registers at 24%. I know I made a higher grade than that! And besides, I tithe and see myself as a giver!

• The gift intensity percentage is not like a grade on a test-rather, but it is a statement of the intensity of each motivation as a population percentile. To have an intensity of 67% means that sixty-six percent (66%) of the general population would have a lower intensity for that specific motivational gift. Furthermore, the motivational gift of giving is not the equivalent of tithing. Look in the Spiritual Gift Seminar Notes where this motivation is discussed in detail.

Gift Profile Display: The gifts listed in the Gift Profile field are the significant motivating gifts of the individual. The first gift listed is the highest gift and any other significant gifts are listed in descending order of intensity.

Bottom Menu Lines#

The last three lines on the bottom of the screen are the main menu, the command help line and the bottom information menu line. The Add, Edit and Delete options are explained in this chapter. The Top, Bottom, Next, Previous, Find, Search and View options are explained in

chapter 3. The Order and More options will be explained in chapter 4. The Report option will be explained in chapter 5. The Help and Quit options are explained in chapter 1. The menu help line gives a brief description of how to navigate among and select items in the menu.

Filling in the second data entry screen#

Pressing [Enter], the [Down Arrow] or [Page Down] after responding to the memo field, or [Page Down] any time after filling in the name field, will open the second data entry screen. The first line of the second screen is the same upper status line described in the related section.

• Gifts - Talents - Interests You Have (Enter "x") - Eleven items are listed, as seen

following. Mark each item checked on the GiftQuest Inventory with an [x] to record a yes response. You do not need to press the [Shift] key - the "x" will automatically be entered in upper case and the cursor will move to the next item. Press [Space] if the item is not checked. You may also use the cursor keys to move among items.

Note: You may press [F1] for help with any field on this screen as needed.

• Ministries you have served in: Rank How Fulfilling (1-3, 3=Most) Respondents are requested to identify and rank up to three local church ministries they have been involved in previously. These responses are significant if the database is searched for specific ministries. The cursor will automatically move to the next item as a response

is completed and [Enter] is pressed.

• Fulfilling vocations you have had or would like to have (Enter "x") Respondents are requested to identify as many of the sixteen broad categories of secular vocations that they have found to be, or they believe would be fulfilling to them. This information is used as "filters" in the secular vocation sort.

Mark each item checked on the GiftQuest Inventory with an [x] to record a yes response or [Space] if the item is not checked. Proceed through all of the items.

Using the second screen bottom information menu#

When you press an [x] or a space in the last field on this screen, you will be presented with a dialogue box requesting the type of data entry you wish to use for the third screen. Select [Form] in this instance and the third input screen will open. Up until you complete the last secular vocation field, you have four menu choices available to you, identified by the bottom help line.

Press [F10] to save the information that you have recorded and end data entry for this record. The cursor will return to screen 1. You must select another menu item from the main menu to continue.

Press [Page Up] to return to screen 1. You will remain in the add or edit mode. To exit out of the add or edit mode on screen 1, press [Escape] twice.

Press [Page Down] to advance to the third screen. After selecting [Form] from the dropdown dialogue box, you will be in the third data entry screen.

Press [Escape] to end adding or editing and return to screen 1 and the main menu. The information you added or modified will be saved or lost depending upon your response to the dialogue box that appears after pressing [Escape].

Filling in the third data entry screen#

Select [Form] in the dialogue box that asks you to select the type of data entry you wish for ranking the characteristic statements.

The upper status line displays the name of the person being added or edited.

[NumLock] must be pressed on in order to add or edit responses on the third input screen. With [NumLock] on, the number four [4] key in the keypad will enter an M in the response column and move the cursor down one row. Number [5] will enter an N, (the same as a blank or empty cell) in the response column and move the cursor down one row. Number [6] will enter an L in the response column and move the cursor down one row. The [0] or [Spacebar] will also type a [ ] (a blank or empty cell) in the response column and move the cursor down one row. Each set of four questions must have one M, one L and two blank (or an N and a blank) responses.

The cursor may also be moved from cell to cell using the up [8] and down [2] arrow keys on the numeric keypad. Record all the responses on the Inventory form as explained above.

You may elect to press [M], [N or Blank], [L] as selections. Your computer will beep if you press an inappropriate letter. Data entry on the third screen is complete when all of the sets of four are completed.

Error checking on the third screen#

If you make a mistake in data entry on the third screen, an error message will appear to remind you that each set of four cells gets one M, one L, and two blank spaces.

The third screen help line#

[NumLock] on is the default mode on most computers. [NumLock] must be on before the numeric keypad can be used to enter data.

Push [F10] when you have completed inputting the responses into the third screen. Selecting this key will automatically save the ranking responses and return you to the main screen.

Pushing [PgUp] will terminate the inputting of responses on the third screen and return to the second screen. If you have not completed all of the data entry and select this key, an error

message will appear to confirm your choice. If you select Yes, GiftQuest will terminate your request to go back to the previous screen. If you choose No, you will lose your ranking responses on screen 3 and return to the second input screen.

Press [Escape] at any time to cancel data entry or modification. All responses you have entered or changes you have made will be saved or lost depending upon your response to the dialogue box that appears after pressing [Escape].

Adding a record using the interactive mode#

GiftQuest allows you to enter data from an inventory form or directly using the interactive mode. Screens 1 and 2 are identical for both modes. Follow the instructions given for adding a record using the inventory form mode for screen 1 and 2. When you complete the second input screen, a dialogue box will appear asking you to choose the method of data entry. Select [Interactive]. The interactive screen will open:

Interactive screen - Upper status line#

The upper status line records both the name of the individual being added as a record and it keeps track of the specific block (of four questions) that is currently displayed on the interactive screen. There are 40 blocks--screens.

Interactive screen - Menu and help line#

Selecting [Next] will advance you to the next block of 4. As you continue to select [Next] it will advance you to block 40 or as far as the blocks have been responded to. The menu will disappear when you encounter an empty block. When [Next] advances you to an empty block, you will automatically be placed into ranking mode as a convenience. You may press [Escape] to cancel entering data for a block. Canceling will restore the original data in the block. Pressing [Escape] a second time will exit the interactive mode and give you an opportunity to save or lose your data or modification.

How to rank the characteristics#

The GiftQuest Inventory is not a test with "right" and "wrong" answers. Do not compare yourself with others in determining your selections. Select on the basis of what is personally fulfilling, what typically results in the most inward joy-fulfillment-personal satisfaction. Do not select on the basis of what you think you should be doing or what you wish you could do like others do.

Read the four statements and push the letter (A,B,C or D) of the statement that is most like you. As you press the letter, the statement will disappear and your screen will appear with only three remaining choices

Consider the three remaining statements again and enter the letter of the remaining statement least like you. All four statements will reappear, with the ranking of: (MOST) - most like you; (LEAST) - least like you and the other two blank. You may select any of the menu options explained below.

• Selecting [Next] will advance you to the next block of four.
• Selecting [Previous] will return you to the preceding screen. You will have all the menu items available to you.
• Selecting [First] will return you to the beginning or first block.
• Selecting [Last] will advance you to the end or last block. If all of the blocks have

not been responded to, [Last] will still advance you to the last block.

• Selecting [Edit] will enable you to modify the existing choices for the block

selected. Pressing [Escape] while modifying a block will restore its original contents.

• Selecting [GoTo] will open a field on the bottom of the screen. After entering the

number of the block (1-40) that you desire to access, push [Enter] to advance to that block. If ranks need to be added or edited, select [Edit].

• Selecting [Erase] will erase all of the ranking choices that have been entered for this person. A dialogue box will allow you to verify that you desire to erase all of the rank data. The cursor will be returned to the first block in the menu. If this menu item is selected, all of the ranking data must be entered again.
• Selecting [Return] upon completion of data entry will save your data and return you

to the previous menu level. Selecting [Return] when data entry or modification is not complete, will bring up a dialogue box asking if you wish to complete data entry. Selecting [No] will save existing data and return you to the previous menu level.

Editing existing records#

Editing the first input screen#

Selecting this command will open the edit mode of the program. To remove information, place the cursor in the data field to edit and press [Ctrl + y] to completely remove your previous entry or simply type over what you are replacing with the new entry.

Saving, quitting and changing screens - Screen 1#

The help line at the bottom of the screen displays the three options for saving, quitting or changing screens while in edit mode on screen 1.

• Pressing [F10] will end the editing and save your changes. You will be returned to the main menu.
• Pressing [PgDn] will save the changes to the fields in the current screen and advance

you to the second input screen.

• Pressing [Escape] will terminate the edit mode, give you the option of saving or losing your changes and return you to the previous menu level.

Editing the second input screen#

When the second screen opens you may make the editing changes desired. To remove unwanted previous selections in check fields, place the cursor over the "X" and press [Space Bar] or [Delete]. To add a new choice, place the cursor over the appropriate space and press [x].

Saving, quitting or changing screens - Screen 2#

The status line at the bottom of the screen will give you four options for ending or continuing your editing.

• Pressing [F10] will end editing and save your changes. You will be returned to the main menu.
• Pressing [PgUp] will save your corrections and return you to the first input screen. You will remain in edit mode.
• Pressing [PgDn] will save your corrections and advance you to a dialogue box for

choosing the mode of data entry for the third screen.

• Pressing [Escape] will terminate the edit mode, give you the option of saving or losing your changes and return you to the previous menu level.

Editing the third input screen#

To edit in the form mode, choose [Form] in the dialogue box and the third data entry screen will appear in form mode. Place the cursor in the block you wish to edit and re-enter the new responses using the method described in the section entitled "Adding a new record using the Inventory Form." for the third data entry screen, the related section.

Using the edit mode status line - Screen 3#

The status line at the bottom of the form screen will give you three options for ending or continuing your editing.

Make sure [NumLock] is on (the default mode on most computers).. Entering ranking choices with the numeric keypad requires [NumLock] on.

• Pressing [F10] will save your corrections, return you to the main processor screen and turn off the edit mode.
• Pressing [PgUp] will save your corrections and return you in the edit mode to the second input screen.
• Pressing [Escape] will terminate the edit mode, give you the option of saving or losing your changes and return you to the previous menu level.

Editing Interactive Mode#

Follow the same instructions given for editing screens 1 and 2 as previously explained. Follow the instructions given on the related section to edit or modify ranking selections in the interactive mode.

Deleting existing records#

Marking records to delete#

This selection allows you to mark records you wish to remove from the database. Marking records for deletion does not actually remove the record. Actual removal occurs when the database is "Packed" - a process that is described below. Find the record (s) you wish to delete by using the Find or Search menu options. When the record you desire to delete is visible on the main processor screen, select Delete. In the upper right hand side of the upper status line the message DELETED will appear in red letters. This step will only mark records you wish to delete. Continue this process for every record you desire to mark for deletion. If you change your mind and decide you want to retain a record that is marked for deletion, simply select Delete again and the record will be unmarked.

Removing records marked for deletion#

Select More on the main menu. The upper menu will open.

When you select File you will be presented with a pulldown menu with four options. These options are Append, ReCalculate, Rebuild Indexes and Pack. Selecting Pack will remove all records that have been marked for deletion and remove any blank record rows in the main database table. It is the second half of the deletion process. This step cannot be reversed and is available when a database table has a minimum of two records.

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3. Navigating in the Menu and Selecting Functions#

Moving through records, finding/searching people, and viewing multiple records.

Navigating among the database table records#

Four commands are available on the main menu to allow one to navigate among the database table records. They can be selected from the middle of the main menu. The four are Top, Bottom, Next and Previous. Each of these functions are explained below.

Top#

Selecting Top will take you to the first record in the main database table based on the existing sorting order. When you open GiftQuest, the default sorting order is Name, an alphabetical sort on last name-first name. If the database table has been sorted for any particular gift, ministry or secular vocation (see chapter 4), then the first record will be determined by that sort.

Bottom#

Selecting Bottom will take you to the last record based on the current sort order.

Next#

Selecting Next will take you to the next record based on the current sort order.

Question: How do I scan the records, looking briefly at each one?

• Keep accessing Next to move from record to record.

Previous#

Selecting Previous, will move you to the previous record based on the current sort order.

Locating specific records#

GiftQuest has been designed to give you maximum versatility in finding specific records within the database based on field contents. There are two searching options available to you.

These searches are particularly helpful when combined with the sorting and matching options available in GiftQuest. The two options are Find and Search. Each of these functions is explained below.

Note: Neither [Find] nor [Search] are available if the database table has less than two complete records.

Find#

Selecting Find calls up the record of a specific person using their last and first name. After selecting Find, the message, "Find person by LASTNAME FIRSTNAME," will appear on the bottom of the screen:

You may enter up to 20 characters (including spaces) in the input field provided. Enter the last name followed by one space and then the first name of the person. Find will work with whatever name or portion of name you enter. If you are not sure of the full spelling of a person's last name, enter as much as you know. You do not need to enter a first name for the search, it just makes the Find more specific.

Question: How do I find the record for John Cook?

• Type COOK JOHN [Enter] to bring up John Cook's record.
• Type COO [Enter] to bring up the record of the first person whose last name begins with "Coo."

Search#

Search enables you to search through the text in all fields of all the records for a match on the search string - any particular name, ministry, vocation, church, city, or etc. that you are looking for. The only field not searched is the Notes field since memo text cannot be searched using this command:

You may enter up to 20 characters (including spaces) in the input field provided. Search will work with whatever words or portions of words that you type into the field provided. At each record matched, a dialogue box will open and you will be asked if you want to continue searching (yes or no) Entering a [y] will continue the searching and entering a [n] will end the searching. The information you are searching for may be found on the first or second input screen. If the text matched is on the second screen, it will not be visible. The processor will notify you when no other matches exist. To view the record matched, type [n] to stop searching. If the text matched is on the first screen, it will be visible. If you cannot see the text matched on screen 1, type [e] to enter the edit mode and press the [PgDn] key to examine the second screen. You can return to the main screen by pressing the [Escape] key.

Question: I want to find everyone who has listed "nursery" as a ministry they have been involved in previously. I want to find those who listed it as very fulfilling to them. I am looking for help in our nursery department. Select Search by pushing [s] on the main menu. Type nursery when search string is requested. Push [Enter] and type [n] when you find a record you want to examine. Open the second screen of the record by typing [e] and pushing [Page Down]. Examine the information and press [Escape] when you want to return to the main menu. Repeat the process until you find the records (nursery workers) you are looking for. Those records in which nursery involvement was ranked a 3 are the ones you should consider. You may elect to generate a pastor's report (see chapter 5) for each of those you find with a ranking of 3 for thorough evaluation.

Viewing multiple records at the same time#

View enables you to see a tabular view of multiple (up to 19) records at the same time. After selecting View, a multi-record view of the database table will fill the screen.

Once in the View mode you are able to move throughout the entire database table using [Page Up], [Page Down] and/or the keyboard cursor keys. The record currently selected will be indicated by the record cursor which displays the field it is on in reverse video. You may open a record from the View mode by moving the record cursor bar to that record and pressing [Enter].

Question: How can I look at all the records with the last name of Smith in the view mode?

• It is assumed that your database table is sorted on the basis of names (See chapter 4). Select

Find and type in the last name of SMITH in the field provided. Press [Enter] for the processor to find the first "Smith" and View for the multi-record view of the database. Move through the records using your cursor.

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4. Ordering / Sorting the Records#

Gift-based ministry, sorting by gifts, profiles, ministries, and vocations.

One of GiftQuest's most powerful and unique features is its ability to order its entire giftbased database table by a number of parameters. The ordering (sorting) capabilities have been developed primarily with the local church in focus. While many types of sorts are possible, the goal was to develop a means whereby the leaders of a local church could have ready access to a resource that could accurately help them guide people into effective gift based ministry.

What is gift-based ministry?#

Gift-based ministry is a term that is currently growing in its usage and understanding in the church world. We interpret motivational gift-based ministry to mean that God has created each individual with a unique profile of the seven fundamental motivations/gifts as found in

Romans 12:1-8. These motivations do not find effective or fulfilling expression in every

possible aspect of church ministry or congregation life. An individual with a primary motivation of serving would function well in select manual tasks. This same person would not do well as an administrator, coordinating the efforts of a group of servers, if they did not also possess a significant intensity of the administrative motivation. An individual with significant motivations of administration, perception and teaching would most likely seek interaction with adults rather than children in local church ministry situations.

Gift-based ministry matching is an attempt to accurately fit, place or match people with specific local-church ministry roles based on their God-given motivation. We believe that people are more effective and fulfilled when they recognize, accept and draw upon their Godgiven strengths.

Ephesians 4:11-12 states, "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some,

evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." In verse 12, the word perfecting in the KJV comes from the Greek verb KATARTIZO. This Greek verb signifies right ordering and arrangement. It focuses on the specific interaction of character and destiny.

We interpret the meaning of this passage to say that the ministries of Ephesians 4:11 are to focus on helping people find God, recognize their fit or placement in His Body and function effectively in service-ministry. Everyone has motivations/gifts that can find effective expression in ministry roles. GiftQuest seeks to help local church leaders fulfill the spirit and letter of these and other related scripture passages.

Viewing the sorted database table in a spreadsheet format#

View may be selected for a tabular "spreadsheet"-like view of the records. Nineteen records are visible at a time.

Order - Choosing a specific sorting procedure#

This selection applies to the Database Module. The data in the current database can be ordered in a variety of ways by choosing Order on the menu. The order of the records in the database not only affects the order they are accessed while navigating through the database, but, more importantly, affects how the data appears in the View window (View on the menu) and in Congregational Reports (see Report Generation.) Select Order on the main menu. A pop up menu will open with the five available options of Name, Gift, Gift Profile, Church Ministry and Secular Vocation. Dimmed menu items are unavailable with fewer than two complete records in the database table.

Name#

Select Name on the pop up menu: All of the records in this default item are sorted in an ascending alphabetical order, by last name-first name. It is commonly used to reorder the database table alphabetically after other types of sorts have be utilized (this is the default order.)

When the processor has completed the sort, the cursor defaults to Next. As you continue to select Next, Previous, Top or Bottom, you will find the records are ordered alphabetically in the database table.

Gift#

All of the records are sorted by the intensity of the gift selected. For example, sorting on exhortation will rank the entire database table on the basis of the intensity of the exhortation motivation for each person from highest to lowest.

Note that you can select any one of the seven motivations. When you perform this action, the processor will sort the database table records and place the cursor on the main menu item Next. As you continue to select Next, Previous, Top or Bottom, you will find the records positioned according to the intensity of the selected gift motivation in the gift profiles of the records.

You may select View for a multi-record view of the sorted database table. Question - I am seeking fifteen people with strong gifting in Administration to consider for 7congregation administration positions that I have to fill.

• It is assumed you have given the GiftQuest Inventory to your congregation and entered the results in the Inventory Processor. Following the instructions given in this manual, go to the

main processor menu and select in order: Order, Gift, Administration, and then View. You will find yourself in a multi-record view of the records. Those individuals with the highest intensity of the Administration motivation will be listed first. Be sure to examine the other significant motivations to help you in your selection process. You would also be greatly

profited in examining the summary report (see chapter 6) of each of the fifteen you select. You will see all of the church ministries and vocation preferences sorted for your potential administrators.

Gift Profile#

All of the records are sorted by similarity of gifting profile patterns in descending alphabetical order by a 7-character string formed by the first letters of the selected 7 gifts in descending order by gift intensity. For example, if the gift string GSMETAP is chosen, the records will be sorted on the basis of those with the highest intensity is Giving, plus the next gift in intensity is Serving, then Mercy, Exhortation, Teaching, Administration and last, Perception. This ordering groups persons with similar gift profiles together.

The next record in the database table is the individual whose gifting profile is the most similar to the profile of the record being viewed. Every possible profile pattern is sorted for and aligned in the database table. AEGMPST is the pattern of Administration, Exhortation, Giving, Mercy, Perceiving, Serving and Teaching in decreasing order of intensity. MSGAETP is the pattern of Mercy, Serving, Giving, Administration, Exhortation, Teaching and Perceiving is decreasing order of intensity. Use Find to locate a specific record and then use View to see a multi-record view of those who have profile patterns similar to the person you selected with Find. As you use this sort, keep in mind that people who have similar motivation patterns may appear to be very different due to their temperaments, experiences, educational backgrounds, upbringing and other factors. Nevertheless, they will all possess similar motivations if you speak with them and examine their activities and actions carefully. This is an extremely important point of understanding!

Church Ministry#

All of the records are sorted on the basis of gift matching with any of the listed local church ministries. Sorting on "Nursery Helper." would rank the entire database table on each person's matching aptitude for that specific ministry, based on motivational giftedness. The entire database is sorted in descending order by Gift-Aptitude for the chosen church ministry.

When you select Church Ministry a dialog box will open that will enable you to select the specific church ministry that you want all the records sorted for. As the number of records in your database table grows, this sorting routine takes longer to run.

How to select a specific church ministry to sort on#

Access the Select Ministry/Vocation dialog box as explained on the previous page by selecting Church Ministry as an Order choice. You may search through the dialog box contents for ministries in three ways.

• Move forward or backwards through the selections with the keyboard cursor. When

the desired church ministry is highlighted, press [Enter] and the sorting will begin. When it is complete you will find the menu cursor on Next.

• You may also navigate among the ministries by pressing [End] to go to the bottom

of the listing, by pressing [Home] to go to the top of the listing, by pressing [PgDn] to go down the listing one screen at a time and by pressing [PgUp] to go up the listing one screen at a time.

• You can type the first letter of the first word of the Church Ministry you are

looking for. An example would be to type an [n] for Nursery Worker to advance the cursor to the section of the ministry listings that begin with an n.

Two progress boxes will appear that will track the progress of the sort. When the sorting is complete, the cursor will be found on the default menu item Next. Use View to see a multirecord view of all the records sorted for the selected church ministry.

Gift Aptitude percentage#

The View mode is a spreadsheet view of the database table records. Note the third column labeled "Aptitude" contains percentages ranging from 1% to 100%. Each record is evaluated and expressed in general population percentages. Regardless of the size of your database table, aptitude percentages are computed on general population values.

Question - I am seeking prospective teen camp counselors for our youth camp that is coming up this summer. We have 800 people in our church and I do not want to just start asking individuals. Is there a way I can pre-select the people I should ask?

• Yes, there is! It is assumed you have given the GiftQuest Inventory to your congregation and entered the results in the Inventory Processor. Following the instructions given in this

manual, go to the main menu and select in order: Order, Church Ministry, Teen Camp Counselor, and then View. You will find yourself at the top of a multi-record view of the people in the database table. Those individuals whose gift-mix is best matched with the typical motivations of a teen camp counselor are listed first. Be sure to examine the other significant motivations of those of interest to help you in your selection process.

How to customize a specific church ministry name#

GiftQuest allows you to rename the local church ministry names to be consistent with the "language" of your local church.

On the main menu select More and select Configure off the Top-Menu. A dialogue box will open with the single option of Ministries.

Ministries#

Select Ministries and a dialogue box with an alphabetical listing of the church ministries will open. Note that each local church ministry field contains the ministry title and its corresponding ministry identification number in parentheses.

You can navigate among the local church ministry titles by one of three ways.

• You may navigate among the titles, one title at a time, by moving the cursor band

with your cursor arrows. Press [Enter] to select the specific title you wish to change.

• You may also navigate among the titles by pressing [End] to go to the bottom of the

listing, by pressing [Home] to go to the top of the listing, by pressing [PgDn] to go down the listing one screen at a time and by pressing [PgUp] to go up the listing one screen at a time.

• You may navigate alphabetically by pressing the first letter of the ministry title you

are seeking to find. Pressing [t] would move the cursor band to the first ministry title starting with the letter (T).

Example: If you wished to rename Administrative Board Chairman to the name Second Trustee Board Chairman, do the following.

Navigate to and select Administrative Board Chairman. Upon pressing [Enter] a second dialogue box will open that shows the default GiftQuest church ministry name (From) and the modified church ministry name (To). The cursor will be in the field following (To). Type in the new name and delete any remaining letters from the previous name.

Press [Enter] to save the change and you will be returned to the dialogue box with the single option of Ministries.

To verify that your change was made, select ministries again and navigate to Second Trustee Board Chairman. Note the number in parentheses has not changed. This number will remain constant, regardless of how many name changes are performed on this specific ministry. Look in appendix I of this program manual for a listing of the default local church ministry titles and ministry explanations. The ministry identification number will allow you to find the original GiftQuest name and description of the ministry.

When you have completed renaming ministry titles, press [Escape] to return to the menu bar of choice.

Secular Vocation#

All of the records are sorted on the basis of gift matching with any one of the listed vocations. For example, ordering on "Computer Programming," would rank the entire database table on each person's matching potential/aptitude for that specific vocation, based on motivational

giftedness. The vocation aptitude percentage is expressed as a general population value and is not dependent upon your database size.

Secular Vocation may be selected by clicking on it with your mouse cursor, typing the highlighted letter (S) of the option or placing the keyboard cursor over it and pressing [Enter]. When you perform this action a dialog box will open that will enable you to select the specific secular vocation that you want all the records sorted for. As the number of records in your database table grows, this sorting routine takes longer to run.

How to select a specific secular vocation to sort on#

Select Order from the main menu and a pop up menu will open with the five options of Name, Gift, Gift Profile, Church Ministry and Secular Vocation. Select Secular Vocation and the Select Vocation list box will open. You may navigate through the list box contents for vocations in any of the three ways explained in the previous section on selecting local church ministries in the Select Ministry list box. Once you select a vocation to sort on, a progress box will appear that will track the progress of the sort. When the sorting is complete, the cursor will be found on the default menu item Next. Use View to see a multi-record view of all the records sorted for the selected secular vocation.

Question - I am seeking to help a person in my congregation select a new vocation. They are 35 and want to try something new. They have received no specific guidance from the Lord and asked if I could make any suggestions. They feel like they would like to try to enter the computer field and learn how to become a programmer. They told me their good friend Bob (another person in our congregation) was doing well in that field and they would like to give it a try. I feel that the motivational gifts find expression in everything we do in life. Is there a specific way I can use GiftQuest to help this person?

• Yes, there is! It is assumed you have given the GiftQuest Inventory to your congregation, the person coming to you and their friend Bob. Following the instructions given previously,

go to the main menu and select in order: Order, Secular Vocations, Computer Programmer, and then View. You will find yourself at the top of a multi-record view of the people in the database table. Those individuals whose gift-mix is most suited for Computer Programming are found at the top of the sorted database table. Study the profiles of the top 20 percent of the people in the database table. Are there profile patterns you see? Are there specific motivations that are always or usually present? Press the [Escape] key and select Find. Search the sorted database table for the friend named Bob. Look at his gift profile. Print out the summary report (see chapter 5) for both people mentioned in the question and compare their motivation profiles. This information should help you as you guide the individual you have mentioned.

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5. Generating Reports#

Summary, complete, new member, pastor, and congregational reporting.

Another powerful feature of GiftQuest is its extensive report generating capability. This resource is designed to give the local church pastor an accurate and effective gift discovery and ministry matching resource. GiftQuest will produce a variety of thorough, accurate, and practical reports.

How to open the personal report menu#

Any time you are in the main menu, you can call upon the report feature of GiftQuest. Select Report and Personal to see the pop up dialogue box that lists the four kinds of personal reports: Summary, Complete, New Member and Pastor.

Choosing a specific report format#

GiftQuest gives you four different report formats. They differ by the kinds of information included with the report. All four include some common and unique components.

Summary#

This is the default report. Selecting Summary will produce a report having the four basic report components.

A spiritual gift profile#

One of the distinguishing features of GiftQuest is the Spiritual Gift Profile the inventory processor generates. We believe that each person has a unique profile that includes all seven motivating gifts (see the Spiritual Gift Seminar Notes for detailed information concerning each gift). An enlarged Motivational Spiritual Gift Profile is a key feature of every report. It is a graphic representation, depicting the intensity of each motivation in the person.

Note that the gift profile has a listing of the motivating gifts on the far left, a percentile ranking for each gift and a bar graph visually depicting the gifting intensity. It is of great importance to note that an exhortation intensity of 99% is a measure of the intensity of the motivation only. It is not a statement of the amount of influence or the specific ministry role the person occupies. How God chooses to place people in different roles or spheres of influence is His decision. This instrument focuses only on understanding our motivational giftedness. In interpreting the graph to others, it is important to call attention to the strength of each motivation and to identify the characterizing motivations of the person. The gift profile is shown with three zones.

• Insignificant - Gift intensities in this zone are deemed insignificant in terms of the recognizable strengths or distinctive aspects of their approach to life. Insignificant means it is a motivation that is present, but their characteristic inward reasoning and motives arise out of some of their other motivations. People "see" what they are motivated to "see." Servers see practical needs. People with lower or insignificant intensities of serving simply do not "see" the obvious practical or manual needs that others with a higher intensity of serving "see."
• Observed - Gift intensities in this zone are deemed observable in the person in terms of the recognizable strengths or distinctive aspects of their approach to life. Motivations within this intensity range are observable and are fulfilling to a degree to the individual.
• Significant - Gift intensities in this zone are deemed significant in the person in terms of the distinguishing/significant strengths or distinctive aspects of their approach to life. People fundamentally "see" life through the gifts they were given of these intensities. They are God-given motivating strengths and can find effective and fulfilling expression in life/ministry/vocation roles that draw upon or call for those specific motivations.

There are other factors to take into consideration, but it is the perspective of the authors of GiftQuest that the innermost God-given motivations of the person are the single most important factor to take into account in functioning effectively in life/ministry/vocation roles. These motivational resources may be utilized for Kingdom purposes and may sadly be wasted on non-Kingdom pursuits.

Identification of primary and secondary significant gifts#

A simple statement is included that lists the primary (gift of the highest intensity) and secondary gifts that are in the significant intensity range. The statement, "Your primary motivational gift is:" is followed by the name of the most significant gift. This gift is more of a characterization of who the person is rather than something they have. All of the other motivations that rank in the significant range are listed in descending order of intensity as secondary gifts. They are significant contributors to the motivation profile of the person being described.

Personalized motivation characterization#

The next section is a personalized characterization of the individuals' motivation profile. There are a number of possible characterizing statements for each one of the seven gifts. The statements differ depending upon the ranked order and intensity of the motivation. GiftQuest selects the appropriate statements for each motivation of each record. The motivation characterization is a seven-paragraph printout of varying lengths. This section verbally characterize the motivations of the person being evaluated.

Local church ministries matched to gift aptitude#

One of the most practical and helpful aspects of GiftQuest is its ministry-matching feature. GiftQuest prints a sorted list of the top 20% of a list of more than 130 local church ministries

matched for gift-aptitude with the individual being evaluated. Appendix A is a listing of the ministries by title and definition. As explained in chapter 4, GiftQuest gives you the option of editing the names of the local church ministries to be in keeping with your church's established terminology. Any local church pastor can personalize and use this resource to help them more effectively place people under their care in gift-matched ministry. Furthermore, GiftQuest gives purchasers permission to photocopy the GiftQuest Inventory Form and redesign the cover if that would be deemed a necessity or benefit in their church setting.

Secular vocation matched to gift aptitude#

GiftQuest also prints the top 20% of a listing of more than 220 secular vocations (see Appendix B), sorted by the gift-aptitudes of persons in the database. People often are looking for help in choosing a vocation and GiftQuest can be used effectively to select potential vocations based on spiritual gifting. It can be a powerful resource in assisting people with vocation decisions.

Complete#

The complete report includes all that is in the summary report and adds at the end a full-page description of the primary and each of the secondary motivations that are in the significant range for the individual profiled. Both the strengths and weaknesses of each of the motivations are described.

New Member#

The New Member report includes all that is in the Summary, Complete and Pastor report. Furthermore, it includes a simple form for gathering biographical information for church records. This form can be edited to conform to your particular church needs.

Open C:\GQ\NEWMEMB.TXT with any common text editor and view the biographical part of the new member report template. You are free to change the general background report template to suit your church needs. You are advised to limit this text file to a maximum of two pages of 56 lines each, including a five-line header printed by the program on the first page.

Pastor#

The Pastor report is an option intended to help those pastors who would desire to have ready access to the spiritual gift profile and ministry matching information for those in their congregation. It furthermore contains two simple validity measures to help pastors determine the degree of confidence to place in the gift profile for each person taking the inventory. This report contains:

• Heading - The person for whom the gift analysis is printed along with the date they gave as the time they filled in the inventory form.
• Inconsistency Index - A number ranging from 1 to 12. Those who take the inventory often comment that the some of the questions were repeated. There are twenty questions for each motivation. Each motivation is combined with the other six motivations in every possible combination. Presenting the statements in groups of four requires a minimum of 140 statements to fulfill all combination of the 7 gifts taken 4 at a time. Every motivation has the same number of statements that are repeated with different groupings of motivation statements. If and when a respondent

in a block identifies a specific motivation statement as (M) or most like them and then in another block identifies the exact same motivation statement as (L) or least like them, the processor adds a value of 1 to the inconsistency index. The lower the inconsistency number, the greater the consistency was in responding to the statements. Roughly 96% of those taking the inventory will have scores ranging between 1 and 6. Values above 6 indicate a relatively high degree of inconsistency which probably mean the results are less reliable.

• Contrast Index - A number is listed that will range from 1 to 75. Roughly 96% of those taking the inventory will have scores between 10 and 60. In this instance the higher the number the greater the contrast has been in all of the person's responses to ranking the characteristic statements. It is anticipated that each person responding to the inventory will demonstrate the most contrast in their answers for their primary gifting/motivation. One would expect that most of their rankings of statements linked

to their primary motivation would be (M) - most like me or ( ) - Blank and fewer rankings of statements linked to their primary motivation as (L) - least like me. It is further anticipated that for each of the other motivations, there would be an increasing tendency for responses to be any one of the three possible (M, Blank or L) as you move down the ranked list of motivations for that person. With this perspective, one would expect the least amount of contrast in the person's responses to the statements linked to their last ranked motivation.

GiftQuest is programmed with the previous assumptions. The contrast is calculated by taking every one of the person's ranking responses into consideration and evaluating them in light of their motivation ranking.

Contrast Index numbers below 16 suggest considerable confusion, a general lack of understanding, inventory anxiety, motivation ignorance or a myriad of other possibilities. It is suggested that those respondents with scores below 16 that have a high interest in knowing how they are motivated, retake the inventory with someone who knows them well. A second person can help focus thinking (not make the choices) during the ranking process.

• A Spiritual Gift Profile - A graphic representation depicting the intensity of each motivation for the person.
• Primary and Secondary Significant Gifts Identification - The primary and

secondary significant gifts are listed.

• Local Church Ministry Matching - A sorted list of the top 20% of the local church ministries is included.

Question: Can I structure and use my personal membership records to more effectively use motivation gift information?

• Yes! It is suggested that you establish an alphabetized notebook (or a separate computer text database if congregation size warrants) in which you keep a copy of the pastor report for each member. This record could be referred to: When preparing to have a pastoral conference and refreshing your knowledge of the person's basic motivations; When preparing for a marriage counseling session with a couple to gain insight regarding some of the dynamics and possible problem areas; When planning to meet with a church member to help them find a place of fulfilling ministry; When sending a letter of transfer of membership in order to include some form of the pastor report with your letter; When preparing to meet with a board for a pivotal meeting to refresh your understanding of the basic spiritual motivations of each board member; When you have experienced a criticism or unfortunate experience with a church member to help focus your thinking to better understand the perspective and/or approach of the other person; When you are looking to maintain a balance in all of the seven motivations (or a concentration of a particular motivation) on a board or committee to find gift-specific people.

GiftQuest Report Setup Module#

Selecting any one of the four personal report options will generate the report and open the GiftGuest Report Setup Module with the following features.

Selected Printer#

The printer selected as your default printer by Windows is identified in the box labeled Selected Printer. You may change your selected printer by clicking on Setup and following normal Windows protocol in changing to another available printer.

Report Destination#

You may print your generated report immediately or you may choose to preview it first. Selecting Printer and clicking OK will print your chosen report. Selecting PreView and clicking OK opens the Report Preview Browse Module. You may visually examine the contents of the report that has been generated.

Zoom:#

You can zoom in and out at 10% increments using the (+) and (-) magnifying smartcoms. You can zoom to page width or whole page using the page smartcoms.

Move Through the Pages#

You can move page by page forward or backwards through the report using the forward or backwards pointing hands smartcoms.

Print#

You can print the previewed report selecting the printer smartcom.

Done#

You can return to the database module by selecting the (Done) return door smartcom.

Congregational reports#

A congregational report is a tabular report of all of the persons in the database. While personal reports provide detailed information on individuals, congregational reports provide summary information for all of the individuals represented in the database. The congregational report that will be printed depends on the current sort order of the database (see chapter 4). The report options are as follows:

Name - The report will be ordered alphabetically by last name, first name. • Gift - The report will be ordered by the intensity of one of the seven motivating gifts • in descending order. Gift Profile - The report will be ordered by similarity of gifting profile patterns. • Church Ministry - The report will be ordered by gift-aptitude for one of the more • than 130 local church ministries. Secular Vocation - The report will be ordered by gift-aptitude for one of the more • than 220 vocations.

Order the database according to your desired option (See chapter 4). Select Report from the main menu and Congregation from the pop up dialogue box. The report will be generated and the GiftQuest Report Setup Module will open. Review the preceding sections regarding the setup module menu options.

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6. File Options#

Append, recalculate, rebuild indexes, and pack database files.

GiftQuest provides four file menu options. These options enable you to merge records from one database table into another, to recalculate gift intensities and profiles, to rebuild indexes and to pack the main database table. Some of these options require a minimum of two records before enabled.

To access the file menu, select More on the main menu and File from the upper menu.

Append#

Select Append to open the append dialogue box. Enter the path and filename of the database table you wish to select records from to append to the main database table you are logged into.

Example: The records you want to append are in the counseling database named GQ.DBF located in C:\GQ\COUNSEL.

Type: C:\GQ\COUNSEL\GQ

Note: The program will check the validity of the path and file name, add the extension (.DBF) and open a dialogue list box if the path and file name are valid and if the file is a valid GiftQuest database table. Do not add the database file extension (.DBF)!

A list box displaying the names for records in the table that you are appending from will open. Note that the records are not listed alphabetically, but in the order that they were added into the table. The last (bottom) records in the list are the most recent additions. Select the individual records you wish to append by pressing [Spacebar] for each one. An arrowhead symbol will appear to the left of each record marked. You may unmark a record by pressing [Spacebar] again. Press [Enter] when finished selecting records to complete the Append. GiftQuest will import the selected records, reindex the table and sort on name the database table.

ReCalculate#

ReCalculate updates the gift intensities and profiles for all of the records in the main database table. When this menu item is chosen, a status bar appears to chart the progress of the recalculation. If your main database table has many records, this function will take some time to complete. This option is included so that existing databases can be synchronized with future GiftQuest revisions and will not be needed until that time. When the recalculating is complete, GiftQuest will re-index the main database table (see next menu item).

Rebuild Indexes#

This option will rebuild the indexes for the main database table. Provision is made to rebuild the indexes of the records in the main database table. This function should only be necessary if index files become corrupted which would result in the Find and Sort options not working correctly or generating errors. A series of status box windows will appear to track this process.

Pack#

Pack removes all records marked for deletion from the database table. Selecting Pack will result in a screen dialogue box appearing that verifies your selection. Pressing [y] will activate the packing function.

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7. Introducing the Motivating Gifts#

Romans 12, the meaning of motivations, and gift-based ministry.

Great diversity of thought exists today regarding spiritual gifts. While this is a computer program manual, we have included this section of 8 chapters to describe the motivations and explain the "theology" behind this computer resource. The authors of GiftQuest recognize and appreciate the doctrinal diversity that exists in churches. It is our perspective that the gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 are foundational or fundamental in the life of everyone today. We believe these gifts are active in all, regardless of one's beliefs or practice concerning the numerous other gifts listed in Scripture. This resource has therefore limited its focus to the seven gifts of Romans 12:6-8.

Romans 12 and the motivating gifts#

The first 11 chapters of Romans focus on the problem (sin) that consumes all of humanity and God's provision, our redemption in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul then addresses the practical application of these truths, beginning with chapter 12. In verses 1 through 8, the motivating gifts are addressed. Each of these eight verses will be briefly interpreted, in the light of this resource.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

• 1 - Because of and based upon everything that has been addressed in Romans 1-11, we are to accept and glorify our Heavenly Father as God--Creator--Redeemer. We are to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to Him in accepting and living out His creative design, purposes and provisions for our lives. This is intelligent, spiritual worship.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

• 2 - We are not to be shaped or molded after the world's pattern of prideful comparisons and establishing an identity that is not founded in God's creative work in our life. We are to be transformed into a new kind of living, by developing a renewed mind. Our goal is to bring a demonstration in our lives of the wisdom of God's will for us. What God has done in us is good--very good!

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

• 3 - Building upon what Jesus Christ has done for us and who we are in Him, the next aspect of possessing a renewed mind is reflected in what we think about ourselves. We are not to over-value or devalue ourselves, but to think accurately about who we are. God has given to everyone a measure of faith that, in context, finds expression in spiritual giftedness.

Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

• 4 - Look at the architecture of the human body as an analogy. We have many different members or kinds of limbs--parts. Each part has a unique and different function. (Your hand has the function of a hand and may be utilized in any number of different roles i.e. typing, writing, steering, throwing, holding, sketching and an endless so on's.) Romans 12:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
• 5 - The Body of Christ is similar to the human body in that though there are many different members, they are all part of one Body. Their uniqueness (by analogy) is in their ordained function.

Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; Romans 12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

• 6-8 - We have different resources because we have different gifts. Our uniqueness is neither earned nor deserved. We have the fundamental resources we do because of grace. God has given us the motivations we have to accomplish His creative purposes for our lives. People are fundamentally different, because God has made them so.

The most basic parts of the Body of Christ are functions, not roles! There are seven distinctly different functions. These functions are prophecy (or perception), ministry (or serving), teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling (or administration) and showing mercy. The intent of this passage is interpreted to mean that a foundational aspect of a renewed mind is an identification of, understanding of, and acceptance of our God-given giftedness. We are to concentrate and approach every role we are called to in our motivational strengths to maximize our effectiveness.

While God has chosen to call individuals to greatly differing roles and levels of influence, He has gifted everyone with different profiles of the same, seven foundational motivations. Our uniqueness (giftedness) is expressed through whatever role we are called to function in. The author of this manual is teacher/exhorter motivated. He approaches every role he occupies predominately out of these two motivations.

In reality, the gifts are not to be considered as something we have. They are who we are. We are members of Christ's Body--the Church. As members, we are parts. We do not "have a part", rather we are a part. The motivations are like the operating system God has placed in our "innermost computer." The author of this manual sees himself as one who is in Christ--a teaching exhorter.

Biblical understanding of motivations#

Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the "thoughts and intents of the heart." These terms mean the inward

reasonings and inward purposes--intentions. The motivations are characterized as common inward reasoning and inward intention patterns. People with similar motivational gifts have similar thought and intent approaches to life.

What is gift-based ministry?#

Gift-based ministry is a term that is currently growing in its understanding in the church world. We interpret motivational gift-based ministry to mean that God has created each individual with a unique profile of the seven fundamental motivations/gifts as found in

Romans 12:1-8. These motivations do not find effective or fulfilling expression in every

possible aspect of church ministry or congregation life.

An individual with a primary motivation of serving would function well in select manual tasks. This same person would not do well as an administrator, coordinating the efforts of a group of servers, if they did not also possess a significant intensity of the administrative motivation. An individual with significant motivations of administration, perception and teaching would seek interaction with adults rather than children in local church ministry situations.

Gift-based ministry matching is an attempt to accurately fit, place or match people with specific local-church ministry roles based on their God-given motivating resources. We believe that people are more effective and fulfilled when they recognize, accept and draw upon their God-given strengths.

What is perfecting or equipping the saints?#

Ephesians 4:11-12 states, "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some,

evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." In verse 12, the word perfecting in the KJV comes from the greek verb KATARTIZO and is translated equipping in some newer translations.. This greek verb signifies right ordering and arrangement. It focuses on the specific interaction of character and destiny. We interpret the meaning of this passage to say that the ministries of Ephesians 4:11 are to focus on helping people find God, recognize their fit or placement in His Body and function effectively in service-ministry. Everyone has

motivations/gifts that can find effective expression in ministry roles. GiftQuest seeks to help local church leaders fulfill this Scripture passage in an accurate and practical way.

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8. Administration#

Administration gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to envision and coordinate the activities of others for the achievement of common goals. It is an inner urging to preside, lead or stand before others. The motivation is an inner prompting to organize or coordinate personal responsibilities.

If my primary gifting is Administration#

Your highest spiritual motivation is that of ruling, or more descriptively known as administration. Administrating/organizing/leading is the fulfilling way of life for you. In areas appropriate for you, you are willing to lead or stand before others. In areas you feel competent, you are able to coordinate the activities of others for the achievement of common goals. You see the value in delegating responsibilities to others. You are willing, probably desirous of seeking new challenges upon the completion of previous goals. You are literally or figuratively a "list-maker". You can visualize the approach and completion of desired goals-tasks. You have a desire to see tasks accomplished as quickly as possible. You can stay relatively "task-focused!" You may have wondered on some occasions why other people are not just "more organized." When you function in this primary gifting you may be considered like "shoulders" in the Body of Christ, carrying the organizational and positional load of leadership.

Scripture reference#

Romans12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Greek word and meaning#

proistemi - Literally it means 'to stand before' in application it means, to lead, to attend to (indicating care and diligence)1 The person who takes the lead in any way, They might or might not be an official2. It literally means he that is placed in front. The reference is to any position involving superintendence3. It means the one standing in front4.

A biblical example: Joseph (Genesis 37 - 45)#

1 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 307. 2 W. Robertson Nicoll, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by J. Denney (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans), 1988, 691. 3 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 158. 4 Archibald T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Baker: Grand Rapids, 1930), vol. 4, Epistles of Paul, 404.

He was a visionary--he dreamed leadership based dreams. • He had a zeal for his dreams--he shared them with others. • He was forceful--he was unafraid to share his self-focused dreams openly. • He drew and withstood the criticism of his brothers. • He was under authority--his father, Potiphar, the prison leader and Pharaoh. • He assumed responsibility in guiding and directing others--his brothers, Potiphar's • household, fellow prisoners, and the nation of Egypt. His administrative competence was recognized by others--his father, Potiphar, the • prison leader and the king of Egypt He remained focused in adverse circumstances--his brother's opposition, Egyptian • slavery, the advances of Potiphar's wife, unjust imprisonment, and the Egyptian crisis. He worked effectively in long range planning--managing the 7 years of crop • abundance and 7 years of famine in Egypt. He accepted the new and varied challenges--his brothers care, Potiphar's household, • the prison population, the nation of Egypt, and the protection of his family. He approached life organizationally--guiding Potiphar's household, tending to fellow • prisoners, and administrating God's plan to save Egypt and others during the great famine. He maintained a broad perspective in various circumstances-- Potiphar's household, • prison, and the Egyptian crisis. He completed long range tasks--managing Potiphar's household and preparing Egypt • to face the famine. He understood the need for loyalty and confidence in those under his direction--seen • in the testing of his brothers in Egypt. He broke down large goals into manageable units--his approach to preparing for the • famine. He understood the need for effective organized administrative guidance--his • responses to Pharaoh's initial questioning.

Key insight#

1. Those with this motivation are born to envision, promote and guide.

2. Authority issues greatly impact the administrator's effectiveness. They must be under authority to properly guide those under their authority. 3. Administrators must learn how to respond wisely to those in opposition to their leadership. They will face criticism and differences of opinion regarding their direction and decisions. They must be able to learn from and turn aside from those who do not understand. 4. They must be diligent to maintain their zeal.

Basic motivations#

A. Administrators have an inner urging and ability to coordinate the activities of others for the achievement of common goals. B. Administrators desire to lead, to stand before others. They have tremendous staying ability. C. Administrators long to organize and are able to coordinate personal responsibilities. D. Administrators seek new challenges upon completion of previous tasks. E. Administrators commonly utilize charts, diagrams and visual aids to communicate.

Personality characteristics#

A. They can visualize final results. They understand what must be accomplished to complete a task. B. They can organize and break down major goals into manageable units. They can see long-term projects brought to completion. C. They can match gifted people with project responsibilities. They are effective in enlisting others (anointed askers). D. They know what should and what should not be delegated. E. They desire to see tasks accomplished as quickly and whole-heartedly as possible. Their efficiency begins before they start a project. They are able to check out and secure resources. F. They can remove themselves from distracting situations to focus on primary responsibilities. G. They can inspire and encourage those around them. H. They can endure opposition and reaction for those inside and outside to accomplish a task.

I. They need loyalty and confidence from those they direct. Their efficiency depends upon the faithfulness of those working with or under them. They really want to know who they can count on! J. They show a tendency to assume new challenges once something is completed or routine! K. They tend to stand aside until leadership responsibility is given,

Immature expressions-Misuse#

A. They may respond to workers as resources and not people. B. They may become sidetracked by personal goals and ambitions. C. They may show favoritism to those appearing more loyal. D. They may prematurely take charge of mismanaged projects or prematurely step into leadership voids. E. They may load willing workers with too much work. They may err greatly in not developing new people. F. They may overlook serious character flaws in valuable workers. G. They may be unresponsive to valid criticism or close their ear to grievances. H. They may respond wrongly to those in opposition to themselves.

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9. Exhortation#

Exhortation gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to encourage, to motivate people to remain faithful and grow in maturity in their Christian walk. It is a verbal, relationshiporiented gift. It is an inner desire to promote acceptance and harmony in the Body of Christ. It is an inner desire to bring a lift to people. This gift may be considered the "mouth" of the Body of Christ.

If my primary gifting is Exhortation#

You are first and foremost an exhorter. You are a relational person, a communicator with others when interacting with them regarding their growth, walk and or maturity. You have an inner sensing of spiritual achievement and goals appropriate to realize such achievement. You are focused on promoting acceptance and harmony among others. In this light, you may be able to relate to diverse groups, showing great understanding, acceptance, and diplomacy in dealing with others. You seek face-to-face involvement with others and may frequently be involved in counseling situations. You are good at gaining insight regarding people and life through life's experiences. When you function in this primary gifting you may be considered like "mouth" in the Body of Christ, speaking, having a lot to say and encouraging others.

Scripture reference#

Romans12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Greek word and meaning#

paraklesis - It primarily means a calling to one's side, and so to one's aid. It denotes an

consolation and comfort.5 It is one who speaks words of appeal, encouragement, encouragement6 It is one aiming at the heart and will of others7

A biblical example: Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-30; 11:22-#

30; 15)#

5 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 60. 6 W. Robertson Nicoll, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by J. Denney (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans), 1988, 691. 7 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 157.

His message and commitment were applied through his life--he was nicknamed the • "Son of Consolation", he invested his land in the needs of the church He promoted acceptance/harmony in the Body--he brought Saul before the Apostles • He focused on working with people--Saul, new Christians in Antioch, John Mark • He was comfortable with different people--Saul, new Christians at Antioch, • missionary journeys He stimulated/encouraged/exhorted people to follow the Lord with purpose--his role • in Antioch, missionary journeys He promoted faithfulness--his role in Antioch, John Mark • He illustrated character qualities of a positive spirit, a non- judgmental attitude, • accepting of, focusing on practical faith--his role in Antioch and missionary journeys He expected others to maintain spiritual intensity--his role in Antioch • He invested in the growth of others--he brought Saul to Antioch, the church in • Antioch He applied the teachings of Christ practically--the Antioch "Christians" • He believed in and supported people--Saul, John Mark • He had a drawing to one-on-one interaction--Saul, John Mark • He was willing to suffer for his convictions--his conflict with Paul over John Mark, • his support of Gentile Christians at the council in Jerusalem

Key insight#

5. This is a relational motivation, aiming for the heart of people. 6. Hope is the vital aspect of their effectiveness. Maintaining personal hope is a continuing focus in their lives. It is their greatest strength and deepest vulnerability. They are to rejoice in hope. 7. Their effectiveness requires focused patience and commitment in times of personal adverse pressure. 8. They must maintain a vital dependency on prayer and not depend on their words to change the hearts of people. 9.

Basic motivations#

A. Exhorters desire to call or urge people to grow in maturity in Christ (builders of people). B. Exhorters discern the growth levels of others and are motivated to stimulate growth in others. C. Exhorters think in specific steps of action and are able to discern root problems. D. Exhorters promote acceptance and harmony in the Body of Christ. E. Exhorters are drawn to one-on-one interaction/counseling. They are prompted to be transparent about their own lives.

Personality characteristics#

A. They desire face to face involvement with others. They focus on working with people. B. They focus on visual responses and utilize them for great advantage. It is frustrating to them when others do not listen or follow their counsel. C. They relate well with diverse groups and seek to promote harmony between them. They are peace makers. D. They have an ability to visualize spiritual achievement needed by others. They could commonly say, "You need to change this and the following will happen." E. They avoid information that seems non-practical in application. They are drawn to practical steps of action that will aid growth. F. They draw spiritual insight from human experiences that may be validated, amplified from Scripture. They tend to begin with life and go to Scripture for confirmation. G. They realize great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment when people ollow and benefit from their counsel. H. They focus on how-to-do something: how to walk, how to please, how to live, how to handle life's situations.

Immature expressions--Misuse#

A. They may depend too much on visual responses. B. They may raise expectations of others without establishing realistic timetables. C. They may become so involved in helping others that personal loss is experienced. D. They may depend too much on illustrations in their communicating with others.

E. They may prematurely change to a new direction that appears more promising than the current status. F. They may focus too much on visible results rather than heart changes. G. They may lead people into a dependency upon themselves. H. They may focus more on human reasoning or human wisdom than God's wisdom. They may lack patience with the slow progress of others. I.

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10. Giving#

Giving gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to share oneself (to pour out a life), and/or to give a share of what is possessed to honor the Lord or advance His work. It is a motivation to invest oneself and resources in the support of others. This gift may be considered the "arms" of the Body of Christ.

If my primary gifting is Giving#

Your primary gift of giving expresses itself as a desire of one who wants their life to count, to invest their life, to expend themselves for Christ. You may or may not possess the ability to acquire significant financial resources, but you are willing to share what you do possess. You are willing to focus your life so that you can invest yourself and resources in others. You are frequently able to motivate others to give out of their lives. How other people and organizations handle their resources is a matter of significant interest to you. You tend to shun public recognition and frequently desire anonymity in matters relating to your giving. You possess a tremendous capacity to involve yourself in tasks, ministries, people and organizations that you are investing yourself in. You recognize the need for and generally support evangelistic endeavors. When you function in this primary gifting you may be considered like supporting and enabling "arms" and "legs" of the Body of Christ.

Scripture reference#

Romans12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Greek word and meaning#

metadidomi - It means to give a share of, to impart. It is expressed in a broad diversity of applications.8

Earthly possessions, The preposition used indicates sharing with, they that impart9 It is the person who imparts of their means to those who have need. It is to be with simplicity-liberality in the quality of a mind which does so because it sees and feels the need, and for no other reason. God assigns a person the function of a giver when He bestows this kind of mind on them by His Spirit.10

8 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 149. 9 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 157. 10 W. Robertson Nicoll, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by J. Denney (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans), 1988, 691.

A biblical example: Abraham (Genesis 12-22)#

He was willing to follow God's promptings--he left his father's homeland for an • unknown destination. His life revolved around investing and increase--God's promise to bless him as he • responded to His purposes for him. He illustrated the giver's desire to honor the Lord--he built an altar to the Lord when • God identified the land of promise. He had possessions to share and was wise in their use--he was a wealthy man in a • foreign country. He was willing to invest heavily in the welfare of others--he gave Lot his choice of • the land. He poured out of his time, energy and personal resources for the sake of others--he • came to Lot's rescue with his own resources. He responded to inner promptings to give to the Lord--he gave the first tithe recorded • in Scripture. He understood the Lordship/Ownership of God as creator and source of blessing to • all--he refused the spoils of war upon his victory. He wanted others to understand, that God is the source--he told the King of Sodom • that God alone would provide for him. He depended upon confirmations regarding his actions--God frequently came and • confirmed His plan. He was entrusted by God with significant resources--God told him to walk the entire • land, for it had been given to him. He invested and blessed others in ministering to their physical/ material needs--the • visitors that came to talk with Abram about his promised son. He had intimate involvement in investing into and the meaning of covenants--he took • of his flock and entered into a blood covenant with God. He aggressively invested in the life and well-being of others--his intercession for • Sodom. He wanted his life to count, to impact others--his name, the blessings God had • frequently spoken upon him. He was a part of opening the way to others to meet God--he is called the "Father of • Faith."

He unquestioningly obeyed God and was willing to give back to God what was • precious to him--his willingness to give his son Isaac to the Lord. He understood that giving to the Lord is not loss, but a return from the Lord will • occur--he understood that the Lord would honor his willingness to give his son with a return of like and equally precious life.

Key insight#

10. For the giver, Lordship-Ownership issues are a pivotal issue for their life. 11. The giver must protect his freedom to respond to God's promptings whenever they may come. 12. The giver focuses on the best use of whatever resources are available to him to invest in others. 13. Givers generally have a great involvement in sharing or funding the sharing of the Gospel. 14. The giver must learn to give simply, without strings or control.

Basic motivations#

A. Givers desire to invest to advance the works they support. Scripture speaks of: giving material goods (Luke 3:11), sharing spiritual gifts (Romans 1:11), giving financial resources (Ephesians 4:28), sharing the Gospel (I Thessalonians 2:8) and sharing one's life (I Thessalonians 2:8). B. Givers desire to restrict personal use of resources to ensure availability to share with others. C. Givers motivate others to give, they deeply understand the value of giving. D. Givers have an inward prompting to evaluate or monitor how resources and finances are handled. E. Givers find sources where resources or funds may be obtained.

Personality characteristics#

A. Giving is a real joy. Givers invest themselves with their gifts. They are giving themselves and their gifts. B. Givers are prone to make wise investments and purchases. They are motivated to use assets of time, money and possessions to advance what they believe in.

C. Givers desire to give quietly. They shun public recognition. They do not want recipients to look to them for provision. D. Givers desire to respond to inward leadings rather than outward pressure of appeals. They tend to react negatively to pressure appeals. They frequently see needs others overlook. E. Givers desire to give high quality gifts. They can discern value and desire to give quality gifts. F. Givers are frequently content with a living style below what would be available to them given their financial resources. They are concerned with getting the best buy. They spend extra energy on being resourceful with what they possess. G. Givers "see" overlooked needs and they are concerned how others spend their resources. They value confirmations highly! H. Givers are involved in motivating others to give. They want others to share the joy and growth of giving.

Immature expressions--Misuse#

F. They can reserve their resources for themselves. They may forsake the fear of God. G. They may fall to poor management of their time, talents and treasures. H. They may be stingy or extravagant in regard to personal family matters. I. They may judge, rather than advise those in financial difficulty. J. They may let people look to them rather than to God for help. K. They may be too slow to respond to promptings to give. L. They may go too far in rejecting appeals. M. They may judge others who do not invest their lives into causes they believe in as they do.

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11. Mercy#

Mercy gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to identify with the joys and distresses of others. There is a prompting to take action to remove hurts (especially emotional hurts) and bring healing to others. It may be considered the "heart" of the Body, relational-showing kindness, care, and mercy to others.

If my primary gifting is Mercy#

Your most significant gift is that of mercy or showing compassion. You have an inner prompting and ability to identify with the distresses and joys of others. You take action to remove hurts (especially emotional hurts) and bring healing to others. You are frequently able to discern the emotional status of others and view life through that intuitive sensing. You are drawn to people in distress. You have a significant vulnerability to frequent hurts from those who fail to demonstrate sincere love to yourself or others. You have a tendency to avoid firmness until you see it necessary to avoid greater hurt. You possess a sensitivity to hurtful words and actions and can respond to them in like kind. You tend to "close your spirit" to those who are offending you or others. You show significant loyalty to friends. As you function in this primary gift, you may be considered like "heart" in the Body of Christ, intuitive, relational, showing kindness, care and mercy to others.

Scripture reference#

Romans12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Greek word and meaning#

eleeo - It means to feel sympathy with the misery of another, and especially sympathy

manifested in act; it assumes a need on the part of him who receives it and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. It is an outward manifestation.11 It refers to one who does deeds of kindness. It is an endowment of brightness and good cheer.12 The cheerfulness of the mercy gift is the joyful eagerness, the amiable grace, which makes the so gifted visitor a sunbeam penetrating into the sick-chamber, and to the heart of the afflicted.13

A biblical example: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35)#

11 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 60-61. 12 W. Robertson Nicoll, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by J. Denney (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans), 1988, 691. 13 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 158.

It is a great capacity for love--he had compassion for the man beaten and robbed. • It is a compassion that breaks through social barriers--he, being a Samaritan, tended • to the needs of a Jew. It is an inner drawing to the hurting--he felt compassion on the beaten Jew. • It is an inner drive to take action to relieve suffering--he went to the hurting man. • It is a willingness to utilize available resources to relieve suffering-- he dressed his • wounds, poured his oil on the man, set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn. It is a willingness to care for others till the hurt is removed--He took the beaten man • to an inn for further care. It is an anticipation of future needs--he paid the cost of the inn lodging. • It is an understanding of the impact of circumstances on others--he assured the • innkeeper that he would reimburse all expenses incurred.

Key insight#

15. This gift is the showing compassion with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. Sympathy says, "I'm sorry you hurt." Empathy says, "I'm sorry you hurt and I hurt with you." Mercy-Compassion says, "I'm sorry you hurt, I hurt with you and I will help you, as I can, until the hurt is gone." 16. Their greatest resource is their most vulnerable quality; their sensitivity. They are feeling people with noticeable deeds of caring. They are particularly vulnerable to bitterness and harshness to those uncaring. 17. They are crusaders for caring causes. They carry tremendous passion. 18. They must stay open, available and vulnerable to people.

Basic motivations#

A. Mercy motivated people identify with the joys and distresses of others. B. Mercy motivated people take action to remove hurts and bring emotional healing and relieve distress. C. Mercy motivated people identify words and actions that hurt others, and they can detect insincerity.

D. Mercy motivated people discern the emotional atmosphere of individuals and adults. E. Mercy motivated people are very sensitive to emotional status (Ex. up, down; elated, depressed; confident, fearful).

Personality characteristics#

A. It is an ability to perceive genuine love and detect insincerity. B. It is an attraction to people in distress. It is a focus on mental and emotional distress. C. It is a strong tendency to attract people in distress (needy people seek them out). D. It is a need for deep friendships in which mutual commitment is present. E. Acceptance is measured by physical closeness and quality time together. F. It is a tendency to avoid firmness unless necessary to eliminate greater hurt. G. It is a sensitivity to hurtful words and actions on their part and others. They try to stop actions causing hurt. H. It is an attraction to those who are sensitive to other's needs. I. It is a responsiveness to hurtful actions, insensitivity, harshness and rejection. They will "close their spirits and may respond with harshness and bitterness in return." J. It is an attraction to those with the spiritual gift of prophecy. K. It is a willingness to give preference or place to others. They practice giving preference to others. L. It is a tendency to remember birthdays, special occasions and do thoughtful things for others. M. It is a tendency to take extra time to accomplish tasks. N. It is being ruled by one's heart rather than by one's head. O. It is a rejoicing to see others blessed and a grieving to see others hurt.

Immature expressions--Misuse

A. They may turn the force of mercy to the force of bitterness. B. They may take up offenses that have happened to others, and feel them like they have happened to themselves. C. They may attack or cut off fellowship with those they deem as being insensitive. D. They may make decisions based on emotions and feelings rather than being Spiritled.

E. They may fail to be firm and decisive when necessary. F. They may establish "possessive friendships." G. They may promote improper affections. Their affectionate nature is often misunderstood. H. They may provide inappropriate comfort to those who are willfully violating God's principles.

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12. Perception#

Perception gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to perceive what is right vs. wrong, good vs. evil or true vs. false. It is an intuitive perceiving and prompting to proclaim, promote and pray about the will of God. The gift is manifested as an intense desire to correct what is seen as wrong. This may be considered the "eyes" of the Body of Christ.

If my primary gifting is Perception#

Your highest spiritual motivation is that of prophecy, or more descriptively known as the gift of perception. You have a strong inner prompting and ability to perceive what is right versus wrong, good versus evil or true versus false. You are gifted to perceive, proclaim, promote and pray about the will of God. You possess an intense desire to correct what you see as wrong. You are unusually quick to come to and express your perceptions, thoughts and ideas verbally. You possess an inner prompting to bring others to a point of accountability and conviction. You tend to be whole-hearted in your involvements. You are willing to suffer for what you perceive as right. You have an intense desire that justice be done. You are willing to terminate existing relationships to remain loyal to truth. When you function in this primary gifting you may be considered "eyes" in the Body of Christ, gifted with spiritual sight.

Scripture reference#

Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

Greek word and meaning#

propheteia - This signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God. It is the

declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means. It is the forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future. The message is a direction revelation of the mind of God for the occasion.14

A prophetic endowment.15 The key idea is not prediction, but the inspired delivery of warning, exhortation, instruction, judging, and making manifest the secrets of the heart. They speak under direct divine inspiration.16

14 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 221. 15 W. Robertson Nicoll, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by J. Denney (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans), 1988, 690. 16 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 156.

A biblical example: John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)#

They supernaturally perceive the will of God--the Word of God came to John in the • wilderness. They are separated unto God--John spent his developing years in the wilderness with • God. They identify evil and perceive character--John's counsel to and assessments of • people around him (...offspring of vipers..;...exact no more than appointed...). They proclaim and prepare people to live the will of God--the voice of one crying in • the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." They promote and model repentance--John's message and baptism of repentance. • They are frank and outspoken regarding their strong perceptions-- John's approach to • all. They dramatize their message--John's words, clothing and wilderness setting. • They are effective in impacting people--the multitudes wanted to know what to do to • implement his message. They focus on evidence of repentance--"Bring forth fruit of repentance." • They promote a black and white focus on standards--"Exact no more than • 0appointed." They focus on God's plan--John moved the people toward the coming Christ. • They keenly grasp "heart issues"--"...And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the • trees...." They understand and reveal coming judgment--"...every tree therefore which • bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." He warned of the wrath to come. They are compelled and unafraid to confront leaders--he boldly spoke to tax • collectors, soldiers, religious leaders and Herod. They are uncompromising--John rebuked Herod the tetrarch for his sin and was • willing to suffer prison in spite of his calling to "prepare the way of the Lord."

Key insight#

1. The strength and real authority of this gifting is based on accepting and yielding to the will of God. 2. The perceivers must protect their spiritual sensitivity at all times. They are frequently drawn to occult involvement. They are to abhor evil and cling to that which is good. 3. Perceivers are inspired speakers; warning, exhorting, instructing, judging and making secrets known. 4. They perceive, pray about, proclaim and promote the will of God. 5. They are to love without hypocrisy.

Basic motivations#

A. Those gifted make quick judgments on what they see and hear. B. Those gifted perceive what is right vs. wrong and good vs. evil. C. Those gifted are compelled to bring others to a point of accountability and conviction. D. Those gifted are spokesman for righteous and just causes.

Personality characteristics#

A. Those gifted tend to be decisive, no gray areas, right vs. wrong, appropriate vs. inappropriate. They have extremes in feelings, words and actions. B. Those gifted tend to perceive the character (spirit) of individuals, groups and organizations. C. Perceivers have an openness concerning what they see in themselves and others. They are open to having their blind spots identified. D. Perceivers have a zeal for repentance and its fruit. They are persuasive and seek "brokenness in others" They seem to welcome difficulties that press a person into brokenness. E. Perceivers are willing to suffer for what is right. They are bold. F. Perceivers are not afraid or hesitant to express their thoughts and ideas verbally. They are frank and outspoken. G. Perceivers tend to have only a few or no real close friends. They have a low tolerance from friends who don't live up to "their" standards. They are drawn to being alone with God. H. Perceivers view the Bible as their basis for authority.

I. Perceivers grieve over sin. J. Perceivers tend to verbalize or dramatize what they "see or perceive."

Immature expressions--Misuse#

A. They may assume an unlimited realm of personal responsibility. B. They may make hasty decisions regarding words, actions and motives of others. C. They may look for confirming evidence to support their hasty decisions. D. They may concentrate on pointing out problems and not also working on solutions. E. They may emphasize judging and exposing rather than restoration. F. They may adopt a negative perspective to life. G. They may lack caution and tact in expressing opinions. H. They may look for positive responses to harsh rebukes. I. They may respond with extreme self-criticism and condemnation if they experience personal failure.

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13. Serving#

Serving gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to render practical service to needs in the lives of individuals, families, churches and ministries. It is an ability to see and meet practical needs as quickly as possible, keeping the mechanics of ministry moving. It may be considered the "practical hands" of the Body.

If my primary gifting is Serving#

Your primary gift of serving is an inner prompting to help and quickly meet practical needs in the lives of individuals, families, churches, and/or ministries. You seem to others to possess an almost endless supply of stamina when you have set about to accomplish some practical need. It is particularly fulfilling when your deeds of service relieves and frees others to focus on other matters while you are tending to the practical needs at hand. You tend to function very well as an independent worker and are willing to invest considerable personal time and resources to hasten the completion of tasks or projects you have accepted. You tend to prefer short- range projects, doing as much of the work yourself as possible. You take delight in providing something extra special in tasks you perform. You may now or have previously dealt with a false sense of spiritual inadequacy, due to your focus on meeting practical needs. Meeting practical needs is spiritually motivated for you. When you function in this primary gifting you may be considered practical "hands" and "feet" of the Body of Christ.

Scripture reference#

Romans 12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Greek word and meaning#

diakonia - The office and work of a servant, attendant, minister17 It refers to services that were material, yet still spiritual because prompted by the Spirit and done in it.18 It is an activity of a practical nature exerted in action, not in word.19

A biblical example: Martha (Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-40,#

John 12:2)#

17 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 74. 349. 18 W. Robertson Nicoll, ed. The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by J. Denney (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans), 1988, 690. 19 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 157.

They understand the need for hospitality and meeting practical needs-- Martha • received Jesus into her home when he came to their village. They express love through their practical deeds--Martha showed her love for Jesus • by tending to practical needs of food and lodging. They recognize practical needs--Martha gave attention to the meal needs. • They tend to be whole-hearted in their involvements--Martha was over-extended in • her serving. They tend to be thorough in their involvements--Martha wanted Mary to help with • what was an extensive preparation. They see manual tasks as of critical importance--Martha wanted Mary to join her in • tending to the practical needs. They have an acute sense of timing, the immediate--Martha confronted Jesus on his • timing of coming to help her brother when he was sick. They see the immediate and practical versus the long-term and "spiritual"--Martha • understood the resurrection in terms of the future only.

Key insight#

1. The serving focus is on helping, assisting others through performing practical deeds. 2. Serving effectiveness is dependent upon protecting openness and deference to people. 3. Servers are support people who minister to and/or undergird others. 4. Servers must nurture being: helpful, reliable, sensitive and obedient.

Basic motivations#

A. Those so gifted see and meet practical needs. B. Those so gifted relieve and free others to accomplish different responsibilities. C. Those so gifted fulfill practical needs as quickly as possible. D. Those so gifted typically provide above and beyond what is asked (a willing second mile).

Personality characteristics#

A. They seem to possess a seemingly endless supply of stamina (endurance). They see the importance of manual/practical tasks and focus on their completion. They will freely use personal assets to complete tasks quickly and with minimum hassle. B. They are able to fulfill tasks without dependence on others. They are independent workers. C. They display a wholehearted involvement, willing to inconvenience themselves. They have an intense desire to say "yes" to helping someone with practical tasks. They see requests for help as real needs and tend to feel obligated if asked. D. They are very sensitive to appreciation. Appreciation confirms to the server that their work was necessary. They tend to resist public attention, but appreciate it, even if embarrassed. E. They are alert to the likes and dislikes of others. They have an amazing ability to find out and remember the special interests of people they serve. They delight in remembering. F. They tend to prefer short-range projects. They dislike continuing projects with little visible progress. They are drawn to immediate needs. G. They find it difficult to continue when others are not being freed to accomplish other things. H. A tendency to disregard personal health, comfort and weariness. They dislike "red tape." They seek to avoid delays in tasks they are working on.

Immature expressions--Misuse

A. They may over-extend physical and emotional abilities to help others. B. They may neglect personal--family needs to minister to others They may be persistent in giving unrequested help. C. They may sidestep traditional "red tape" authority to finish tasks more rapidly. D. They may exclude others from helping, almost demanding to do the deeds themselves. E. They may be easily hurt, wounded in spirit. They tend to be shy as children and may remain so as adults. F. They may experience frustration with time limits. G. They may hold a false perspective of spiritual inadequacy.

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14. Teaching#

Teaching gift description, biblical example, motivations, personality, and misuse.

This gift manifests as an inner prompting and ability to evaluate and certify what is truth. It is a motivation to probe--seek answers to questions, clarifying the basis for everything. It is a searching out of facts until convinced that something is true or truth. This motive may be considered the "mind" of the Body of Christ, researching, studying and learning. It manifests as a focus on details, background, accuracy, clearly presenting and helping others understand truth.

If my primary gifting is Teaching#

Your primary gift of teaching is more accurately characterized as a deep motivation to study matters out--to do research. You may or may not enjoy or participate in teaching others. It is natural for you to evaluate, to probe to look up facts, background information, details, or whatever is necessary to research the matter thoroughly. You want to establish what is correct, accurate--to arrive at the truth. You are willing to study, to look up information, to read directions, to do word studies, to gather books and related research materials, to be meticulous and tedious in your approach, to investigate thoroughly until convinced that your conclusions, observations, and/or facts are accurate. As you mature in your walk in Christ, the Scriptures and their accurate interpretation will be of supreme importance to you. You are prone to think and say things like: "Who said that;" "Where is it found?" "How do you know that?" "On what basis to you say that?" "I need to look that up myself!" You prefer logical, systematic study and presentation of information. You tend to be an unresponsive listener, remaining silent and uncommitted until prepared to speak. You are convinced that people must "know the truth and the truth will set them free!" When you function out of this primary gifting, you may be considered "mind" in the Body of Christ, researching, studying, learning and establishing truth.

Scripture reference#

Romans 12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

9

Greek word and meaning#

didasko - It means to give instruction.20

It is aimed at the understanding.21 This word denotes teaching and learning in the wide sense of imparting theoretical and practical knowledge with the highest possible development of the pupil as the goal. It has a strong intellectual and authoritative bearing.22

20 W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Old Tappan: Revell), 111.

21 Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies of the New Testament vol. 3, The Epistles of Paul (Peabody: Hendrickson), 156. 22 Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans), 161.

A biblical example: Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)#

They desire a broad and well-studied background--Apollos was an eloquent, cultured • man who was well versed. Words are very important to them--he was an eloquent man. • They do extensive study in searching out truth--Apollos was mighty, well versed, in • Scripture. They are motivated in their spirit to seek truth--Apollos was fervent in spirit. • They are diligent and accurate in their study topic of focus--Apollos taught of the • things of the Lord that he knew. Their learning results in a boldness to instruct others--Apollos boldly and openly • proclaimed his insight. They are willing to embrace new truth--Apollos received the teaching of Aquila and • Priscilla. They focus on fellow believers--Apollos instructed the believers in Achaia. • They speak convincingly and with conviction--Apollos mightily convinced the Jews • regarding Jesus. They expound the truth of Scripture--Apollos proved by Scripture that Jesus was the • Christ.

Key insight#

1. Teachers must effectively deal with a tendency toward autonomy, argumentative individualism. 2. Teachers must resist the puffed-up pride that knowledge accumulation can bring. 3. Teachers must practice diligence and maintain fervency of spirit. 4. Teachers seek to know truth and fit it into a system or foundation of belief. 5. Teachers value emotional self-control and accuracy of words.

Basic motivations#

A. Those so gifted evaluate and certify truth. They believe truth has intrinsic power to produce change. They are compelled to ferret out truth. B. Those so gifted stress details and accuracy for their subjects of focus. C. Those so gifted desire to present truth in a clear, organized manner.

D. Those so gifted strive to help others understand truth. E. Those so gifted feel compelled to certify others who teach.

Personality characteristics#

A. Those so gifted tend to believe they must function so they and others will stand on "solid ground." They ferret out truth and may be likened to spiritual detectives on occasions. B. Those so gifted delight in thorough research. Nothing is more foundational than studying the Bible. Their study enables them to hold to an authoritative position. C. There is an attraction to sometimes an extensive focus on details, words, facts. They view facts as building blocks. D. There is a tendency to remain silent and uncommitted until enough information is obtained to form an evaluation. They tend to be unresponsive listeners. E. They possess a desire to establish the basis of their authority and evaluate the basis of others. They ask "who, what, where, when, why," plus some. F. There is a tendency to validate new truth by examining it in the light of previously accepted truth. They build precept upon precept. G. There is a desire to examine and present truth in a logical, systematic sequence. They believe truth will prevail. There is a tendency to love outlines. H. Teachers prefer the use of Biblical illustration vs. examples from life. They see the Bible as the ultimate authority. I. Teachers view misuse of Scripture as abuse. They can't stand Scripture taken out of context!

Immature expressions--Misuse A. They may be proud of their knowledge--challenging others with what has been learned. B. They may be slow to accept others, They show a skeptical outlook on others till proven trustworthy. C. They may reject others and/or information solely on the basis of technical errors. D. They may overemphasize facts and details. They may neglect the practical. E. They may escape into a private world of books and study. F. They may fail to be fervent in spirit, but rather be strong in intellect and study. G. They may be easily sidetracked by new interests.

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Appendix A - Local Church Ministry Titles and Descriptions#

Default local church ministry titles and descriptions.

GiftQuest allows you to rename the local church ministry titles to be consistent with the "language" of your church. Below is the listing of the default local church ministries. Each line consists of a ministry identification number, the default ministry title and ministry explanation. See the related section for instructions on customizing church ministry titles.

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Appendix B - Secular Vocations#

Secular vocation listing used by the legacy program.

Below is a listing of the secular vocations that each person is sorted with, based on gift aptitude. Please refer to the related section for information regarding this sort.

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Legacy Index Terms#

Original printed index terms with page numbers removed.

The original manual included a printed index keyed to page numbers. In this responsive edition, those printed page numbers have been removed; use the links and browser search instead.

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