Romans 9:1 CEB: “I’m speaking the truth in Christ — I’m not lying, as my conscience assures me with the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 2:10-12 CEB: “God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, including the depths of God. Who knows a person’s depths except their own spirit that lives in them? In the same way, no one has known the depths of God except God’s Spirit. We haven’t received the world’s spirit but God’s Spirit so that we can know the things given to us by God.”

The spiritual gift of discernment empowers you to collect, process and apply your understanding of God’s word and vision for the world to various situations that you face personally and communally. Those with this gift find meaning in being able to lead with informed decision-making that is rooted in how you have understood God’s purposes and presence in your life and in the world as expressed through Scripture and tradition. Truth, consistency and integrity are often central concerns, and this gift helps to provide direction and integrity to all that you do in congregational life and in your personal life.

At its core, discernment is a perceptive gift that especially engages in the gift of critical thought and discretion that humans were imbued with at creation. Those with this gift are passionate about ensuring that all decisions, actions and behaviors that they engage in are spirit-led and Christ-centered to maintain the integrity of systems, communities and their personal life. Those with this gift often speak truth to power and hold institutions, structures and other individuals accountable to consistency with mission, vision, values, ethics, commitments and God’s vision for justice and love in the world. Those with this gift help faith and ministry work feel whole, clear, consistent and honest.

Some ways in which the gift of discernment might show up in your spiritual and communal life:

• Giving feedback on new policies or procedures.
• Serving on a congregation’s vision or mutual ministry team.
• Becoming a coach through ELCA Coaching.
• Affirming others when you notice their gifts for ministry, sharing discernment resources with young (or young at heart!) adults you think should consider rostered ministry in the ELCA.

Looking for more opportunities? We encourage you to reach out to your local synod.

Connect, collaborate and co-create with peers through the ELCA Leadership Network.