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July 17, 2007

The Genderless Gifts

by interview with Jill Briscoe

Briscoe_Jillsize.jpgGFL: What do women need to know about preaching or communicating gifts?

Jill Briscoe: I think they need to know everything men need to know. And I think that’s something that needs to be said because there seems to be a growing awareness that women need equipping for the speaking. They need equipping for the speaking skills to use in church and mission, but there are a lot of programs beginning to be crafted for them that don’t start with the communication basics that both men and women need.

And I think what we need to realize is that speaking, teaching, preaching are not gendered gifts. I don’t believe gifts are gendered. Therefore, women need all the training you get in a seminary or other teaching institute.

GFL: How do you know if you or someone else has the gift?

Jill Briscoe: I’m looking for the technical ability to explain yourself. Good communication is explaining yourself well in words. And always it’s a leadership thing.

For example, in my travels as a speaker, when I get off a plane and meet the conference host, I want this person to explain to me what I’m supposed to be doing. I ask these questions: Who is my audience? Who will be in front of me this afternoon? Whom will I be talking to? Now, if she can explain that quickly and succinctly to me, then she’s gifted in communication. If I’m still trying to figure it out at the end of the conference, then she may be in leadership but she doesn’t have a word gift. So with this I’m trying to say, Can this person explain what this is about?

Next, I want to know if she can explain her heart. So the second question I ask is, What is your heart for the meeting? Not your mind for it; not what you want to accomplish on paper. They’ve done this course. They’ve passed the test. But, What do you want to see happen in the leaders that have come? What’s your vision for this?

Then, I listen very carefully, and sometimes I’m just blown away. I think, Oh my word! This woman is so gifted. So she might not be trained, but she gets me excited. And that’s what I look for. Am I now excited? Do I feel this is my vision for the entirety of the conference? Can she sell it to me? Can she get it over to me? If so, that woman has a gift.

This can be an illiterate woman trying to fumble through an interpreter, trying to tell me what her heart is. But if she’s gifted, if God has gifted her, this is wonderful. And the Spirit can use those words to inspire others to come alongside her and help her in her work.

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on July 17, 2007 5:40 PM

Comments

Excellent words by Jill Briscoe. If God has called you to preach--go get the training and education you need. If he has called you he will make a way for it to happen. I'm a living testimony of that for which I give my Lord all the glory for.

Posted By: Rev. Carlene | July 17, 2007 6:17 PM

Thanks Jill. I strongly believe in education and especially for women because it is an important key to their success in ministry. I love being a women in ministry. I am living out my dream right now, but it hasn't come without hard work, dedication, dependence of God and His Word, and a well rounded education at Vanguard University and Fuller Seminary. Thanks for encouraging women to invest in themselves because yes, God's gifts are given to both men and women. A timely and inspiring article.

Posted By: Rev. Ava Oleson | July 17, 2007 7:19 PM

I agree wholeheartedly with the increase awareness of the training need for women in the ministry as a whole. My prayer now is that "we" (male and female) all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That's the main purpose of the genderless gifts.

Posted By: KLCarter | July 18, 2007 12:29 PM

Hear Hear! I heartily agree with your comments Jill. Yes, a women who teaches and preaches the Word needs to know as much as the man who is called to do the same. My call to teach a women's Adult Bible Fellowship class was followed quickly by a call to attend seminary. I believe both calls came from the Lord. It is my passion to clearly explain the Bible to women so they can meet, understand, and have a growing relationship with God. My seminary training (which included courses in how to understand, interpret, and teach/preach the Word) were invaluable. If one cannot attend seminary (due to distance or money constraints) then the one who engages in teaching the Word must work at self-education (with the help of the Holy Spirit). There are plenty of books available and the Holy Spirit is a most wonderful and willing Teacher! I still read and practice and learn as much as I can. Then I depend on the Holy Spirit to use me as his vessel to pour into other women. It is a beautiful thing to participate in this work of God! Thanks, Jill, for your wise words. And blessings on you for your example to us.

Posted By: Lynn | July 20, 2007 2:05 PM

Hello Jill,

Excellent comments and advice. I agree with you that preaching and speaking are not gender-specific; in fact, women seem to have more highly-skilled verbal facility than men when examined for general social, intellectual, and professional functionings, particularly on IQ testings.

Will Munsey
wil_mun@msn.com

I'd Like to add to Lynn's comments if one is not able to attend seminary full-time or able to travel to an institution. Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, at Newburgh, IN offers degrees in theology and biblical studies, at all degree levels, through their Distance Education and Online Programs, which have appropriate accreditation. Check them out: www.trinitysem.edu. And there are unlimited other resources to get further independent training.

Posted By: Will Munsey | July 20, 2007 3:07 PM

I realize this is a hot potato topic in some churches at least in mine,however the emphasis I think should be on teaching sound doctrine.
I'll walk out on a man just as quickly as I would a woman who preaches or teaches abhorrent theology.

Posted By: Cheryl | July 27, 2007 1:53 AM

I realize this is a hot potato topic in some churches at least in mine,however the emphasis I think should be on teaching sound doctrine.
I'll walk out on a man just as quickly as I would a woman who preaches or teaches abhorrent theology.

Posted By: Cheryl | July 27, 2007 1:53 AM

Wonderful Jill!!! I am a corporate trainer and in to this field solely for the purpose of learning how to train CHRISTIAN WOMEN and leaders in their fields of work or calling. Always felt that the secular world always got the best of training, so got the leading from theLord and got into the field of training, learnt all that is needed to be learnt on training and today am equipped to train Christians in the art of communicating and all the other soft skills so essential to make that vital difference in their circles of influence. Am going to be a wee bit selfish and use this space to let readers know that I am available for training women and leaders in areas of soft skills ad leadership. Thankyou

Posted By: Rosy William | August 10, 2007 2:30 AM


Your site is very interesting and useful

Posted By: Grace | September 7, 2007 8:57 PM

Hello Jill,

I've been ordained a minister within my church for a little under two years. I only get teach in front of a congregation one every two months. I struggle with organizing my thoughts to prepare a sermon. I do know the topics that I want to speak on from the Holy Spirit, but draw a blank on the writing part. I plan to enroll in a biblical course soon to further my understanding of the scriptures, but continue to struggle with whether teaching/communicating is my gifting. Any advice from anyone in leadership or who has experienced the same situation would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

Minister Debbie
dathomas62@comcast.net

Posted By: Deb. | September 21, 2007 1:35 PM

Dear Minister Thomas
To outline a sermon, I Title the thought as God leads. Text is the main related scripture passage. Number I is the foundational thought with verse reference. (a.)related thought w/verse.
(b.)extended thought w/verse.
Number II. is next main thought w/verse.
(a.) related thought w/verse.
(b.) extended thought w/verse.
Number III. is next finalhought w/verse.
(a.) related thought w/verse.
(b.) related thought w/verse.
"Final crux of the message and invitation is in order now."
You may expand in any area needed, but, this works well for me most of the time.
May God bless your ministry!

Basic outline:

TITLE

Text:

I. Beginning thought Verse
a. related thought Verse
b. related thought Verse

II. Further thought Verse
a. related thought Verse
b. related thought Verse

III. Final thought Verse
a. related thought Verse
b. related thought Verse

"Summation or crux of the message followed by invitation if appropriate." Prayer if led to by Holy Spirit. Verses are optional at most points.

The anointing is the most important part of the ministry. Prayer and fasting will produce that.

Posted By: Mildred L. Creel | August 30, 2010 9:49 AM

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