Having been in the church some 20 plus years I find I know less now about what the church needs today than I did when I entered this life.

I find that Christ, apostle Paul and handful of proverbs have had way more understanding about what the church has needed than I ever could. In the beginning I thought I could fix, be innovative, relevant only to find I caused more angst than I did cohesiveness.If there was a call for an irritator I was probably that one. I am not talking about intentionally irritating, though “motive readers” thought that was the case. (Folks, there is a marked difference between the spirit of prophecy and the “spirit of suspicion.”)

In 1998 I preached a message “Every Church Needs An Instigator” perhaps in part to justify my existence.

“The job isn’t to catch up to the status quo; the job is to invent the status quo.” – Seth Godin

Too often well-meaning Christians are seeking to survive rather than thrive. Choosing thermometer-hood rather than thermostat-dom.

These are some guests you will not necessary called by name or a gift called out in a prophetic meeting, but I find they are there and very necessary. Perhaps this will be revealing, a removal of scales over the eyes.

So let’s go.

Sometimes the I’s have it!

Instigator
After my post about “instigators” here were a couple of good responses.
From my friend Steve:
I think they are called exhorters as well..maybe an “exhorting instigator” would be a good defining title.
From my friend David:
One can choose to EXHORT or EXTORT, it’s a matter of where their heart is and their surrender to the Spirit. Sadly, there have been many EXTORTING INSTIGATORS in the church are too few EXHORTING INSTIGATORS.

An instigator is that someone who pushes you, who makes you think. They are the ones who motivate you to get up and go, and try, and make things happen.  In a church you will want to keep this person energized, and enthusiastic. This is the voice of inspiration, of getting people motivated.

What if? Why not? LET’S GO!!!!!!!!

They are often the irritator. Like the sand in an oyster, it is irritation that produces a pearl!

Imposers
What about those people capable of taking the word of truth, the premises of God and imposes the promises of God over a people a region? I am not talking about negative thinking or negative connotations, but the person or people determined to see the will of God come to pass with words and actions.

Imitators
Below are just a few of the scriptures in the New Testament that speak about “imitators” so how do we see that? I submit that it does not mean we copycat Paul or Jesus, but we allow the Christ in us to express Himself through us as our gift and uniqueness have been wired in us.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

Initiators
An initiator is defined as someone who starts a new field. A person who starts it. Gets it going. In our current language often we talk about “fire starters” and those that get something going. I tend to be an initiator. I like to see things started. Caveat-what needs to follow are those capable of building or maintaining what has been started. Hebrews 12:2 talks of the author or initiator of faith.

Innovator
Innovators will often take an old idea and change it. They will breathe life into. They will build on something established. Innovators are agents of change bringing projects to completion. They embrace change and employ creativity.

Inviters
These are the folks that draw people, evangelistically reaching out to others. These folks are great for the growth of a gathering.

Irrigators
Irrigators are the folks that bring the river of God, His refreshing and His goodness everywhere they go. They bubble and laugh and are a joy to be around. The Lord has deepened their streams and they value the joy of the Lord.

Illuminators
These folks carry the light of the world and take scripture and understanding and break it out in such a way that lives are changed. Revelations come and realities established afresh.

Indicators
These folks have the uncanny ability to point out and show folks the way. Even in the midst of much darkness, they bring light into situations, shining His light, pointing out the way to go.

How about a few other gifts not “mentioned” in scriptures? And a couple of other letters? (My parents would tell me to “mind my p’s & q’s.” My response? “What would happen to the rest of the alphabet?”)

Cheerleaders
These are the folks that no matter how you have failed they are cheering you on. They are the ones who encourage you “keep on keeping on. They help pick you up and brush you off when you have fallen. They are the ones who remind you of how good He is to you and how much you mean to Him. Of how important you are to other folks.

Doubters
You might think, “WHAT?” But for me these are the voice of reason. We often call them the devil’s advocate. These are the people who encourage you to rethink or find safer methods. In my early days I hid from them. They drove me crazy. Now I tend to me a little more gracious and a lot more thankful.

Taskmasters
I have a built in task master. This keeps me on track, finishing projects. It is the person who encourage you to get it done and keep you on task.

Connectors
The Lord instructed Ananias to bring or connect Paul to Peter. This person can help you find new avenues and new allies. This person breaks through road blocks and finds ways to make things happen. You need this person to reach people and places you can’t. This is the voice of cooperation and community.

Hidden gifts in the church? Maybe, just maybe.