It is also about learning how the church needs to serve its members. Holistic discovery involves a balance between resources and needs. It helps people see their marvelous potential for service without overlooking those difficulties or obstacles that might p revent them from serving. Healthy discovery remembers that while Jesus served without demanding to be served, his life modeled a continual ebb and flow of serving and being served. At the heart of discovery is an intentional conversation that emphasizes listening.
Discovery is labor intensive.
Doing it well requires many people. But effective lay mobilization does not happen without discovery. Discovery creates effective profiles for individuals within the church, and it also develops a continually changing profile for the whole church. Discovery and transformation touch very close to home for me. A number of years ago, I was asked to participate in the development of a spiritual gifts training course for my home church, Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.