The fact is that gifts are better recognized by others than by oneself. When others encourage someone to exercise his gift, he has some assurance that he has a contribution to make, and he will practice and develop in that direction. The frustration of gifts that have been repressed has broken out into a large number of new Protestant movements, which have tended to organize churches according to individuals' gifts. Some consist of members who delight in deep Bible study or in evangelistic activities. Others gather those with the gift of tongues.
Some churches devote themselves to works of mercy or intensive committee administration.
No wonder laymen have found it hard to discover their gifts when faced with the choice of a one-sided but enthusiastic denomination or a church where only the ordained ministry is expected to have any gifts at all. This frustration keeps erupting into new movements organized by laymen where they can channel their energies. Against this fragmentation we must somehow recover the concept of the body of Christ. In every , congregation every gift of the Spirit should be encouraged, and every member should find his place. The risk of mistakes and deviations is serious, but surely it would be better than the certainty of frustrated ineffectiveness.