The initiation of a spiritual gifts program can bring improved self-esteem and enthusiasm to individuals and to the church as a whole. A good spiritual gifts program helps people more clearly identify the gifts they have been given and the ways that those may be used in the life of the church. This can be a very energizing process for a congregation. There are many excellent spiritual gifts assessment tools including one in the New Life Ministries publication Preaching, Planning, and Plumbing . The church needs to set specific, attainable, measurable goals and work for their completion.
Success nurtures more success.
Rather than taking on all the weaknesses identified for a congregation, identify specific, positive changes which can be made either correcting weaknesses or building on strengths. Improve the quality of care and nurture for existing members both by the pastors and by others. High quality care helps people feel good about the church and also helps them feel good about themselves. In most congregations, this means that both employed staff and volunteers need to be involved in outreach to persons in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as to those who are confined in their own homes or who are dealing with other problems. While the violent crime rate in North America has decreased in recent years, reporting of crime continues to increase.