God didn't design ministry for just the few with seminary degrees. Here at NLCF we teach that every member of our church is a minister. What can I do, you ask? That's what CLASS 301 is all about. Through the SHAPE process, you'll learn how God can use your Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience to minister to others in need.

 First, God gave you a special ability when you started following Him. We call this a spiritual gift. God gives us this gift to build up our church family and reach out to the world with Christ's love.

Second, God gives each of us a unique passion or heartbeat for particular activities, subjects and circumstances. God uses those things we feel deeply about - a fingerprint of sorts - to show us where we can serve without quickly burning out.

Third, you have abilities, given to you before you accepted Christ that God can use. Those abilities - like playing a musical instrument or hitting a golf ball - will help you in ministry.

Fourth, God can use your personality. God can use all of us, whether we're extroverts or introverts or whether we enjoy routine or variety. In fact, for you to minister the way God intends you to, you must use your own unique personality in ministry, not try to hide it.

Finally, God has placed a multitude of experiences in your life to help mold you for ministry. God can use many of the experiences in our background to help heal hurts in our church and in our community.

After you explore your personal SHAPE assessment, we'll ask you to set up an interview with one of our SHAPE discovery guides, who will help you find your place in ministry.