7 Gifts and Talents Your Church Needs Now

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In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul says “God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy.”

Most of us have heard or read that passage many times. It’s a beautiful verse that reminds us that we are all valued equally. It reminds us that we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Finally, it reminds us that we all have a place in the Kingdom of God.

But what if we also applied that verse to the ways in which we serve our parishes? What roles do we play in our parish communities? Are we using the distinct, precious gifts that God has given us to enrich the lives of our fellow parishioners and the people who our parishes serve?

We all know that singers and organists have talents that are needed in our churches. After all, the joyful, wondrous noise a talented choir – accompanied by an equally talented organist and music director – makes can be moving and uplifting during the Mass. It’s also a magnificent way to praise God. But it’s not just singers and organists that our churches need. Your church needs you to share your talents as well.

Artistic

While singers have the ability to stir our souls with their renditions of sacred hymns, artists stir our souls in a different way. The images they create on canvas or in murals can help parishioners connect with their faith. But artists can also help their fellow parishioners in another exciting way. They can help them experience prayer through art by teaching them at church workshops and events.

Not only is the sacred, prayer-intensive art of painting icons – which involves praying while painting replicas of sacred art featuring subjects like the Holy Family, the Holy Trinity, saints and angels – finding its way into more Catholic churches, more casual, fun prayer and paint nights have been popping up in parishes recently. Inspired by the popularity of secular paint and sip nights, prayer and paint events are being used to fundraise for church ministries and projects and to allow people to experience their faith in a new way.

Musical

When we think of musicians serving our parishes, we’re likely to think of organists. If we’re thinking of a contemporary Mass geared towards youth and families, we might think of an acoustic guitarist and a drummer as well. But there are special occasions in which other Church-approved musicians are included. And they can become a glorious part of the prayer of praise that Pope Francis spoke about in October 2014.

Pope Francis highlighted the importance of such prayer when he said “When I spoke of the prayer of praise during a homily at Mass in Santa Martha, I said it is not only the prayer of Charismatics but of the entire Church! It is the recognition of the Lordship of God over us and over all creation expressed through dance, music and song.”

But even those musicians who can’t musically take part in the Mass can help their fellow parishioners experience praise through music. Most churches have youth group events, picnics and fundraisers, where a variety of musicians would be appreciated.

Dance

Parishioners who have the ability to dance well would also be welcomed at such events. Catholic mystics, such as St. Theresa of Avila, St. Philip Neri and St. Gerard Majella, along with Biblical figures – such as Abraham’s wife, Sarah – expressed their love of God and joy in His blessings through the art of dance. So, while Catholic churches in western culture are not allowed to include dance in the celebration of the Mass, appropriate forms of dancing could add a lot of energy, joy and fun to a church event.

Dancers can also help their fellow parishioners to enhance their faith. Dancers could ask their pastors if they could perform religious dances at Catholic events outside of Mass. Choreographing and performing a dance based on a psalm, prayer, Biblical event, liturgical season or a Bible verse could move people to worship God more deeply. Dancers could also offer their talent to help teach children at church-run or ecumenical summer Bible schools.

Writing

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Church-run or ecumenical summer Bible schools also need people with writing talent. Many of them might be looking for Christian-themed skits, plays or musicals that the children attending them can perform. The ones that don’t need skits, plays or musicals might be happy to have writers lead the children in completing writing exercises that can help them express their faith.

In addition to summer Bible schools, people who have a gift for writing might lend their talent to their churches’ Sunday bulletins, if they see that there’s a need for their help. Their churches’ websites and social media sites might also need content. For parishes that have milestone anniversaries coming up in the near future, writers could also offer to help create a publication that documents all or some aspect of the history of those parishes. Or they could compile and edit cookbooks filled with recipes from their clergy and fellow parishioners to raise money for their churches’ ministries.

Knitting/Crocheting

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While writers can evoke the feeling of warmth with words, knitters and crocheters can create warmth with knitting needles, crochet hooks and skeins of colorful yarn. For artisans who have a talent for these types of crafts, their parishes’ prayer shawl ministries could use help to bless others. In Catholic churches, people who belong to prayer shawl ministries typically pray over shawls, lap afghans and baby blankets that they make for adults, children and babies who are ill, grieving or going through a stressful time, as well as for those who are celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Marriage.

For churches that don’t have prayer shawl ministries, crocheters and knitters might consider starting ministries. Alternatively, they could make blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves and mittens for homeless shelters, orphanages and food pantries associated with their parishes. If they pray over the items, that would make them even more special to the people who receive them.

Sewing

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In addition to having prayer shawl ministries, many churches now have sewing ministries as well. The ministries generally serve adults and children in need who are living in impoverished countries around the world. Parishioners who have a talent for sewing are needed to help make new, comfortable, stylish clothes for people who don’t have all the basic necessities that many of us take for granted. People who have this gift can make a difference by bringing joy to the poor. They let them know that they haven’t been forgotten, and God will provide.

Churches that don’t have sewing ministries might be open to starting them. If not, people can find other ways to use their sewing talent. For instance, they could make cheerful pillowcases for children who are ill, homeless, orphaned or grieving. They could also volunteer their services to make much-needed alterations or repairs for people in need who are served by their churches’ outreach ministries.

Culinary

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While our churches clearly need artists, crafters, performing artists and writers, they also need people who have culinary talents and skills. And talented cooks and bakers are in high demand by more than one ministry. Not only can people with these underrated gifts bring hope and sustenance, in Jesus’ name, to people who are impoverished, they can comfort the grieving and support other valuable church ministries and service projects.

To begin with, most parishes have what is sometimes referred to as a Marthas and Marys ministry. Members of the ministry prepare food for family and loved ones of a deceased church member after the parishioner’s funeral.

Many churches also have a ministry dedicated to helping the homeless and people who are indigent. Some run soup kitchens or hold monthly community dinners. Others regularly provide full meals to local homeless shelters or soup kitchens. Finally, bakers are frequently needed to help raise money for church service projects and ministries.