What role do spiritual gifts play in a Christian nurse's practice? The use of spiritual gifts usually is thought about in the church; however, spiritual gifts also are a necessary element of a vocation or calling.
Philosophy professor Lee Hardy defines vocation as “a call from God to use the gifts that he has given us for the benefit of the human community.” Hardy further encourages Christians to “discover and develop the gifts,” as well as exercise those gifts, “in the service of our neighbor's need”. When we use our spiritual gifts at our workplace, whether in a faith-based or secular institution, we build up the body of Christ and bring glory to God (1 Peter 4:10-11). We also can experience deeper satisfaction, personally and professionally. Researchers have confirmed the presence of spiritual gifts in nurses, finding that nurses working at the bedside score high in serving, mercy, and encouraging (see JCN, 10.1097/cnj.0b013e3182920aa6).
Leadership, teaching, evangelism, serving, and hospitality are some gifts referenced in the Bible (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11). A typical path of discovery of our spiritual gifts may come through a survey or class connected with a local church fellowship. Quick, free online surveys can be found at LifeWay Christian Resources (https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service)
It's important to differentiate spiritual gifts from the roles of the Holy Spirit. All Christians receive the indwelling Holy Spirit: “Repent and be baptized...and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, NIV). The Holy Spirit transforms us into Christ's likeness and produces spiritual fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:16-24).
Every Christian has one or more gifts, yet no one person possesses all the gifts. Theologian Dr. Kenneth Boa helps us to differentiate gifts from fruit: Spiritual gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual fruit is produced from within; spiritual gifts are imparted from without. Fruit relates to Christlike character; gifts relate to Christian service. The fruit of the Spirit, especially love, should be the context for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. Paul made it clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that spiritual gifts without spiritual fruit are worthless. Fruit is eternal, but gifts are temporal (1 Corinthians 13:8); the former is a true measure of spirituality, but the latter is not.
As Christian nurses, we bring our natural talents, education, and experience, coupled with the work of the Holy Spirit, for a unique and powerful ministry in nursing. What might the spiritual gifts look like on a nursing unit?
- Javier brings in homemade soup on Fridays to motivate staff. He may be demonstrating the spiritual gifts of exhortation, shepherding, and hospitality.
- Sheryl recently created a gift basket for a colleague with cancer and is known as the go-to-gal for support. She may be exercising gifts of mercy and service.
- Mark frequently volunteers to precept new graduates and students. He uses teaching, shepherding, and knowledge.
- Rita, chair of the Quality Improvement Committee, developed a new fall prevention program using teaching, knowledge, and administration to organize data, while striving for excellence.
Some gifts, like prophecy and apostleship, aren't as easily applicable to our professional role. We may use one gift as a nurse and another in other areas of our lives. Keep in mind the Holy Spirit is the giver and guides the use of spiritual gifts. We just need to open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit who will lead us in producing fruit and glorifying God within our nursing practice.
Carrie Dameron, MSN, RNBC, CNE, is an associate professor of nursing at Ohlone College in California and involved in Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI).
This post is excerpted Carrie’s 2015 article in JCN.
Find books and Bible studies related to spiritual gifts on the IV Press website.
