WEBVTT 00:00:16.160 --> 00:00:17.839 Hello team serving teams. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:18.960 How are you guys doing? 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:20.719 I'm missing you guys like crazy. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:23.760 Can't wait to get back together and start serving together. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:32.960 One thing that we do every year that I'm really excited to be a part of this year virtually is our annual team conference. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:40.399 And this year's team conference theme is called No More Answers, and you're probably asking yourself the question, Why No More Answers? 00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:44.320 Well it's actually found in the book of Luke, chapter 17. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:49.280 It says, being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them. 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:58.320 The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, look, here it is, or there, for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:02.399 What Jesus is saying here is I am ultimately the answer. 00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:04.879 And I think it's so powerful for us today. 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:06.879 If you're anything like me, you've got a lot of questions. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:14.560 You got a lot of questions about life, you got a lot of questions about your next step or what you should do, and that's even biblical is to grow in our faith. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:21.200 But at the end of the day, as long as we're looking to Jesus as our ultimate answer, that is where hope is found. 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:29.200 So I hope you enjoyed our first No More Answers team conference breakout session with Pastor Charlie and Nicole DeMonty. 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:37.280 And today they're going to be talking about what your gift is and how you can identify your gift and how you can begin to use your gift. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:41.439 So uh enjoy this breakout session with Pastor Charlie and Nicole. 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:51.280 Pastor Charlie, Pastor Nicole, thank you guys so much for being uh with us today on our first breakout session of the No More Answers team conference. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:52.719 How are you guys doing? 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:54.000 Doing good. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:54.480 Thank you. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:55.359 We're honored to be here. 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:56.079 Yeah, for sure. 00:01:56.239 --> 00:02:02.640 Love love being with uh with all of our family in in Orlando and uh always got a special place in our heart for uh celebration Orlando. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:08.560 So anytime we get a chance to uh be with you guys virtually or in person, uh it's like Nicole's a huge honor. 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:10.560 Uh we love Pastor Keith and Megan so much. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:15.680 So anything we get to do to uh contribute what you guys got going on down there, we're always uh we're always down. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:25.919 Can you guys share like a little bit of the of the backstory of how you got to DC, maybe, or you know, how you came to Celebration Orlando? 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:28.159 Just a little uh uh snippet of that. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:38.719 I I think the the wild thing is like we we actually um were a part of kind of the like the launch nights leading up to the launch of the church. 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:44.000 Um we were very much um you know we were connected in Lakeland at Southeastern University. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:50.400 Um Josh Turner and I had met uh you know years previous before you know planting in Orlando was a thing. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:55.280 And uh so when they were planting a church, um I have family in Orlando, even we were living in Lakeland. 00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:57.680 I was like, man, this would be a great church for them to be connected to. 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:05.280 And so we would kind of drive in, go to the go nights, uh, we'd see some friends, we'd bring some people out from the university, we'd bring our family out. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:11.840 Originally you were doing it more like missional, like, hey, I'm gonna go help support so then my family and friends can go here, right? 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:12.479 Yeah, for sure. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:18.479 Like honestly, we were doing that and and had no thought that that was gonna end up being um our church. 00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:25.759 And so uh we went on launch Sunday uh when Celebration Orlando uh launched, and we went there to support some friends to be a part of it to see it. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:32.560 Um honestly, we felt in our hearts someday um we might plan a church, and so it'd be cool to see what it looks like, you know, to plan a church. 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:38.800 And so um we went and uh there was something that kind of happened in in my heart as we were driving in. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:45.439 Um I just felt like this was supposed to be the church that we went to, and um, it was a simple phrase that the Lord kind of dropped in my heart. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:50.400 Um, because again, we were driving from Lakeland and everybody knows the I-4 traffic, it's it's no kind of joke. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:56.000 Um, and so our our commute was an hour and five minutes each way. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:58.800 Um, and so we did that every Sunday. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:03.919 Um, but I felt like the Lord just simply challenged me with this thought of you drive further for less. 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:11.280 Um, you have no problem driving to the beach, you have no problem driving for dinner or shopping or um to go to Disney or a water park. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:19.199 And um, but why not why not drive um for a church that that can be exactly what your family needs, exactly what we needed. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:21.199 Um, you know, some of you guys know our story. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:31.279 We we had walked through a really difficult season uh in our life, um, losing a child and um didn't really know what we we wanted to do, and we were kind of um just healing. 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:39.279 Yeah, we were broken, we were healing, and um, you know, we had people there that were friends to us and they were kind to us and they they helped put us back together. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:43.839 And honestly, being part of that church put us back together. 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:54.639 Um, being in a Sunday service and seeing people come to faith, worshiping with passion, seeing people genuinely care for one another, like it it was the thing that revived us. 00:04:54.800 --> 00:05:00.480 Being part of a local church um helped put us back together when we were very, very broken. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:10.240 And and so being kind of in the room begins the whole journey of like how we get um you know to to Metro Church to be part of this. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.959 If we're not there, then we're actually not here. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:14.879 And um, yeah, it's wild. 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:23.279 And as as you know, the connection between you know Metro Church and um the celebration church, you know, they're very much um, they've always been connected. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:26.319 We're connected probably even stronger now than we've ever been before. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:30.399 Um, you know, so when we found out about it, uh my name got thrown in there. 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:42.639 Um, you know, when they needed a pastor, they were going through a transition and they needed um they needed pastors, and uh our names got tossed in uh the mix, and you know, we were pleased with our job at South A Southeastern, we really were. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:46.800 And um, but the Lord, the Lord's timing uh was different. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:50.240 And um, we knew it really quickly um that this was God. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:55.920 We knew it really quickly that God was moving, and uh, and so we did our best to just be obedient and follow. 00:05:56.079 --> 00:05:59.199 Um, and so again, it's a it's a it's a long story. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:01.439 That's just that's the shortened version of it. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:13.040 Um being part of that church um connected us in a profound way um so that we would be ready and and be in the right position um for God to lead us to our future. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:32.079 And I think that's a word for anybody listening today, like being part of God's house, being part of a church um absolutely not only transforms your life, not only heals you, but it actually sets you on a course and a trajectory for your life to be realized um through the kingdom's purpose uh and design for your heart. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:34.959 And I don't know if you want to add something to that or we good. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:36.319 I think you summed it up. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:38.079 Yeah, I yeah, that's good. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:07:02.000 Yeah, that's really good to being a part of the local church and it kind of actually segues into what we're talking about today, and we're and we're talking about you know, gifts, like what a lot of people, what's my gifting and and what what has God given me and and how do I use that, not just within the church, but also you know, in the marketplace and and throughout, you know, in my in my home, how do I utilize my gifts well in my home? 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:08.879 And um, so I guess the first place to start is let's talk about uh let's talk about y'all's gifting. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.399 And yes, I just said y'all. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:14.800 Um let's talk about maybe some gifts that that God has given you guys. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:17.839 And and uh yeah, Pastor Nicole, let's start with you. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:21.040 What what are some giftings you think that that God has placed on you? 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:24.560 Uh teaching and hospitality. 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:32.720 And and I think I know we'll probably talk more about this, but I don't think they were gifts that I necessarily uh recognized at first in myself. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.480 Like it's been a it's been a process. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:37.439 Yeah, uh I agree with those two. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:38.079 Oh, thank you. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:38.879 Yeah, agreed. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:43.439 This one's got a bunch. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:43.920 I don't know. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:45.279 We've got a lot to list for this. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:46.480 Yeah, one and a half. 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:49.040 Um I think I think same question for me. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:51.120 I I think teaching is one uh for me. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.720 I think that's probably one we have have together uh in common. 00:07:55.279 --> 00:07:59.519 Um I think leadership uh is a is a gifting that I would have. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:03.439 Um I think that's it. 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:03.920 Yeah. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:05.040 I'll go with those. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:05.680 I'll go with two. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:06.639 I'll go with two. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:08.959 We're two talents. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:10.639 We're two talents each. 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:17.759 Dude, those are great gifts to have, but they could also kind of be a little bit intimidating gifts to have as well, you know. 00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:20.079 Intimidating for who? 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:22.959 Like I think. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.839 Um what do you what do you mean by that, Nate? 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:42.000 I just mean if God if God places on me the gift of leadership, if God places on me the gift of teaching, uh that's intimidating for me because now I have to learn how to steward that correctly and not screw it up, basically. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:49.360 Yeah, no, I see what you're saying, and I I see how it could be perceived as a weight or it could be felt as a wind. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:09:01.679 And so for me, like I've never thought like the gifts that God deposits into us, um, they're they're not a weight on my shoulders, but they are a wind in my sails. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:04.879 Um, in the sense of that, yeah, there's a responsibility to it. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:15.679 I'm not I'm not minimizing that, but I don't ever think that God would deposit giftings in us that He would that He also will not enable us to execute. 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:21.519 I think the burden is when we don't or we try to do it in our own ability. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:25.360 That to me is more of like skills. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:34.240 It I it's my responsibility to develop skills, it's my it's my calling to steward my gifts. 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:35.759 Yeah, that's good. 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:38.639 And uh go ahead. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:46.080 I was just gonna say that I think sometimes maybe um it's all in how you view the gift too, right? 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:51.120 Like teaching and leadership, like yes, you can view it in the sense of like our current role is we're we pastors. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:53.600 So maybe that sometimes sounds intimidating. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:58.080 But when I think of our gift, like for us, it didn't start there, you know what I mean? 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:03.440 And so you mentioned even within the home, I look at my role with my children, like I'm teaching them. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:08.480 So I think sometimes it all depends on how you're you're viewing how you're using your gifts. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:19.679 Sometimes we we take certain gifts and think that's only for like large crowds or large masses or like big stage, and it's like, no, God's really using your gifts first within that smaller circle. 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:30.320 Um, so I think I think that helped me specifically even recognize that I had some of those giftings because if I viewed it in another way, I would have been for sure like, no, I'm out. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:47.360 Yeah, I think I think you said a lot there in terms of if we're not careful, we'll think about our giftings and we go ahead and we stretch it out to the largest platform that that could be displayed on. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:56.000 And so I'm now feeling future pressure in a moment where I'm actually not, I haven't even developed it. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:11:19.919 Like I think, man, there's a there's a lot to that because yeah, we always have these grandiose ideas of what leadership is or what uh hospitality is when it's when it actually should be thought of through the lens of like it's simplicity. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:30.080 Like it's a over time, a lot of simple decisions and small decisions will create a much bigger wave. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:36.320 And so it's it's what we uh it's what we do with those those things, those small moments. 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:43.600 Like you'd be terrible if you only if you only practice hospitality when a guest came over. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:56.240 But like the way in which you serve, the way in which you care for, the way in which you make room, that's actually not a it's not an exercise and entertainment for you. 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:56.720 Right. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.559 It's actually like a posture of your heart. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:02.559 Well and I think that's something that like it starts in your home. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.600 You know what I mean? 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:08.240 Whoever that is, whoever's in your home, like your gifts or for them. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.759 It's good. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:33.440 Yeah, and and kind of to the point of uh what you said earlier about we we just begin to magnify these things on the largest scale, you know, and I think that just kind of goes, it kind of goes with our culture, our current culture, I guess, of you know the the the influencer and the IG famous, all that kind of stuff. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:44.639 So that's a really good idea, is like, hey, my giftings can be you know, walking my kids to school, like how can I how can I teach them in those settings and stuff? 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:45.759 So that's really good. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.000 Um how do you how do you come to recognize those? 00:12:50.159 --> 00:13:00.399 You know, how do you come to recognize your giftings and and what what kind of things do you do to or have you seen been been able to point out the giftings in your life? 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.559 I think we've talked about this before. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:12.320 This is where community helps, because I think sometimes you either think less of yourself or maybe think more of yourself. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:18.960 That's right, and so trusted people in your life can kind of help you see. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:22.399 Yeah, I feel like I think I think this happens more and more. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:26.240 Like everybody's amazing, right? 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.039 Have you have you seen it? 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.639 It's like everybody's the best, everybody's awesome. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:35.200 And I was blessed, I just was raised with some parents that would tell me I wasn't. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:40.399 Like they're like, no, you're not, you're actually okay, you're not the best at that. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:42.639 And and it stings in the moment, right? 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:52.240 It's uncomfortable, you don't want to hear that, but it actually helps like frame you towards the places that you might want to invest your energy on. 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:59.679 Like, it was a good idea for me to not put all my eggs in becoming like a professional golfer basket. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.799 It's a that was a good idea. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.759 That was wisdom. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:04.960 That was wisdom for my parents to be like, hey, you know what? 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.879 You're not that good. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:14.240 Um, you may, you may want to see about this whole following Jesus thing, and that that might be better. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:31.759 I because I think I think we we get we get mixed up, and you hear people say this all the time you gotta follow your dreams, you have to do like I don't mean to be rude, but like stop following your dreams and like follow God's kingdom and let your dreams be about God's kingdom. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:55.919 Um, like that that to me, if we're not careful, we'll take the gifts that God's given us and we get so focused on wanting to monetize them, or we get so focused on wanting to um do them for our own purpose and our own sake, we actually don't it like the gospel's for the sake of others, and so our gifts are for the sake of others, and so like you said, a community is powerful. 00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:12.000 There are times where you get a good glimpse of yourself, but too often the glimpse that we have of ourselves is either overinflated, like you were mentioning, or we we have all this negative um speech and negative voice that's like in our life where we don't even think we have talents. 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:14.960 Like I've met people and I've talked with them, like, oh, I don't I don't have any giftings. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:16.080 And I'm like, that's crazy. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:19.519 Like, of course, I'm around you all the time and I see these things in your life. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:29.840 And there's the beauty of a biblical community where you can look at somebody and go, like, I see, I see the activity of God in your life when you do this. 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:37.120 Those are the points in my life where it became clear what are the the giftings that I would have. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.240 I I'll never forget. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:45.519 I got an email from a professor in college in my undergrad who I respected immensely. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:52.320 And one of our assignments was to was to teach or or that sort of thing, got to teach, you know, for a project. 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:59.679 I'll never forget getting an email from him and him saying to me, Charlie, I believe that you have the gift of teaching. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:04.639 And that that was all that's all I needed to go. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:06.639 I that's I have the gift of teaching. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:10.879 And and that was something that was life shifting for me. 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:20.639 And I can go through a variety of moments where the voice of someone that was in community that I trusted, um, where they were able to say, hey, like I see this in you. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:29.519 And then it was up to me to um consider it, weigh it out, you know, and then to determine, okay, how do I how do I steward this? 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:34.480 And then you also have to kind of put a an order of your gift mix. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:40.000 Like everything that you're somewhat gifted at doesn't get to take top priority. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.879 Right. 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:55.759 Yeah, and and and I guess the the the balance or the hard thing to do is maybe someone pointing out a gifting in you, I think that's when your discernment comes in, like, okay, are they just like my biggest fan? 00:16:56.080 --> 00:17:00.320 Or are they actually like saying, no, you actually have this gift? 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:04.480 You know, how do you how do you I guess discern that the best? 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.960 I think check the scoreboard. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:13.680 I I think do you have, do you have um have you put points on the board in that area? 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:16.559 Like, can you look back and like do you have the receipts? 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.839 Yes, I can look back. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.319 I this has been a consistent basis. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:23.839 So I always tell people this in terms of like hiring staff and things like this. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:28.160 You you always hear people talk about kind of like character, chemistry, competency. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:33.839 Like, there's another one that I add that I think fits into what you're talking about, Nate, is consistency. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:42.079 Like, do you have a track record of consistent performance in this area positive? 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:46.000 Like, if it's a gift, it should be a positive like productivity. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:49.359 And so I want to see in my life where have been the areas. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:53.200 Have I taught someone something and they learned it? 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:55.039 And did it benefit them? 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:58.640 Like have I led things that have been successful? 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.559 Or do I think of myself as a leader? 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:03.599 And but when I look behind me, there's no one following you. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:06.559 So people that think that they're a leader, I simply want to say this to you. 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:11.519 If you, if nobody's following you, you're not leading, you're just taking a walk. 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:12.160 Wow. 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:16.319 Like it seems like then honesty is really the key. 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:26.559 Like you need honest people in your life that are following God, that are being honest with you, and then as well, you taking an honest look, okay, God, reveal to me, is this true? 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:30.160 Is the consistency in my life on both fronts? 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.279 Yep, that's right. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.200 Yeah, that's awesome. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:45.119 And and it's again, it's crucial, I think, to where we are as a society where you know, a like doesn't necessarily mean like go all in on it, you know what I mean? 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:52.400 Or a comment like that was good, like, okay, I'm going all, I'm gonna be a I'm gonna be a recording artist because someone liked my TikTok, you know. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:54.960 So um, I don't even know what a TikTok is. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.079 I think it's something like that. 00:18:56.160 --> 00:19:08.079 But anyways, um, did you guys ever assume that you had uh like a particular gifting and and maybe it it it wasn't a gifting, it was just something like you kind of alluded to golf earlier. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:10.400 Um I mean I'm gifted though, Nate. 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.440 Respect me. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.880 Look, I don't I don't doubt that at all. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.119 I'm just trying to get out of the 90s, okay? 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:28.079 I'll try to uh how how is that process for you of like, okay, maybe I thought this was God, or maybe it was something that deep down I wanted and I kind of played the God card on it. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.839 Like, do you ever experience that at all? 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.599 Ah, are you in German? 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:37.519 I was just gonna say, I don't, I don't think I've assumed that I've had another gift, but I for sure have desired other gifts. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.559 Oh yeah, oh yeah. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:42.240 But I think I look at people all the time and I'm like, eh. 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.319 I want that gift. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.720 Yeah. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.119 Yeah. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:49.039 But I think when it's Caleb, I'm looking at you, bro. 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:49.920 Right. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.359 And Lindsay. 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:53.119 Just want to be truly Caleb, right? 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.160 Well, I was it is kind of true. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.039 I've always wanted to be able to have a gift of worship. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:05.680 I'll I'll I'll use that same that same vein in terms of like a as an example. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:19.200 So there was a time, I think, in early in my ministry career, um, you know, honestly before before we came to celebration in Orlando, um, but in a in a previous season in ministry, um, like I led worship. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.920 It was a thing. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.039 I enjoyed it. 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:23.359 Um, it brings me great joy. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:26.720 Um, other people aren't terrified when I sing, so it's not an awful thing. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:37.839 So, what I'll say is this I think there is some gifting in that area, but it also became very, very clear to me that that is not the primary gift that I need to double down on. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:47.200 Um that that's not the thing that that I'm gonna be known for, that that the Lord's gonna use me um in. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:52.079 It's not to say that I don't love it, it's not to say that I don't even have some proficiency with it. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:58.400 It is to say that that there is a certain saw that you may need to sharpen and you choose not to sharpen that saw. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.279 We talked about that. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:13.440 And we there was a time and there was a season where it was like, hey, I was doing this, but there was another opportunity to then to do this thing here, and it was going to sharpen the shawl of teaching, um, communicating, writing, like all of that sort of stuff. 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:22.799 And we both kind of as I like was talking with you know Nicole, she really helped me say, like, no, I think I think this is the time and a season, and then I was feeling that in my spirit too. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:39.759 So we doubled down on that, and and so again, I think there's some of that, the honesty point to your to your deal, having people and then being able to hear it and not, and I think sometimes we're too sensitive and we we get wounded over honesty. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.119 Here, listen to me. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:48.480 If you have people in your life that are mean to you and and what they say to you always hurts you, like then stop talking to them. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.839 But then they're just mean. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.039 Yeah, then they're just mean. 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:56.400 But like your friends, like a prerequisite of a friend, and I consider I consider Pastor Keith. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:59.759 Pastor Keith is a dear friend, he will be honest with me. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:02.160 He'll be honest when I'm at my best. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:04.640 He'll be honest when I'm not quite on point. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:10.000 Like, you've got to have that, or you're never going to develop anything. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:14.799 You're just you're just going to be the same, but you're going to feel amazing. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:27.519 I would rather be uncomfortable and grow than than be then be stagnant, but not have to deal with that pain of an awkward or a difficult conversation. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:36.000 Like honesty in your relationships are required if the community is going to help you discover and develop your gifts. 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:43.680 I think too, like how we were mentioning before, like sometimes you might desire, you might esteem to a certain gift. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:51.279 Is if you can have that honest conversation with yourself of is this a gift for me or is this a gift for others? 00:22:51.599 --> 00:23:03.200 Because culturally speaking, gifts are for our own benefit, for our pleasure, or you know, it's it's a me sort of deal when God bestows gifts on his children, it's for others. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:08.160 We're supposed to be using it for the benefit of the church, for his people, for his kingdom. 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:14.720 So it's like, yeah, I would love to maybe sometimes have have this gift that maybe uh gets more attention. 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:30.160 It's talked about more, you know, that that kind of stuff, but it really comes back to that that's a me thing, that's a selfish thing where it's you have to look at okay, what God, what is God giving me because it can be used in the service and the benefit of others around me. 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.119 I love that. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:36.160 And so that can maybe help you sometimes figure out like, is this a me thing or is this God's really giving me this? 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.920 Yeah, that's great. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.200 That's awesome. 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:45.119 And uh and I think it it kind of it's that's Christianity right there, you know what I mean? 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:51.440 Like what not necessarily what I can do with myself, but you know, love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:55.279 I mean, using your gifts, that's Christianity 101. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:24:00.799 So, okay, I feel like I discovered my gift, like I've talked to God about it. 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:14.400 You know, how do I begin to to walk that out and how do I begin to utilize that um and discern um the times and places and all that and just develop it in a godly manner? 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:18.880 Yeah, I think you find you have to find places to put it into practice. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.240 You have to you have to do it. 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:30.960 And so so for me, there is a sense where um I don't want to simply have knowledge about about my gifts, I actually want to exercise my gifts. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:38.799 And and and when I look back, what what has made me, I think, a good leader is being willing to help. 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:42.720 And so for me, there's just a desire, I just want to help. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:53.519 So at the at the end of the day, like um when we were even talking about kind of coming up to uh to the church here in DC, that was a phrase that we both used. 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:56.000 We felt like we could help. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:25:04.960 Um, I think back to even, you know, when we were in Celebration Orlando, like I remember asking um different people in leadership, how can we help? 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:06.880 Like, how can how can I help? 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:09.119 How can I help move the ball down the field? 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:15.680 So it's looking for those spots to put those things in practice, but not dictating what that looks like. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:29.119 One of the worst things that can happen is for a person to not see the benefit of growing and maturing their gift over time and they want to fast track it. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:37.519 And more often than not, let's be honest, people have probably had bad experiences where people have exploited and used them for their giftedness. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:50.799 So, again, I think some of this comes down to the you got to make sure you're a part of something that values you as an individual and you as a member of the family of God and not just what you can produce. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:52.960 Uh, and you're in that environment here. 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:55.519 You wouldn't be in a church like this if that wasn't the case. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:58.799 But then you have to, there's gotta be reciprocity in that, right? 00:25:58.880 --> 00:26:05.359 You have to have a place that that appreciates and values you, and then you've got to be willing to just help. 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.880 Um, how can I help? 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:11.680 And so for me, like I remember growing, you know, growing what I felt like was my teaching gift. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:25.200 It didn't happen when I was teaching college, college classes, it happened when I was in a in my local church and I was talking to two or three people, and just in the come in our conversation, I was refining that. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:35.119 And one of the greatest things that I think can happen is where we realize that those small moments that seem to be insignificant are incredible preparation. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:42.240 My best pastoring, teaching, leading doesn't happen on a platform. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:50.720 The all but here's the thing: what the majority of people see is the Instagram picture of me on a platform, right? 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:53.920 So in their mind, they're like, oh, that's what it, it's just not. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:27:04.079 It's after the service, after the sermon, when I'm talking to the family, the couple, um, the person in the in the lobby, not the lobby, but we haven't been to church in two months. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:05.440 I haven't been to the lobby in two months. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:10.640 Um, online, insta video, text message, I don't know. 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.799 Um, Zoom call recorded. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:15.359 Like it, it's it's those moments. 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:18.079 And and I would say again at home too. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:24.400 Like I've seen you in our home, teach me, teach our kids, lead our family. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:26.960 Like, yeah, there's something to be said of it. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.599 That's right. 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:36.799 That small group of people, you know, like you're saying, it's not for it is for the masses, but don't jump to that. 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:38.720 Yeah, faithful and I mean the Bible says it, right? 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:41.519 Faithful and little, then you'll be faithful with much. 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:44.400 We we want much, right? 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.119 Like, like that. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.880 We start like, man, I want much. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:49.920 Because we we feel, because I think this is a good thing. 00:27:50.079 --> 00:28:01.119 You can feel the potential that your gift has, but don't get don't get drunk on the potential that you actually don't put in the work to produce results. 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.480 Yeah, that's really good. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:07.039 And so it is the it is the conversation, it's the how do I move things forward? 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:10.480 Uh, how do I this is a phrase that's in our culture huge right now. 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.759 Thank you, Gary Vee. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:13.759 Add value to people. 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.680 Everybody's like saying that. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:19.359 What how do I help? 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.960 How do I help? 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:23.599 Like that's that's a huge, a huge deal. 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.160 Mr. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:31.920 Rogers' whole situation was on just look for people that are helping, like, and then be one of those people. 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:41.039 And I I think if you'll do that, your gifts will your gifts will mature and they'll grow, they'll develop, they'll take on nuances that you didn't see that they had. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:45.039 I think people think through their giftings and they think job description. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:47.680 And I think that's incredibly limiting. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:52.000 You can't tell me I wasn't a pastor when I was at Southeastern. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.279 You can't tell me that. 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:57.599 Sure, my title was professor, my title was like associate vice president. 00:28:57.759 --> 00:29:09.680 Like, okay, those are my titles, but you can't tell me that the gifting, the shepherding heart, that that pastor gift in me was not on display for the near decade that I was there. 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.880 Absolutely not. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:23.519 And there's no way that without that season, you know, the past three years uh up here in in DC, it wouldn't have, it wouldn't have been matured up here. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:42.000 But in my mind, if I wouldn't have stewarded that season, if we wouldn't have stewarded that season, then then when we get up here for that moment where God says, like, hey, like I have need of it, I need you to to do this, then we're we're not ready because we we hadn't we didn't value the seasons that weren't given a specific title. 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.599 I don't know if that makes sense. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:45.680 Yeah, no, it it definitely does. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:53.200 And and two things that I kind of took away from that is making sure that we're that we're looking at the long haul. 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.160 You know what I mean? 00:29:54.319 --> 00:30:01.440 Like we're not it's not just what how can tomorrow can I get a thousand followers on my new leadership podcast? 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.319 You know what I mean? 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:06.640 Like it's the long haul, it's it's the quote unquote grind. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:20.160 And I think Pastor Nicole, like what you were talking about with the home is it's almost like it's you're surrounding yourself, obviously, with your family and the people that are gonna have a little bit more grace for you while you work that gifting out. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:29.359 And I think what you alluded to early, Pastor Charlie, was you know, the church and the community and and that place being that place for you. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:34.720 So, you know, serving on Sundays isn't just about like let's set up and tear down. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:46.720 It's starting to exercise your gift so that on Monday morning, when you go into work, you kind of exercise that a little bit on Sundays, and now you can learn how to how to actually implement that on Mondays. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:52.240 That's kind of what I'm gathering from from that is the community aspect of it. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:54.319 It's not a it's not just you, you know. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:57.519 Right on, guys. 00:30:57.599 --> 00:31:04.799 Uh that's kind of all the questions I had, but is there anything else, any other encouragement maybe that you that you want to add before we head out? 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.400 I don't think so. 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.799 I'm just happy to see you. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.880 I always got something to say. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.640 Go for it, go for it. 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.759 I'll let you go first. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:23.039 Um, I I want to say this because there's probably some people that have, you know, maybe this desire that's being awakened to them where they're like, man, I I want to be in ministry. 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:26.960 Like I wanna I want to do this, whatever, whatever this is. 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:38.240 And and I just want to say to you, there was a lot of years um before I got to do the thing that I knew was in me from the time I was about 15 to 16 years old. 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:52.880 There was a lot of years of development, serving, um, grinding, hustling, multiple jobs just to create the opportunity to be able to serve at a local church. 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:58.400 Um, and so I I want to encourage you and simply say this don't grow weary and well-doing. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:12.480 Because the reality of this is the kingdom of God that you are building and you are establishing in your city, in your region isn't dependent upon you having a position on some staff somewhere, because right now you are doing that thing. 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:16.319 You don't get to graduate into your giftedness. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:18.960 You're there, you're developing it, you're doing it right now. 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:25.200 Some of the most prophetic moments I've ever had didn't happen at an altar, at a church. 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:39.920 It didn't happen in a in a context of a it happened in an office when I was working at a resort um off near Disney, and and I was able to minister to people just in my daily activity. 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:47.440 I think somewhere we've lost sight of the power that that we have as we're in the community. 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:50.400 And so again, I just want to encourage everybody that's on the team. 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:57.680 Um, some of you I know, some of you I've hadn't got a chance to meet, and I can't wait to be with you guys once all of these restrictions um lift and all that. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:02.480 But man, you're part of a great church and you got great leaders and you got great people around you. 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:14.799 This is the exact moment and exact environment where your gifts can not only be realized, but they can actually be released so that you can continue to do what God has called you to do. 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:19.599 You don't have to wait for a moment or a ceremony or a degree or a certificate. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:23.359 You need to be faithful, and in your faithfulness you'll be fruitful. 00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:28.240 And if you'll do that, then the gifts that God has given you will never feel like a burden. 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:36.880 They will always feel like a blessing, and it'll feel like a wind behind you, pushing you uh into the future that God has designed for you. 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.480 Amen, girl. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.039 Yes. 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.240 That's so good. 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:45.200 Hey, I like to tell people, hey, if you got the Holy Spirit, you know, you're good, you're on the right path, you know what I mean? 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:50.000 And hey, you said it, you said at the beginning, Nate, which is huge, and I think it's a great place to end. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:57.519 At the end of the day, your gifts, your calling, your all that is to point people to Jesus. 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.920 Point people to Jesus, and you'll be fine. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.720 Yeah. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:03.519 Well, guys, thank you again so much. 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:09.920 I know this is gonna be uh huge for our team, and and I just really appreciate you guys coming on and doing this. 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:13.199 And I know you guys got a lot going on in DC, so we'll let you get back to it. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:19.920 But Orlando loves you guys, and uh we pray for pray for you guys, and uh we can't wait to see y'all soon. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.239 Cool. 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:20.880 See you soon. 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.199 Love you. 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.119 All right, bye guys. 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:30.320 Hey, thanks so much for joining us uh for today's breakout session on your gift uh and the gift things that God has given you. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:33.760 We're so thankful to Pastors Charlie and Nicole for being with us. 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:44.559 Uh make sure you tune in next week as we hear from pastors again and in Timberlake from our youth of the location on how do I live like Christ in 2020. 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:46.239 Don't want to keep coming to