Tim

Keller’s List of
Skills, Passions, Talents and Gifts

Dr. Tim Keller once commented that if you lift up the lid of a piano and sing a B-flat notes, only the B-
flat string will vibrate. Why? Because it was built to pick up that wave length; the other strings are
deaf to B-flat. So too, there are needs and activities that we vibrate to
because of the way God has built us.

Read the seven different groups below that relate to skills, talents, and gifts. Try to identify one (or
more) group that you “vibrate” to in interest or experience. Note that our unique design is usually
reflected in a combination of these groups.

Adventuring (def): abilities that use physical strength and dexterity, as well as courage and
boldness, to accomplish tasks some may consider uncertain or risky.

Faith – The God-given ability to believe God for the unlikely.
Cross Cultural – The interest or desire to travel or live in among people different from your
culture of origin. The ability to adapt to another culture.
Evangelism – The desire or interest in sharing the truth of the gospel to people unaware or
resistant to it.
Spontaneous Fun – The ability to delay routine responsibilities and get involved in impromptu
activities designed to develop relationships for Kingdom purposes.
Prayer – The passion to plead to God for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as
it is in heaven. The ability to pray with unusual perseverance with the result that answers to
prayer requests are often experienced, sometimes in remarkable ways.

Artistic (def): creative abilities used to communicate feelings, ideas, concepts and philosophical
perspectives.

Service – The God-given ability to detect and meet needs through various expressions of love and
labor, including musical & creative communications, which is the ability to communicate God’s
truth through a variety of art forms..
Acting – People who enjoy performing on stage or in video productions.
Costuming (Drama) – Those who enjoy developing outfits and accessories for dramatic
productions.
Art – People with the skills and ability to express themselves through drawings, painting and
sculpture.
Crafts – Persons who enjoy leading children in doing crafts either in Sunday school or other
activities.
Building Crafts – People who get a kick out of designing craft projects which can be used by
different age groups in the children’s ministry.
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 Creativity - People who can use their imagination to arrange or bring something about.
Data Base Development– People who understand computing data bases and how to effectively
develop them for use in ministry applications.
Cross Cultural – The interest or desire to travel or live in among people different from your
culture of origin. The ability to adapt to another culture.
Decorating – People with the skills and interests in designing and furnishing rooms or buildings.
Food Preparation – Persons who enjoy planning and preparing food for groups ranging in size
from very small to very large numbers of people.
Spontaneous Fun– The ability to delay routine responsibilities and get involved in impromptu
activities designed to develop relationships for Kingdom purposes.
Gardening and Landscaping– People who enjoy designing, developing and/or maintaining
beautiful grounds by playing in the dirt.
Graphics Design – People who have the skills, ability, and experience to express their artistry
through the use of computer graphics
Audio, Video & Lighting Tech – People with the experience, or desire to learn, in the use of audio,
video and lighting equipment to support our technical team.
Music – Children’s - People with training and skills in vocal and/or instrumental music, to work
with children in order to lead them to worship God and understand His love.
Music – Instrumental - People with training and skills in instrumental music who will use these
skills in musical performance, or train others in developing their instrumental skills, in order to
lead people in the worship God and to understand His love.
Music – Vocal - People with training and skills in vocal performance, who will use these skills, or
train others in the use of their vocal gifts, in order to lead people in the worship God and to
understand His love.
Photography – People who enjoy illuminating God’s creation through the artistic use of the
medium of photography.
Puppeteering – People who enjoy acting through the use of puppets in order to communicate to
children in a fresh and creative manner.
Video Scripting – People who enjoy writing and can help express a concept or idea through word,
audio and video, so that it is a clear expression of the desired message.
Story Boarding – People who enjoy planning by creatively organizing random ideas into coherent
schemes.
Web Site Creation – People who understand computers and the internet, as well as web design
and updating, and desire to promote the Kingdom of God through world class website
development.
Writing – People who express ideas well by composing them in written formats.
Creative/Interpretive Movement –People with training and skills in creative and interpretive
movement, who will use these skills, or train others in the use of their skills, in order to lead in the
worship of God and in understanding His love.
Stage/Set Design - People with the ability and desire to creatively design sets for artistic
productions.
Story Telling – The ability to make stories come alive and real in creative and innovative ways,
particularly for children.

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Influencing (def): abilities used to intentionally and directly motivate people to do or believe
something.

Teaching - The God-given desire and ability to understand, explain and apply God’s Word to the
lives of those listening.
Exhortation – The God-given ability to arouse others to action, causing them to follow a specific
course of action.
Evangelism – The God-given desire and ability to effectively communicate the message of the
gospel of Christ to unbelievers.
Pastor-Teacher – The God-given desire and ability to pastor God’s people primarily through the
proclaiming and teaching God’s Word.
Leadership – The God-given ability to attract, lead and motivate people to accomplish their work
of ministry.
Faith – The God-given ability to believe God for the unlikely.
Business - – People who have background and experience in running managing and leading
business ventures.
Financial Counseling – People who understand financial planning and are able to help others
apply these principles.
Counseling – One who is able to provide advice, opinion or instruction regarding issues, concerns,
or circumstances.
Cross Cultural – The interest or desire to travel or live in among people different from your
culture of origin. The ability to adapt to another culture.
Discipleship – People with a spiritual life product who desire to intentionally impart that product
and are willing to spend enough time doing the right things to make that happen.
Distance Learning – People who know how to design educational initiatives and curriculum for
learning vehicles such as on-line training, as well as video & audio adaptations.
Greeting and Ushering – People who enjoy helping visitors, regular attenders and members
during worship services and other programs by providing friendly service and direction.
Journalism and Reporting – Persons who enjoy gathering, writing, editing and publishing news
and information.
Knowledge – The capacity to gain deep insight into biblical truth by means of careful research and
serious study. The ability to uncover the great principles of God’s Word.
Language The training, skill and/or cultural background to speak one or more languages other
than English.
Public Relations - The skills and ability to promote information and good will that secures public
notice.
Mentoring – One willing to serve as a friend and counselor, guiding others using lessons learned
usually through their own life experience.
Prayer – The passion to plead to God for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as
it is in heaven. The ability to pray with unusual perseverance with the result that answers to
prayer requests are often experienced, sometimes in remarkable ways.
Producing Events – Persons who enjoy organizing and coordinating programs and productions,
helping the people involved fulfill their roles in the accomplishment of the activity.

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 Story Boarding – People who enjoy planning by creatively organizing random ideas into coherent
schemes.
Theology – People who study God’s truth in a systematic way and enjoy applying it to problems or
opportunities.
Writing and Editing - People who express ideas well by composing them in written formats, and
who can help edit material for publication or production.
Volunteer Development – People who enjoy helping others identify their gifts, skills, and
passions, and work with them to find their best niche in ministry.
Small Group Leadership – People who enjoy teaching and leading in a group of three to nine
people, and who want to see these people grow and mature.
Mentor – One willing to serve as a friend and counselor, guiding others using lessons learned
usually through their own life experience.
Recruitment and Mobilization
Coaching - Persons who have skills in a particular sport to teach, encourage, and lead children,
adolescents or adults.
Entrepreneur - People who are energized by casting vision for and starting new ministries or re-
vamping old ones.

Investigating (def): abilities used to experiment and use math, data, formulas and logic to
achieve results.

Administration – The God-given ability to give guidance and direction to the people and affairs of
the church.
Business - – People who have background and experience in running managing and leading
business ventures.
Legal – People with legal training and skills who are willing to use them to serve others.
Medical Skills – People with training and skills in the medical arts and are willing to use them to
serve others.
Financial Counseling – People with training and skills in financial planning who are willing to use
them to serve others.
Computer – People with an understanding of computer hardware and software operations, who
are willing to use these skills to serve others..
Creativity – People who can use their imagination to arrange or bring something about.
Data Base Development – People who understand computing data bases and how to effectively
develop them for use in ministry applications.
Distance Learning – People who know how to design educational initiatives and curriculum
development through distance learning vehicles such as on-line training, as well as video & audio
adaptations.
Journalism and Reporting – Persons who enjoy gathering, writing, editing and publishing news
and information.
Knowledge – The capacity to gain deep insight into biblical truth by means of careful research and
serious study. The ability to uncover the great principles of God’s Word.
Language – The training, skill and/or cultural background to speak one or more languages other
than English.
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 Research – People who enjoy using libraries, the internet, and research methods to uncover
literature, data and information useful for sermon preparation, ministry planning, and program
evaluation.
Theology – People who study God’s truth in a systematic way and enjoy applying it to problems or
opportunities.

Operating (def): the abilities to operate machinery or skilled equipment.

Service – The God-given ability to detect and meet needs through various expressions of love and
labor, including craftsmanship, which is the desire and ability to facilitate the ministry by
constructing the necessary tools for ministry.
Audio, Video & Lighting Tech – People with the experience, or desire to learn, in the use of audio,
video and lighting equipment to support our technical team.
Video Editing - People who enjoy editing video productions in order to express a concept or idea
so that it is a clear expression of the desired message.
Computer – People with an understanding of computer hardware and software operations, who
are willing to use these skills to serve others.
Stage/Set Construction – People with the ability and desire to use tools and building materials to
build visual tools that enhance the message of the Kingdom.
Carpentry – People with the skills of woodworking and cabinet-making who want to invest these
abilities in helping others.
Electrician – People with the skills of planning and wiring electrical systems who want to invest
these abilities in helping others.
Painting – People who enjoy painting and want to use this to help others.
Data Base Development – People who understand computing data bases and how to effectively
develop them for use in ministry applications.
Data Entry – People who desire to serve by entering data and maintaining systems for existing
ministry databases.
Word Processing – People who enjoy keyboarding and are willing to use that skill to support
administrative functions.
Building Crafts – People who get a kick out of designing craft projects which can be used by
different age groups in the children’s ministry.
Food Preparation – Persons who enjoy planning and preparing food for groups ranging in size
from very small to very large numbers of people.
Gardening and Landscaping – People who enjoy designing, developing and/or maintaining
beautiful grounds by playing in the dirt.
Medical Skills – People with training and skills in the medical arts and are willing to use them to
serve others.
Music – People with training and skills in vocal and/or instrumental music, to either work with
groups (children, youth, adults) or use these skills in musical performance, to lead others to
worship God and understand His love.
Photography – People who enjoy illuminating God’s creation through the artistic use of the
medium of photography.

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 Web Site Maintenance – People who understand computers and the internet, as well as web
design, and desire to promote the Kingdom of God through the maintenance of a world class
website.

Organizing (def): abilities to carry out systematic processes, organize details, establish plans,
and arrange schedules.

Administration – The God-given ability to give guidance and direction to the people and affairs of
the church.
Service – The God-given ability to detect and meet needs through various expressions of love and
labor, including hospitality, which is the desire and ability to provide an environment of inclusion
for new and needy people.
Accounting – The knowledge and ability to use generally accepted accounting practices.
Business – People who have background and experience in running managing and leading
business ventures.
Financial Counseling – People who understand financial planning and are able to help others
apply these principles.
Data Base Development – People who understand computing data bases and how to effectively
develop them for use in ministry applications.
Distance Learning – People who know how to design educational initiatives and curriculum for
learning vehicles such as on-line training, as well as video & audio adaptations.
Building Crafts – People who get a kick out of designing craft projects which can be used by
different age groups in the children’s ministry.
Food Management – The ability to plan and oversee food service, including management of
volunteer and paid preparers and servers, for groups ranging in size from very small to very large
numbers of people.
Greeting and Ushering – People who enjoy helping visitors, regular attenders and members
during worship services and other programs by providing friendly service and direction.
Producing Events – Persons who enjoy organizing and coordinating programs and productions,
helping the people involved fulfill their roles in the accomplishment of the activity.
Research – People who enjoy using libraries, the internet, and research methods to uncover
literature, data and information useful for sermon preparation, ministry planning, and program
evaluation.
Scripting (Video) – People who enjoy writing and can help express a concept or idea through
word, audio and video, so that it is a clear expression of the desired message.
Story Boarding – People who enjoy planning by creatively organizing random ideas into coherent
schemes.
Web Site Creation & Maintenance – People who understand computers and the internet, as well
as web design and updating, and desire to promote the Kingdom of God through world class
website development.
Editing – People with grammatical and writing skill who can help edit material for publication or
production.
Librarian – Persons who love books and materials, and enjoy organizing them in such a way as to
make them available to children and adults.
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 Volunteer Scheduling – People who enjoy coordinating tasks and people, planning how to recruit
and organize volunteers to complete projects.
Office Support – People who love to come alongside of ministry and administrative staff,
supporting them in their office functions, so that they can be more efficient and effective.
Mailing Coordination – People who enjoy organizing large mailing projects, using volunteers to
complete the task on schedule.

Social (def): abilities used to encourage, develop, support and help others to be more effective in
their daily lives.

Teaching – The God-given desire and ability to understand, explain and apply God’s Word to the
lives of those listening.
Evangelism – The God-given desire and ability to effectively communicate the message of the
gospel of Christ to unbelievers.
Pastor-Teacher – The God-given desire and ability to pastor God’s people primarily through the
proclaiming and teaching God’s Word
Shepherding (Pastor) – The God-given desire and ability to provide leadership, care and nurture
for individuals or groups of people in the church over an extended period of time.
Mercy – The God-given ability to hurt for those who hurt and to do what is necessary to help
relieve them from their distress.
Service – The God-given ability to detect and meet needs through various expressions of love and
labor, including hospitality, which is the desire and ability to provide an environment of inclusion
for new and needy people.
Hospitality – The ability to welcome individuals or groups into one’s home or place of work in
order to share fellowship, food, or lodging.
Caregiving – People who like to come alongside those who are hurt, confused, or struggling and
support them until they recover and regain strength.
Compassion – Persons who feel deep sympathy for others struck by misfortune, accompanied by
the desire to alleviate the suffering.
Counseling One who is able to provide advice, opinion or instruction regarding issues, concerns,
or circumstances.
Cross Cultural – The interest or desire to travel or live in among people different from your
culture of origin. The ability to adapt to another culture.
Discipleship – People with a spiritual life product who desire to intentionally impart that product
and are willing to spend enough time doing the right things to make that happen.
Distance Learning – People who know how to design educational initiatives and curriculum for
learning vehicles such as on-line training, as well as video & audio adaptations.
Encouragement – Persons who desire to inspire and stimulate others toward belief and
confidence in God and themselves.
Evangelism - The God-given desire and ability to effectively communicate the message of the
gospel of Christ to unbelievers.
Spontaneous Fun – The ability to delay routine responsibilities and get involved in impromptu
activities designed to develop relationships for Kingdom purposes.

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 Greeting and Ushering – People who enjoy helping visitors, regular attenders and members
during worship services and other programs by providing friendly service and direction.
Language - The training, skill and/or cultural background to speak one or more languages other
than English.
Public Relations - The skills and ability to promote information and good will that secures public
notice.
Medical Skills – People with training and skills in the medical arts and are willing to use them to
serve others.
Mentor - – One willing to serve as a friend and counselor, guiding others using lessons learned
usually through their own life experience.
Prayer – The passion to plead to God for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as
it is in heaven. The ability to pray with unusual perseverance with the result that answers to
prayer requests are often experienced, sometimes in remarkable ways.
Writing - People who express ideas well by composing them in written formats.
Telephoning – People who enjoy contacting others by telephone – even people they don’t know –
to solicit information or deliver a message.
Reception/Phone Answering – People who enjoy receiving calls and helping take messages or
direct the caller to the person or location desired.
Sign Language - People with training and skills in sign language, who will use these skills, or train
others in sign language, in order to lead or support ministry to the deaf..
Disabled/Special Education/Special Needs – People with training and skills and/or a deep
concern that children and adults with special needs receive ministry in the church
Food Serving – People who enjoy caring for others by serving them meals.