How to use this booklet

In the “Use Your Talents” Approach, the focus is on the resources that are available in the community. Therefore, many chapters will refer to a story of application in a local congregation. Each congregation should look first at the resources available locally to see how they can contribute. Other chapters will be reflections on biblical texts related to Use Your Talents.

“Use Your Talents” does not have a set plan or method – as the resources available will vary from congregation to congregation and place to place. Thus, these stories and reflections are provided as inspiration and discussion. The key to “Use Your Talents” is to reflect on how each Christian and congregation can use the resources God has given them to work with others in the community. That is why each chapter will have questions for discussion and reflection.

Learning from each other has been a foundational part of the development of “Use Your Talents” from the very beginning. In the first chapter, we will see what we could learn from the Mafo Congregation within the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus – a congregation that has really practiced “Use Your Talents” for many, many years – long before we started to use the concept “Use Your Talents”.

Based on this example from Ethiopia, the first chapters will focus on the biblical basis of “Use Your Talents”. The following chapters contain reflections and different kinds of examples on how people use their talents. It is important to underline that these examples are not exhaustive, but only some examples, but of important issues: fighting against poverty, for human dignity and tackling climate change. Towards the end of the book, there are guidelines that could be used when you take an initiative.

The booklet is meant to be used as a study book and guide within a group or a committee in a congregation who wants to do something for their congregation and their community. It could also be used in other settings. It is important and recommended that you start doing something – even if it is small – early in the process. This is why you could also read the chapter “Use Your Talents – Guidelines” early in the process and also come back to it during the study period.

As you will see, the different texts or articles are written by different authors from different countries around the world. A couple of authors did not want their names published. In 13 chapters there are proposals for reading texts from the Bible, prayers, and questions for discussions. Each text also starts with a question that you could keep in mind during the reading. The editors are responsible for these passages. If you don’t have time for all the sessions, feel free to choose the chapters you find most relevant for you. A concrete suggestion on how to use this booklet within 8-12 sessions can be found on the inside cover page of this booklet. A foundational way of thinking in “Use Your Talents” is that the answer lies within the community; also that the best way to implement this is found in your context. The editors have provided suggestions, but everyone is encouraged to find their own path in implementing “Use Your Talents”, as well as using this booklet.