From Pew to Purpose: Cultivating Gifts in the Body

What does it really look like to help someone move from sitting in the pew to serving the body? In this episode, Stephanie Prince sits down with Michelle Dyer to talk about identifying gifts and helping people use them well in the life of the church. Michelle makes the case that calling is terrain we have to tread, and that church leaders owe their people more than a vague encouragement to "get out there and serve." They dig into the practical tools, assessments, and coaching relationships that turn good intentions into real engagement, and they share stories of what happens when a leader takes the time to see a gift in someone and call it out.This conversation is part of our month on connections, helping churches build pathways for people to belong, serve, and grow. It's all leading up to the Elevate Church Conference on September 21 and 22, 2026.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why helping people find their gifts changes the culture, passion, and mission of the whole church, not just one volunteer slotWhat happens to a church's vibrancy when people never discover where they're meant to contributeHow to pair the concept of calling (Ephesians 4) with practical tools so people aren't left high and unclearThe four lenses Brentwood Baptist uses to help people explore who they are in Christ: spiritual gifts, personality, passion, and skillsWhy the Discover coach relationship, led by lay leaders rather than staff, is a key piece of the membership processHow clear on-ramps, defined roles, and diligent follow-up move people from interested to involvedWhy training lay leaders to see behind the curtain deepens their own sense of belonging and discipleshipHow intentional leaders spot a gift in someone and shepherd it, and the fifteen-year volunteer story that started with picking up trashWhat an empowered culture looks like when every member is a ministerMeet the GuestsStephanie Prince is the Connections Minister at The Church at Station Hill, where she helps people find their place to belong, serve, and grow. Michele Dyer is the Connections Minister at Brentwood Baptist, where she's spent years developing tools, assessments, and coaching pathways to help members discover how God has wired them to serve.