Homepage / Academy Catalog / Exploring Your Gifts and Talents
Exploring Your Gifts and Talents
Discover Your Spiritual Strengths and Make a Lasting Impact
About this Course
Exploring Your Gifts and Talents was designed to align our God-given purpose and our natural passions and talents in order to positively impact those around us in fuller and more resonant ways.
What you’ll learn:
Are you ready to bring your unique spiritual gifts and strengths to the surface? Come gain a deeper understanding of who God made you to be, and be emboldened to lean into your talents as you take loving action in your church, community, and world! Join us for this comprehensive and profound on-demand learning experience. We’ll walk alongside you as you explore your spiritual gifts, embrace their significance, and learn to apply them in meaningful and powerful ways.
Frederick Buechner said it best: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” We all yearn to better align our God-given purpose and our natural passions and talents in order to positively impact those around us in fuller and more resonant ways. Through engaging videos, guided reflection, and practical action planning, this course will empower you to do just that! You'll explore the scriptural foundations of spiritual gifts, identify your own singular strengths, follow the thread of the divine call that aligns with your abilities and passions, and craft a personalized action plan to use your gifts for faithful impact in your church setting and community.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.
You are Gifted!
In this module, you will:
- Celebrate that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
- Develop a desire to use your gifts to join God’s work in the world.
Biblical Foundations of Spiritual Gifts
In this module, you will:
- Learn about the Biblical foundation of spiritual gifts.
- Identify the different spiritual gifts.
- Understand ways spiritual gifts can be used in the church.
Identify Your Spiritual Gifts and Strengths
In this module, you will:
- Discover your spiritual gifts.
- Reflect on your strengths and talents.
- Value and appreciate the strengths and spiritual gifts of others.
Discover God’s Calling to Use Your Gifts
In this module, you will:
- Identify your areas of interest.
- Consider how the ways you use your spiritual gifts and strengths can change over a lifetime.
- Discover how others have used their spiritual gifts and leveraged their strengths as disciples.
- Reflect on how God is calling you to use your gifts and strengths.
Use Your Gifts and Talents to Serve
In this module, you will:
- Develop an action plan to engage in new or different ways by sharing your gifts within your church community.
- Identify ways to further develop and apply your spiritual gifts and strengths in the world.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
With Faith+Lead Membership
$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.95 per month
- Modules:
7 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Rebecca Guengerich
Director of Spirituality and Wellness, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Rebecca Guengerich is the Director of Spirituality and Wellness at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. She provides spiritual formation programs and caring ministry for the congregation. Rebecca is an educator and works as a teacher, as a community educator for the March of Dimes, and as a Spiritual Director in the Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Texas. In addition to a BA degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, she has a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Rebecca lived in China for a year and was introduced to the ritual of Tea. Most recently, she started sewing again after a 20-year hiatus, making clothes for her two grandchildren.
Amy Buechler-Steubing
Administrator at the University of Texas in San Antoni
Dr. Amy Buechler-Steubing is an education professional with over 25 years of experience spanning organizational leadership, program development, curriculum and instructional design, and teaching. She is passionate about expanding access to quality education, increasing social and economic mobility for underserved populations, and developing leaders. Amy is currently an administrator at the University of Texas in San Antonio. She was raised in the Lutheran church and has served as a lay leader in several congregations across Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas. Amy enjoys helping others discover their gifts and strengths, mentoring youth, leading women’s groups, and cheering on the San Antonio Spurs with her husband and two children.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in this on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all Faith+Lead’s on-demand courses, plus more with a Faith+Lead Membership.
Enroll in this on-demand course
$55
One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access to 40+ on-demand courses
- Access every live and recorded workshop
Popular
Access this on-demand course
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.99 per month
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access all leaders guides for group study
- Access all course workbooks for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
Need financial support?
Check out the latest released courses
What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at faithlead@luthersem.edu for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!
Contact us
Quick links
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2025 All rights reserved.