It’s Time to Raise and Position Our Sails!

By Brett D. Heintzman

Sailboats go nowhere if their sails are not raised to catch the wind and positioned to specifically direct them. The wind is always available, but it is the combination of sail and wind that creates motion.

So it is in the church. The wind of the Spirit is blowing, but are our sails raised and positioned? In this article, my hope is to describe what it means to both “raise our sails” and “position” them to catch the wind of the Spirit.

When it comes to the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit, the church has traditionally leaned heavily into the ones that can be done in human strength. Helps, teaching, administration, giving, shepherding, and such can all be done in our strength and ingenuity. However, gifts and ministries like healing, miracles, faith, words of knowledge/wisdom, prophecy, apostleship, evangelism, and tongues all require a supernatural movement that take us both out of our human experience and, for many, out of our comfort zone.

Because the Spirit gives the gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:7–11) many Christians take the position of waiting on the Spirit rather than pursuing particular gifts. Returning to our sailboat analogy, that is like the captain of the boat saying, “If the wind wants the boat to move, it will raise the sail on its own.” At some point, if the boat sails, it will happen because discerning and wise sailors put their hands on the sails and raise them high to catch the wind. We must no longer ascribe to the belief that God will do with us as He pleases while we sit idly by both complacent and sedentary. So, what does it look like for you and me to raise our sails?

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“When we express our desire for spiritual gifts to God, He is eager to respond.”

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We must follow Scripture, which clearly encourages us to “eagerly desire the greater gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1). Friends, it is not only OK but encouraged for us to desire spiritual gifts. While it is true that not every person will receive every gift, it is also true that desiring the gifts is one way to raise our sails to the gushing wind. When we express our desire for spiritual gifts to God, He is eager to respond. Today, many Free Methodists are witnessing an increase in the gifts of God being poured out.

Just this year many annual conference events were themed around “Igniting a Spirit-Fueled Movement.” Our desire is elevated, and our yearning is strengthening. We are raising our sails. Once we raise the sails, the wind will begin to move us, and we must be willing to go where the Spirit takes us … no, more than willing … eager!

One gift that would be ideal to pursue in our times is prophecy. Put simply, prophecy is speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Churches and ministries are seeking direction in our day. How do we discern it? We listen in prayer for the voice of the Spirit and follow. Rather than bringing our plans before the Lord and asking Him, “Lord, bless our plans,” we should come before Him and ask, “Lord, what plans do you want to bless?” There is a distinct difference. This is where positioning our sails comes into play.

To bring our plans and ideas to the Lord — our strategies and blueprints — is fine only to the degree that they align with the desires of our Lord. In addition to prophecy, we need words of knowledge and wisdom. They help us “position our sails” to maximize the impact of the wind. When God told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it” (Acts 8:29), He was giving him specific instructions. Today, you and I can expect to receive specific words from the Lord to guide us in the same way. Words of wisdom and knowledge are positioning words that guide us as the wind carries us.

It is important that we understand the place of every spiritual gift in the kingdom of God if we are to eagerly raise and position our sails. While may Free Methodists embrace all of the gifts, there are many who are still hesitant or even resistant to some of the gifts. Consider the following chart of all the spiritual gifts and their place in the kingdom. Imagine this chart lying flat on a table, not upright, which would indicate hierarchy. All of the gifts are needed and all interplay with the others.

A second way we can position our sails is to lean into the understanding that every gift has a place and every place needs the gifts. We are not cessationists — those who believe the miraculous gifts of the Spirit ceased with the end of the first apostolic era. We believe all of the gifts are needed today. Yet, we must stop functioning as cessationists.

Notice that the gifts fall under the fivefold ministry categories of Apostle (Kingdom Oversight), Prophet (Kingdom Guidance), Evangelist (Kingdom Expansion), Pastor (Kingdom Care), and Teacher (Kingdom Development). Imagine for a moment how powerful a church would be if all the gifts were functioning fully — sails fully raised and positioned for maximum Spirit impact.

Where are you in regard to raising your sails? Where is your church? What next steps can you take to raise your sails and position them in a way that we will truly ignite a Spirit-fueled movement!?

Friends, it’s time to raise and position our sails for the wind.+