Ephesians 4:11-16 English Standard Version
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The gift spoken of yesterday in Kingdom living is shown here but is not what we might see on the surface in the list of the service ministries. It is found in the words in verse 15, grow up into Him. The first gift to the lost is a new home built up by the love that abounds within the body of believers.
The service ministries are to build up the whole body so that the whole body shares the love that permeates in a place of safety, support, encouragement, and love. Love spreads from the top on down and throughout. Christ is the head but His love must reach every member within the body to supply that part which shines within us all.
When seeking a new place of worship, the service gifts should have the effect of providing a safe place for strangers. It should feel like coming home. The abiding love is an abounding love.