As a visitor at a Pentecostal church, I did not expect God to give me a prophetic word for that congregation.

Toward the end of the altar time, however, I strongly sensed the Spirit directing me to go up and quietly tell the pastor I had a message from the Lord. The pastor called for the congregation’s attention and handed me the microphone.

The message challenged the people to seek and obey God and come together in unity. It ended with the hopeful assurance that when they did these things, God would fill them with joy.

Appearing unsure of what to do next, the pastor hesitated for a moment before abruptly starting his sermon. I privately wept in my seat, wondering why the message seemed to drop without fruition.

After the service, the pastor approached me, along with the church’s staff members and deacons. The pastor confessed he had intended to resign that morning. But after hearing the prophetic word, he felt encouraged that God was at work. He then pulled out his resignation letter and tore it up.

This story reminds me we need the gifts of the Spirit in our worship services — and in our lives. But making space for God to speak while maintaining order requires careful, intentional leadership. Following are eight best practices to keep in view.

1. Welcome the Gifts

Scripture tells us to eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1).

When the Lord wants to speak to the congregation through a prophecy or message of tongues with interpretation, we ought not spurn His words (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21).

The pastor was open to the Spirit moving in the service. He was also hungry to hear from the Lord personally. God worked through the pastor’s willingness to listen and respond.

The Lord uses prophecy to guide and direct, exhort, correct, warn, foretell, shift, change, enlighten, encourage, build up, assure, motivate, console, cleanse, confirm, and provide vision and courage. How we need all of this!

2. Use Wisdom

Wisdom must accompany openness (1 Corinthians 14:39–40).

It is fair to wonder about this pastor’s readiness to give me, a virtual stranger, free rein to deliver a prophecy. Without even asking what the message was about, he handed me the microphone.

This is normally a bad idea. It should send up a cautionary flag when an unknown person from outside the congregation wants the platform. The best approach is for prophecy and tongues with interpretation to come from within the local body, from trusted members who have permission to minister freely in a service.

Perhaps my going to this pastor personally helped him feel safe. Or maybe the Spirit spoke to him. Still, the pastor probably should have kept a grip on the microphone. This makes it easier to stop a speaker if needed.

3. Create a Plan

Think through in advance what to do when the verbal gifts of the Spirit are in operation.

Noting that the gifts of the Spirit are scriptural (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:1–11; Ephesians 4:11–13) and explaining their purposes helps those who do not have a Pentecostal background feel more comfortable.

Additionally, it is important to acknowledge the content of the messages in some way. What practical action can people take regarding this word from the Lord? Perhaps God wants you to change the flow of the service or the sermon’s emphasis.

If it is a particularly strong or resonant message, you might suggest it deserves deliberation, prayer, and further consideration in future gatherings.

Any of these would have been a fitting reaction for the pastor in my story.

Don’t be afraid to
allow moments of
silence during your
worship services as
you wait on the Lord
to move.

4. Exercise Discernment

All believers must be discerning when someone is delivering a message. The leader needs to hear the Spirit’s guidance to stop the worship music or any other aspect of a service and allow God to speak or act.

Likewise, those delivering a prophecy, speaking in tongues, or interpreting should remain sensitive to God’s timing and direction. They should honor the leadership in their choices, attitude, and tone, and their words must be in line with Scripture.

Finally, those listening to God’s message should seek to hear and absorb what the Spirit is saying (Matthew 11:15). We all need to hear from God for ourselves and sense what He wants to do among us.

5. Offer Correction

Take action when someone needs correcting (Matthew 24:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).

One night as I was leading a service, I stopped a newcomer who tried to give a word. I simply said I did not sense this word was from the Lord and offered to talk with the individual about it later during the week in my office.

The person stomped out of the sanctuary with a show of haughtiness and never returned — a response that assured me I had discerned correctly.

We can identify false prophets and false teachers from their bad fruit (Matthew 7:16). We owe it to our congregants to protect them from those who might create confusion or cause trouble (Matthew 7:15).

Have discerning ushers nearby who are ready to escort someone out of a service if necessary. Use your leadership authority, trusting the Lord to provide wisdom for each situation.

6. Provide Teaching

Teach the entire church about the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4–31).

Congregants sometimes wonder why God uses the same people to prophesy, speak in tongues, or interpret nearly every Sunday. Understanding what the Bible teaches on the subject may stir them to seek God for these gifts as well.

Every believer should be willing to respond to the Spirit as He leads. No member should be the only one who ever prophesies.

Encourage other Spirit-led expressions as well, including singing in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15).

We can always go deeper and teach more on the nuances of operating in the spiritual gifts so more people will feel comfortable participating.

7. Facilitate Ministry

Gifts of the Spirit are for the benefit of the entire congregation — “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

The Spirit moves on different members of the body of Christ so they can be a conduit for ministry. For example, the person who receives healing is the one who benefits from the gift of healing. The person who prayed simply passed on that gift.

In the same way, prophecy is not just for the one who prophecies, but for the whole body of believers. Therefore, we should not hesitate to step out in faith, or pause a service so the gifts can flow.

8. Encourage Seekers

Regularly provide opportunity and encouragement for those who have not yet received the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 4:31; 11:16).

Additionally, keep encouraging Spirit-filled believers to seek a fresh outpouring.

Prophecy, tongues and interpretation, and other spiritual gifts emanate from people who remain saturated in God’s presence.

Don’t be afraid to allow moments of silence during your worship services as you wait on the Lord to move. Believers must learn to recognize God’s voice and respond.

As you seek God together, He will baptize people in the Spirit, refill, convict, teach, empower, act, and speak.

When we are open and poised to hear from God, yield to His plan, and respond to His Spirit, He will move more powerfully in our worship services to change lives and point people to Jesus.

This article appears in the Winter 2023 issue of Influence magazine.