Recovering the Spirit’s Design for a Fully Functioning Church

In this essential message, Bob Gladstone exposes how the modern church has drifted from God’s original blueprint. Instead of a body where every believer functions in the power of the Holy Spirit, many churches have settled into a model where a few people do the ministry and the rest watch. But this is not what Jesus had in mind.

Drawing from Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12, Bob unpacks how the Spirit has given specific gifts to every believer—gifts of prophecy, teaching, encouragement, leadership, healing, generosity, and more—not to be admired from afar, but to be used for the building up of the body. When those gifts are dormant, the church is weak. When they’re active, the body grows into the full measure of Christ.

This message is a clear call to maturity. Bob challenges passive mindsets and reminds us that if the church is going to reflect Jesus to the world, it will require every member functioning, not just a few leaders up front. This isn’t about hype or chasing platform. It’s about faithfully using what the Spirit has given to serve, to build, and to reveal the fullness of Jesus through His people.

If you’ve ever wondered why church feels shallow or disconnected, or if you’ve felt like you have more to offer but don’t know how or where to start the Spirit has already given you what you need. The question is—are you using it?