Here is a short list of causes that might help you start to process where God is calling you to engage:

Apostles send and extend. And they will be the most likely candidates to protect that value. The apostles are on the forefront, working on the frontiers and exploring the edges of what is possible. They’re drawn to design, thinking about the overall system, and they have a missional focus. You could describe them as adventurous and futuristic, and when they’re leading from their strength, they are decisive and strategic. They’re concerned about answering the question, “Will this help increase our mission?” They contribute to team environments by laying new foundations, and they are not afraid to push boundaries. When their style is out of balance or immature, they can come across as driven, demanding, and insensitive.

Prophets question and reform. They’re sensitive to God and what’s important to him, they have a love for what is true and right, and they know what needs to be emphasized when it comes time to challenge and confront. The prophet asks questions and can sometimes be a provocateur, deconstructing and critiquing the current systems and structures. Their strength for the movement is their strong intuition of right and wrong. They also have a tolerance for mystery and embracing the unknown. Their leadership style will be demonstrative and motivational. They’re looking to answer the question, “Will this help embody God’s concerns?” They anchor the movement in God’s values and help realign when the team (a church, a group on mission, a work group, a family) is out of sorts. Negatively, this style can tend toward being ideological, shortsighted, and simplistic.

Evangelists recruit and gather. These folks love meeting new people and wooing them into relationship. They’re great communicators and are most often very convincing. In regard to the team, they are relational and communal, with an emphasis on novelty. When leading from their strengths, they are motivational and persuasive. The evangelist is trying to answer the question, “Will this help us bring people to the point of conversion?” They explicitly value the gospel story and have an ability to share that story in everyday ways with everyday language. In a negative light, they may appear to be willing to do anything to make the deal, and they might be seen as not demanding enough.

Shepherds protect and provide. They have a natural instinct to protect the community from danger and provide for its needs, both communally and individually. They’re drawn to nurture the communities they lead and focused on healing and wholeness. Their leadership style is inclusive and collaborative. The shepherd seeks to answer the question, “How will this affect the organization and people in the community?” They contribute to the team by cultivating relationship and integrating people into a socially cohesive network that fosters relational growth. The negative side of the shepherd can manifest as an obsessive need for harmony and an aversion to risk.

Teachers understand and explain. These people find great satisfaction in helping others learn truth and wisdom. They tend to be more philosophical and find it easier to grasp complex systems and truths. They have an ability to help others understand, and they emphasize curiosity and learning. Their leadership style is analytical and prescriptive, and they try to answer the question, “How does this line up with theology and Scripture?” They are natural trainers, good at systematizing and articulating truth. When someone operates out of the shadow side of this gift, they will be ideological, seeking conformity, and they may lack urgency when it is required.