Podcast Summary: The Wake-Up Call – The Gifts of the Spirit with Jon Thompson
Podcast: The Wake-Up Call
Host: JD Walt (Seedbed)
Guest: Jon Thompson (Sanctus Church, Toronto)
Episode Title: The Gifts of the Spirit – Jon Thompson | Wake Up Call Conversations
Date: February 11, 2026
Episode Overview
This compelling episode features a deep-dive conversation between JD Walt and Jon Thompson on the theology and practical experience of the gifts of the Holy Spirit within the Church. Drawing on Jon's 28 years of ministry at Sanctus Church and his expansive new set of books, the discussion explores how spiritual gifts and disciplines converge, why this is vital for the Church in a post-Christian world, and how every believer—clergy or lay—can live in the power and joy intended by God. The dialogue is continually rooted in Christology—anchoring the gifts in the life and model of Jesus—and rich with practical wisdom for local church contexts.
Key Themes & Insights
1. Jon Thompson’s Background (02:07)
- Senior pastor of Sanctus Church, east Toronto; 28 years at the same church.
- Grew up in Ecuador as a missionary kid—a "third culture kid."
- Has led his church through five major evolutions, now a multi-site, multiethnic community.
- Passionate about global Christianity and contextualizing ministry for post-Christian environments.
2. The Four-Book Project (04:38)
- Convergence: Explores the interplay between spiritual disciplines, spiritual gifts, and revival, rooted in the life of Jesus.
- How to Witness Well: Places the Incarnation at the center of evangelism; highlights the triad gifts (love, word, power).
- Deliverance: Practical and theological reflections on dealing with demonic influences, from 25 years of experience.
- Perseverance: Reflections for leaders on finishing well, addressing a biblical and modern leadership crisis.
"As Eugene Peterson said, [it's] a long obedience in the same direction, I hope." – Jon Thompson (04:38)
3. The Story of Sanctus Church (07:46)
- Planted in 1985 in Toronto's suburbs, evolved into a church of ~4,000 across five locations with 60 represented nations.
- Navigated introducing spiritual gifts in a historically conservative context.
- Toronto context: hyper-diverse, shifting from Christian to post-Christian—and now many non- or pre-Christian communities.
"Toronto is...the most multicultural city in the world. There's a minimum of 150 heart languages spoken every day." – Jon Thompson (08:32)
4. The Problem of Power & the Imitation of Jesus (12:54)
- Christians can neither rely on political/cultural power nor a compromised, nominal Christianity for transformation.
- Foundational Question: Where do Christians of all backgrounds find real power?
- Core discovery: The power comes through the convergence of spiritual disciplines, spiritual gifts, and (sometimes) revival—all modeled in Jesus’s life.
Key Theological Insight:
- Jesus, though always God, chose not to access his divinity during his earthly ministry, relying on the Father and the empowering of the Spirit (John 5:19, John 14:12, Philippians 2).
- This means Jesus is not just our savior and Lord, but our model for living.
- If Jesus needed the Spirit and disciplines, so do we.
"If Jesus didn't do ministry out of his divinity...and we have the same Spirit he has, then we can do greater things." – Jon Thompson (15:30)
Notable Moment:
- Thompson urges his congregation (and broader Church) to see the spiritual life as a communal, not just individual, endeavor:
"It’s a y’all thing. It’s not a you thing. It’s an us and Jesus thing.” (18:27)
- JD Walt echoes:
“It’s the second person plural, million percent.” (18:31)
5. Anchoring Gifts in Christology, not just Pneumatology (21:41)
- Many traditions focus solely on the Spirit (pneumatology) while neglecting Christological grounding; Thompson and Walt insist on rooting the Spirit-filled life in the example of Jesus.
“We need a pneumatology...that is anchored in Christology.” – JD Walt (18:51)
6. The Gifts for All—Not Just ‘Super Christians’ or Clergy (24:19, 26:34)
- Gifts are not reserved for elite leaders. The office of pastor is distinct from the spiritual gift of shepherding.
- Many in church leadership offices may not possess the corresponding spiritual gifting—and vice versa among “laypeople.”
“All Protestants believe in the priesthood of all believers till there’s a crisis, then they want a Catholic priest." – Jon Thompson (28:09)
7. Identifying Your Spiritual Gifts (29:35–36:02)
Jon’s Critique of Spiritual Gift Inventories:
- Tests have four key problems: questionable theology, ignorance of natural/acquired/spiritual gift distinctions, failings in church practice, and relegation to trivial moments.
- Preferred Identification Approach:
Five Step Framework:
- Shared Language: Teach and clarify what each gift is, how it feels, what it looks like.
- Rule of Dots: Notice recurring spiritual patterns ("Why does this always happen to me and not to others?").
- Sanctified Frustration: Where you find anger with church life, you often possess the corresponding spiritual gift.
- Joy (not happiness): Spiritual gifts yield deep, abiding joy and an “ease” in ministry not found in mere natural or acquired talents.
- Confirmation via Testing: Properly designed inventories can confirm, but never determine, your gift mix.
“Where you’re angry at church is usually where you’re spiritually gifted." – Jon Thompson (33:26)
Notable Analogy:
- Using a spiritual gift is “like using a snowblower versus a shovel in a snowstorm.” There’s power, ease, and effectiveness. (34:46)
8. Gifts Versus Character (37:35)
- Gifts are “constitutional”—they are yours for life (Romans 12, 1 Cor 12). They don’t disappear, though they may be suppressed.
- Character (agape love) is the "glove" that safeguards and channels the power of gifts for the good of the Church.
"Agape love is the gloves that allow us to use the electricity [of the gifts] well, long-term." – Jon Thompson (38:02)
9. Spiritual Gifts DNA in the Local Church (43:39)
- Making spiritual gifts central is not idealism—it’s the New Testament norm.
- Sanctus Church embeds gifts/disciplines in volunteer recruitment, staff hiring, strategic planning, and weekly conversation.
"We DNA-ized this to such a degree, it influences even our strategic planning." – Jon Thompson (46:32)
Real-Life Example:
- The church’s multi-site launch decisions, shaped by corporate discernment and promptings received via spiritual gifts, led to wise moves even through the pandemic. (48:02)
“If Jesus only did what his Father told him to do, we should take that seriously…even on a strategic level." – Jon Thompson (47:44)
10. Resources & Next Steps (50:56)
Ways to Engage Further:
- The new, definitive edition of Convergence releases April 14 (2026).
- Sermon Series: 14-week Spiritual Gifts teaching at sanctuschurch.com (under Media).
- Attend the New Room Gathering (April 16–17, 2026 in Franklin, TN): seedbed.com/newroomgathering
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Triumph vs. Loss (11:47)
“That statement by our Lord doesn’t mean that we don’t culturally lose. That statement doesn’t mean we’re not persecuted… How we lose is more important than how we win much of the time.” – Jon Thompson -
On Jesus as Model (20:12)
“The original subtitle of the book was why Jesus is not just Savior and Lord, but model.” – Jon Thompson -
On Gift Discovery (29:35)
“If you ever say, 'I’m just a layperson,' again, we’re done. You’re an unbelievable, inconceivable, unrepeatable miracle of God. That’s what you are. Wake up.” – JD Walt -
On Frustration as Clue to Gifting (33:26) “Every teacher wants more teaching, every prayer person wants a larger prayer meeting...where you’re frustrated tends to be where you’re spiritually gifted."
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Guest Introduction and Ministry Background: 02:07
- Overview of Four-Book Project: 04:38
- Story and Context of Sanctus Church: 07:46
- Theological Discovery: Convergence in Jesus: 12:54–18:51
- Christology and the Holy Spirit: 21:01
- Clergy, Office, and Gifting: 26:34
- Laypeople & Gift Discovery: 29:35
- Framework for Identifying Gifts: 31:37–36:02
- Gifts vs. Character: 37:35–39:23
- Embedding Gifts in Local Church DNA: 43:39
- Real-Time Application—Church Strategy: 48:02
- Accessing Resources/Sermon Series: 50:56
- Closing Encouragement and Recognition: 53:01
Tone & Style
Conversational, transparent, and deeply theological, with a mutual respect between host and guest. Both are passionate about equipping the broader Church—not just leaders—with practical tools, sober-minded expectations, and high Christ-centeredness.
The episode is engaging for all believers who desire to see the gifts of the Spirit come alive—biblically, practically, and with lasting fruit—in their local contexts.
Action Points
- Consider your own gifts: Reflect on recurring patterns (“rule of dots”), areas of sanctified frustration, sources of joy, and feedback from your community.
- Church leaders: Integrate teaching on spiritual gifts and disciplines in your core discipleship and strategic practices.
- Dig deeper: Explore Jon Thompson’s resources and dive into the upcoming book and sermon series.
- Participate: Attend the upcoming New Room Gathering for hands-on teaching and community experience.
For More Information
- Sanctus Church Media (Sermons): sanctuschurch.com/media
- Upcoming Book Release & Events: seedbed.com/newroomgathering
- Listen to more episodes: The Wake-Up Call from Seedbed
“The Spirit always takes you to Jesus, but don’t get stuck with Jesus...he always takes you to the Father.” — Jon Thompson (21:06)