The Five Gifts Podcast

The Five Gifts: Strengths and Shadows, part II

2026-09-21

What happens when a genuine spiritual gift gets ahead of the character of the person carrying it?

What happens when a genuine spiritual gift gets ahead of the character of the person carrying it? In Episode 36 of The Five Gifts Podcast, Bruce Ritter and Charles Russell continue their exploration of the five servant gifts of Christ in Ephesians 4. After exploring the Apostolic and Prophetic gifts in Episode 35, this episode turns to the second arc of the fivefold gifts: the Pastor, Teacher, and Evangelist—the “Stay and Grow” team. These gifts help the Church develop relational health, grow in biblical truth, and maintain a passionate commitment to reaching people with the Gospel. The Pastor — Contagious Unity The pastoral gift carries an overwhelming concern for the continuing care of a particular community. Pastors help people experience the love of Christ through relationship, care, community, and connection. But that strength can cast a shadow when pastoral leaders avoid necessary confrontation, settle for peacekeeping instead of peacemaking, enable dysfunction, or become so focused on caring for the existing congregation that they lose sight of the wider mission. The mature pastor doesn't try to become indispensable. The mature pastor multiplies shepherds. The Teacher — Contagious Learning The teaching gift creates hunger for God's Word and helps people progressively understand and apply truth. But teaching can become information without transformation. A teacher can unintentionally create dependency, separate biblical truth from everyday life, or become consumed with doctrinal minutiae. The mature teacher doesn't simply communicate information. The mature teacher creates learners. The Evangelist — Contagious Compassion The evangelistic gift carries a passionate concern for people who have not yet encountered Jesus. Evangelists keep the Gospel before the Church, build relational bridges, and awaken compassion for those who are far from Christ. But evangelistic strength can become pragmatism, overselling, dependence upon methods, or even a “cult of personality.” A church can become highly effective at gathering people without becoming equally effective at discipling them. The mature evangelist doesn't simply reach people. The mature evangelist equips others to reach people. Throughout the episode, Bruce and Charles return to one central idea: Giftedness and maturity are not the same thing. The question isn't simply: “What is my gift?” The deeper question is: “What kind of person do I need to become so that I can carry that gift well?” Reflective Question What is the greatest strength of your leadership? And what shadow might that strength cast when you're tired, frustrated, insecure, or under pressure? Sometimes the path to greater leadership maturity begins with allowing someone we trust to help us see what we cannot see for ourselves. Like, follow, subscribe, and share The Five Gifts Podcast with another leader. And if you're ready to take a deeper look at your leadership, calling, character, and blind spots, reach out to Bruce or Charles about coaching.

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Filetype: M4A - Size: 41 MB - Duration: 51:33m (106 kbps 48000 Hz)