
The Five Gifts Podcast exists for Christian Leaders and Christ-followers to rediscover Christ’s presence and activity in their lives and their churches.
Our Hosts:
Charles Russell has served in Pastoral Ministry for 26 years. He is also a Coach and Consultant with Church Life Resources and Nationally Appointed US Missionary serving local churches as a Consultant, Coach, Trainer, and Speaker. He has a Masters in Organizational Leadership. You can contact Charles at charlesrussellmissions@gmail.com.
Bruce Ritter has been a lead Pastor for 27 years and a Spiritual Life and Leadership Coach since 2005. He is also a consultant with Church Life Resources. He has a Masters in Pastoral Ministry and a Doctorate in Evangelism and Discipleship.
Links
When the Gifts Become a Team: The Power of Fivefold Leadership – The Five Gifts Podcast
The Five Servant Gifts of Christ are often discussed as individual callings or leadership functions. But what happens when we move beyond identifying the gifts and begin asking how those gifts function together?
The Five Gifts Podcast is a Christian leadership podcast exploring fivefold ministry, servant leadership, spiritual formation, and biblical leadership for church and marketplace leaders.
In Season 3, Episode 33, Bruce and Charles explore the premise that:
The gifts of Christ only exist in theory and principle until they come into reality through teams.
Jesus Himself modeled this principle. He called the Twelve to be with Him, developed them, and eventually sent them out. His ministry was not designed to end with one leader—it was designed to multiply through people working together.
The conversation explores the complementary contribution of each Fivefold gift:
Apostles build.
Prophets align.
Evangelists mobilize.
Pastors shepherd.
Teachers equip.
Bruce and Charles then examine what makes those gifts function effectively together through the TEAM framework:
Trust. Encouragement. Accountability. Mission.
The episode also explores the environment necessary for healthy Fivefold teams—dependence upon the Holy Spirit, relational safety, clear communication, empowerment, coaching, accountability, innovation, and mission-centered focus.
The Central Challenge
We shouldn't simply ask:
"What is my gift?"
We should also ask:
"Who am I called to serve alongside?"
Because the ultimate purpose of Fivefold ministry isn't to produce five categories of leaders.
It's to help the entire Body of Christ grow into the fullness and maturity of Christ.
- When the Gifts Become a Team: The Power of Fivefold Leadership
- Building the Leadership Pipeline: Finding, Forming, and Releasing the Right People
- The Jesus Process: Seven Leadership Practices of the Five Servant Gifts
- Leading Like Jesus: The Four Oversight Roles of the Five Servant Gifts
- Reduced to Greatness: The Servant Identity of the Five Gifts


