We find an interesting pattern to the gifts that are listed in I Corinthians 12:28. This listing of spiritual gifts is apparently a listing that "leaves the laboratory" and goes to an "on the job reality". It is illustrated here that each situation will be unique and so will require a specific combination of "gifted individuals". The first three that are listed are also the first three of the Five Fold Ministry listing.

The first one is the Apostle. The responsibility of the apostle is to lead out into a specific area under God's direction. Normally, this will be a completely new work. This is why Paul, who was an apostle, made the statement that he did not build on another man's work.

Tragically, there have been pastor's who took Paul's statement to mean that they had the Biblical authority to tear down and completely change the way a local ministry to which they were called operated. Unfortunately, they did not unterstand the workings of each of the fivefold ministry gifts.

After the apostle is listed, the next gift given is the prophet. Apostles and prophets normally work well together and complement each other's area of ministry. The job of the prophet is to work with the apostle to further develop the "heavenly vision" for their location of ministry.
The prophet will have the ability to spot flaws or inconsistencies in the apostles' objectives or intentions. Whenever the prophet discerns flaws or inconsistencies, he or she will be quick to point them out. Sometimes an individual will operate in both the Apostalic as well as the Prophetic gifting. Thus, Paul, as a prophet, withstood Peter on one occasion.
It is not unusual for the prophet to shut down an entire project when wrong motivations or attitudes are detected in those involved. Another thing that is closely scrutinized by the prophet is violations of scriptural principles.
One important area of responsibility is to lead out in specific areas that God is directing for their particular work.

The teacher is the third individual listed. The job of the teacher is to discern the truths of God and lead the people in spiritual development.

The remainder of this listing is of ways in which individuals will function in relationship with other believers.

The phrase, "Earnestly desire the best gifts", refers to those gifts that will best meet your needs in your particular ministry. In essence, we are told to "Earnestly desire the gifted individuals through which the most needed gifts will flow". This is in agreement to the statement of Jesus where He told the disciples to "Pray for laborers, for the fields are white unto harvest".