Biblical Phronesis Podcast

Nehemiah 4 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. - NLT The passage of S5E3 (Neh. 4:9-15) shows that steadfastness is vital to defeating problems. Nehemiah never gave in to ridicule, resistance, and rumour. Instead, he relied on God, respected the opposition, reinf...

Nehemiah 2:5 "I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”. - NLT. While a mere cupbearer with little or no position power, Nehemiah made a request to the King of Persia in the above verse. He could dare to make the request because he had a great influence on the King and the people. Episo...

Nehemiah 2 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. - NLT God is in the business of working through His people to accomplish impossible tasks. But without the hand of God on us, progress and success will remain a mirage. This introductory episode to BP season 5 shows rebuilders win the heart before asking for followers' ha...

This season four of biblical phronesis showcases three principal church fathers, Paul, Peter, and Polycarp. The early church fathers started out as sinners with features of entitled leaders we see on and off the pulpit today. However, after their individual encounter with the loving grace of God, they ended up as Engaged Leaders who shaped the church. In this season finale, we address:  “What made...

Polycarp was a bishop in words and deeds. Like John and Paul before him, he left letters to reinforce the early church's faith. His letters relay accounts of courage and character. So, in this episode, we focus on:  “What does the epistle of Polycarp say?” Beloved, the epistle of Polycarp, although not included in the Bible, says a lot about the person and character of a church leader. Polyca...

In ancient times, Christian congregations thrived in modern-day Turkey. Just as the roots of Saul of Tarsus can be traced to Turkey, the same can be done for Polycarp, a foremost Apostolic Father. Polycarp, who lived between 69 and 155AD, showed leadership, courage and confidence until death, like Paul before him. He was instructed by John the Beloved, who was close to Jesus. So, in this episode,...

The leadership profile of Paul, who lived between 5 and 67AD, shows someone who served God and humanity with courage and confidence. The 13 epistles (minus Hebrews) attest to his erudition and care for people. So, in this episode, we focus on: “Who was Paul as a brave/courageous Church Leader?” Beloved, the life of Paul shows us that what we know does not give us confidence and courage. Instead, w...

Paul applied the power of knowledge in his ministry to advocate for outsiders. An advocate is an expert in presenting and arguing on behalf of others. In the case of Paul, he stood for the non-Jews in his time to win them for Jesus Christ. In this episode, we address: "Who was Paul, the advocate for outsiders)?" Paul shows that standing up for outsiders requires courage backup by eruditi...

Saul of Tarsus, that became Paul applied the power of knowledge in his ministry. Paul did so, perhaps because he realized that actions and behaviours follow thoughts. In this episode, we address:  "Who was Paul, the polymath (the educated man)?" Courage set intellectual talents of Paul on fire. Paul was a writer, speaker, scholar, preacher, linguist, teacher, church planter (apostle), an...

In Acts 9:4, Paul encountered Jesus on his way to Damascus. Jesus asked him, why persecute me? Paul, known as Saul of Tarsus until that encounter, had no ready answer. He was caught flat-footed and down and out for some days. So, in this episode, we address:  "Who was Paul when he was down and out in Damascus?" Being 'down and out' is not a leader's end until God says so....

According to 1 Corinthians 15:9, he was the least of the apostles and unfit even to be called one of them. Yet, the NT shows that in spreading the ‘Good News’, he was uncontainable, and when occasions demanded it, he was enthusiastic and generous (2 Corinthians 8:1-15). His teachings and acts show how leaders (Pastors) should care for the flock. In short, in this episode, we focus on:  “Who was Pa...

The leadership profile of Peter, who lived between 1 BC and 64 AD, shows someone who tackled ‘Self’ to serve God and humanity. The four gospels in the NT (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) repeated the name of Peter more than any other person apart from Jesus Christ. So, in this episode, we focus on:  “Who was Peter as a Church Leader?” Beloved, Peter was a church leader who finished well because he...

Leaders, who preach God’s Word, face a higher responsibility and liability since God will judge them on the truthfulness and accuracy of messages (Words and Actions). Failure as a preacher of God’s Word brings shame (2 Tim. 2:15) and other condemnations when Pastors ‘give an account’ to God (Heb. 13:17). This notion was not lost on the early church. So, in this episode, we examine:  “Who was Peter...

The chair of the board (COB) usually holds the most power, influence, and authority among people supervising the activities of a firm. Such a fellow provides leadership to directors, managers, and officers. The COB ensures that duties to stakeholders are fulfilled while acting as the link between the board and top management. Peter fulfilled the COB role within the early apostles, especially among...

In a departure from previous seasons, this Biblical Phronesis will be about people behind events with mandatory lessons for Christian leaders. People: not historical dates are the golden thread of the season that will showcase exemplary leadership in the face of fire. We, therefore, start with:  “Who was Peter as a workingman or who was Peter as a blue-collar church leader?” Beloved, Like Peter, i...

Preamble Confusion, contention, division, and strife are normalized where' self' reign supreme. Self-direction is the antithesis of service powered by love. The central question for the episode is, ‘Who is a self-directed leader?’ A self-directed leader serves 'self' alone. A self-directed leader serves no one. He or she is not humble before God in speech and actions. Such a le...

Preamble An inevitable outcome of a comparison between identity and context is an adjustment. The central question for the episode is ‘How should leadership adjustment be done?’ When a leader is a misfit in a context, such a person must adjust for the greater common good. Adjustment may take the form of how we lead and where we lead. Recognitions Music: Nathaniel Bassey Olive Tree Bible APP - AMPC...

Preamble The comparison between identity and context determines fitness. But when a comparison is undone, people and organizations suffer. The central question for the episode is ‘How should leadership placement be done?’ God is the author of leadership placement. Leaders only expedite it on behalf of our sovereign God. The placement must balance qualification with suitability for effective outcom...

Preamble A leader’s context is mainly the people in the church that a person leads. Some such people will either follow a leader willingly or not. Because of this reality, a situational leader must know his or her context. The central question for the episode is ‘How do leaders know their ministry context?’ Leadership context depends on the nature or quality of followers. Knowing context goes beyo...

Preamble A leader exercises influence in varying situations. Leaders, therefore, need to know what will make them effective in varying contexts. Before knowing the context, the self must be known. The central question for the episode is ‘Who are you as a leader?’ Knowing self as a leader is a step forward in being a situational leader. Knowing self is helped by doctrinal beliefs, core values, lead...

Preamble For leadership to happen, a fellow must lead while another follow. The ability and willingness to follow are paramount. The central question for the episode is ‘What are the stages of follower readiness that a leader must know and consider?’ Leadership does not happen without followers. Personal perception of leaders, their spiritual state (level of maturity) and their sense of self-worth...

Preamble Influence and power walk together. Power can take the form of influence and vice versa. The central question for the episode is ‘What roles do power play in influencing people?’ The exercise of influence and power produces either good or bad outcomes. With influence, personal power can lead to position power. Without influence, position power cannot lead to personal power. Authentic leade...

Preamble A leader who desires to be great adds to God-given capabilities as a profitable servant of the most high God. The central question for the episode is ‘What capabilities should a leader develop to help the work of ministry?’ Wise leaders know that advanced capabilities replace weakness with strength. They, therefore, develop soul work (character), head work (knowledge), handwork (skills) a...

Preamble Capabilities are the tools required to attain high performance in an assignment. The central question for the episode is ‘What makes one a great leader and another an average leader?’ Wise leaders know the tools (natural and spiritual gifts) required to be effective. Servant leaders use their god-given capabilities (talents, passion, and temperament) to advance the great commission. Recog...

Preamble Credibility is vital to leading like Jesus. Without it, trust is lost between peers and teams. People, the flock of Jesus Christ, will not follow a leader without credibility. The central question for the episode is ‘How do leaders develop credibility with their intended followers?’ Credibility rests on godly character, competence, communication, conviction, courage, and care. Servant lea...