Biblical Phronesis Podcast

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...

Preamble There are two biblical metaphors used to illustrate godly leadership by our Lord Jesus Christ. One is a servant, and the other is a shepherd. Both metaphors reveal the motive for leading. The motive question is central to leading like Jesus. The central question for the episode is ‘What does servant leadership look like and how would you know a servant leader when you see one?’ Everyone s...

Preamble If we are to become leaders who completely serve as Jesus Christ intended, we must consistently ask what ‘being leaders’ is about today in the Christian fold where monumental failures are the norm instead of the exception. The central question for the season is ‘how does being leaders engender the nature of authentic Christian leadership?’ The season will unpack answers to this central qu...

Preamble Why pay attention to personality? We need to pay attention to it as it influences character, which is foundational in terms of who we are. The central question for the episode is ‘who are the leaders with the distinct (godly) personalities that leaders can emulate?’ Jeremiah, Paul and our Lord Jesus Christ have distinct personalities. Their character helped them overcome difficult people...

Preamble CANOE – Conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience and extraversion – have implications for leadership deployment, training, and development’. The central question for the episode is ‘what are the administrative (service) uses of personality traits for leaders?’ Observing the personality traits of individuals will enhance administration or service in the mission...

Preamble Neurotic leaders are often nervous, worried, emotional, vulnerable, anxious, and hostile. They have ‘low self-esteem’ and ‘low self-efficacy’. The central question for the episode is ‘how does neuroticism predict authentic leadership?’ Number 1 failing of a neurotic leader is that they fear people instead of God. Number 2 failing of a neurotic leader is the refusal to obey divine instruct...

Preamble Leaders low on openness to experience are conservative, narrow-minded and incompetent. They are closed to experience and struggle to see, plan and executive a vision to followers' admiration. The central question for the episode is ‘how does low openness to experience predict authentic leadership?’ Closed to experience always stop leaders from learning, growing, and improving. Leader...

Preamble Leaders high on openness to experience are original, knowledgeable and competent. They are transparent and readers that use their talent for Godly service. The central question for the episode is ‘how does high openness to experience predict authentic leadership?’ High openness to experience enriches authentic leadership. Leaders high on openness to experience cultivate intellectual curio...

Leaders low on conscientiousness are not transparent and have ‘problems with rules’. They view rules and policies as restricting and limiting their interest. The central question for the episode is ‘how do low conscientiousness personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ Leaders that have problems with rules are often low on good conscience. Leaders low on good conscience will often hurt the...