Godly Phronesis:
It has been quite a while since I have posted to this blog, nonetheless, allow me to summarize my experience in one word: phronesis. The occurrence that brought phronesis to my mind, to the extent of blogging about it publicly, occurred over the past two weeks. While my family and I traveled in Europe as a part of our vacation, viewing sights such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, as well as the Buckingham Palace, there were times-lapses in our vacation schedule that we (adults) wondered how to fill productively. Nonetheless, our 14 year old son offered an exhaustive list of places that he wanted to visit that were not on our collaborative list. As parents, who are the funders of this vacation, we could have said "no," but Godly phronesis led us to say "sure, yes, why not."
Abbey following it's Evensong service (photo above), was quite a majestic view. Despite our child not playing the organ in St. Paul's Cathedral (right photo), we experienced a wonderful organ recital by lead organists of Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. Storee took a picture of its regal organ (below).
.jpg)
In addition, we were able to view the reconstruction work on Notre Dame Cathedral re in Paris (the below right picture). I would be remise if not mentioning the Church of St. Martin's in the Fields (in London), their pulpit that sits in the midst of the pews, whereas the congregation surround's it (picture below right), and the naked picture of a baby (supposedly Jesus) on the outside porch, titled "The Word became flesh and dwelled among us." You will need to visit this place yourself, because I did not include it in this blog for discretionary reasons. The most important thought is that these viewings were all free and thoroughly blessed our entire vacation! We were able to view these additional sights due to God endowing us with a subconscious phronesis to listen in a child-like way to God in a child: phronesis. 
What is phronesis (or Godly phronesis)? According to Aristotle, there are three ways of learning/ thinking (techne, episteme, and phronesis), and the latter is considered as "practical wisdom." I have ascribed this intuition (phronesis) as "Godly wisdom," which is the type of wisdom that God gave Solomon (I Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14), that Solomon tried to give to his son (Prov. 4:3-13), and that we parents try to give to our children to bless their lives.
Personally, while I am so thankful for the formal education that I have been given from professors and learned-pastors, I am eternally grateful for Godly phronesis that was endowed and has grown within me, via the Holy Spirit functioning through people that I love. This "practical way of learning-perception provides an applied-intuition" that prompts us in when to speak, when not to speak, and how to speak, as well as who to speak to, when to lead, when to follow, and when to shun/depart. Without Godly phronesis, unintended catastrophe/harm can occur in times that blessings should be shared. As Christian Leaders, Parents, and Partners, there are times that we must guide/lead, but there are also times that we are partners with our followers and children, whereas we can listen and learn from them. Let us learn the difference and be blessed, as well as become a greater blessing.
#learningleaders, #servantleadership #collaborativeleadership
Dr T L Denson, Sr.
Dr T L Denson, Sr.
