Show Notes
Church leaders can be described as stewards of the mystery of God and his church. How does this description help leaders in their ministry? In this episode, Adrian Reynolds (Associate National Director) is joined by Colin Smith (Founder and Teaching Pastor of Open the Bible) to discuss the parable of the faithful manager in Luke 12:42-48. This episode was recorded at the 2026 European Leadership Forum where Colin preached from this passage. In this episode, he helps to unpack a little more of the parable and see how it applies - in both its warnings and encouragements - to leaders serving in our churches. Show notes Open the Bible (openthebible.org.uk) About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders. Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. 00:00 - Introducing Colin Smith 03:48 - Church leaders are stewards 07:29 - The parable of the faithful steward 11:03 - The temptation to be harsh 13:43 - The temptation to self-indulgence 17:00 - Stewarding your time 21:16 - Serving food at the proper time 23:49 - Stewarding in the light of the Lord's return 26:43 - Advice for faithful stewards
More from In:Dependence
How do we fix problems of our own making with integrity? How does Old Testament law apply today? Should the UK have a Christian government? In this episode of In:Dependence, Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director) and John Stevens (FIEC National Director) discuss the stories in the news from the past weeks and what lessons church leaders can learn from them.
Pornography can be a struggle for those leading churches as well as those in churches. How can they flee the darkness and live in the light? In this bonus episode, Adrian Reynolds (Associate National Director) is joined by Ian Henderson (The Naked Truth Project) to talk about pornography struggles for church leaders, its impact on ministry effectiveness, and how they can move towards deliverance. About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders. Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. 00:00 - Porn is a struggle for church leaders too 07:44 - Godliness and ministry effectiveness 09:35 - Steps out of the darkness and into the light
Pornography is more accessible than ever, and even in churches it is being consumed on a daily basis. How can church leaders address this issue and pastorally care for those who struggle with it? In this episode of In:Dependence, Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) speaks with Ian Henderson (The Naked Truth Project) about the influence and harms of porn, how it distorts God's good gift for sex, and how church leaders can address the issue and pastor those in their churches who struggle with it. Show notes The Naked Truth Project (The Naked Truth Project) Pornhub’s Annual Report (Fight the New Drug) 25 Porn Addiction Statistics for 2025 (Ecare Behavioural Institute) Over Half of Practising Christians Admit They Use Pornography (Barna)
How should we respond to stories of the abuse of women? What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe about blood? What can we learn from Manchester City FC? In this episode of In:Dependence, Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director), John Stevens (FIEC National Director), Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director), discuss stories in the news and lessons that church leaders can learn. Show notes Leaders' Conference 2026 (FIEC) Church Planting (FIEC) What we know about Cornell University frat house rape investigation (BBC) Domestic abuse resources (FIEC) Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers, Helen Thorne-Allenson (The Good Book Company) The End of an Absolute: Jehovah’s Witnesses Reconsider Blood Product Transfusions (Bioethics Today) Sharing the Gospel with a Jehovah's Witness, Tony Brown (10ofThose) Manchester City guilty charges explained: Premier League's options, how appeal works, more (ESPN)
How many evangelicals are there in the UK? Should we slow down the development of AI? Can anyone simply become independent? In this episode of In:Dependence, Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) and John Stevens (FIEC National Director) discuss stories in the news and lessons we can learn for church leadership. Show notes Planters 2027 conference (FIEC) Church Planting support (FIEC) Understanding UK Evangelicals (EA UK) Anthropic boss Dario Amodei calls for AI development to slow down (BBC) A Christian’s Guide to AI (The Good Book Company) Rising Lights 2027 (Rising Lights) Social Issues Bulletin (Affinity) Village votes to leave UK over asylum housing plan (BBC) The Proclaimers - Knock It Down (Official Video) (YouTube) About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders. Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite. About FIEC: We are a fellowship of Independent churches with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.