ELISHA'S PROPHETIC MODEL: LESSONS FOR CONTEMPORARY CHURCH LEADERSHIP IN OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE
Keywords:
Prophetic leadership, Elisha, succession, ethics, communal responsibility, Old Testament theologyAbstract
This study examines Elisha’s prophetic ministry within the Elijah–Elisha narrative as a theological and leadership framework for understanding contemporary church leadership within the Ogun Baptist Conference. It asks: What leadership principles can be derived from Elisha’s prophetic model, and how can they inform church leadership practice and understanding in contemporary Baptist contexts? The study adopts a qualitative, desk-based design relying on biblical texts (2 Kings 2–7) and relevant scholarly literature in biblical theology, leadership studies, and African ecclesial research. Thematic analysis is used to examine Elisha’s leadership across five dimensions: succession, transformational intervention, ethical accountability, communal responsibility, and integration of spiritual and practical leadership. The analysis suggests that Elisha’s ministry presents a relational and mentorship-based model of leadership continuity that challenges purely administrative succession systems. It further demonstrates that his leadership is transformational, addressing material and social crises through practical intervention. Ethical integrity emerges as central to prophetic authority, particularly in resisting the commodification of spiritual power. In addition, Elisha’s leadership is shown to be strongly communal in orientation, prioritizing collective restoration over individual benefit, while simultaneously integrating spiritual authority with practical problem-solving. The study concludes that Elisha’s prophetic model offers a coherent framework for evaluating and strengthening church leadership in the Ogun Baptist Conference.References
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