Trinity Forum Conversations

Pursuing Humility with Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn

Mar 25, 2025

Richard Foster, a renowned theologian and author of 'Celebration of Discipline,' joins Brenda Quinn, a pastor focused on spiritual formation, to discuss the transformative power of humility. They explore how a self-centered culture often misinterprets humility as weakness, yet it actually embodies strength and freedom. The conversation highlights Jesus as the ultimate model of humility, and how embracing this virtue can enhance joy and foster genuine connections. Through humor and communal pursuits, they present humility as a counter-cultural strength vital for leadership.

36:52

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Episode guests

Brenda Quinn

Richard Foster

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Quick takeaways

Humility enhances leadership effectiveness by fostering collaboration, encouraging diverse perspectives, and promoting a culture of mutual respect within communities.

Embracing humility liberates individuals from self-importance, cultivates joy, and encourages genuine connections and appreciation for others' achievements.

Deep dives

The Significance of Humility in Leadership

Humility is viewed as an essential virtue in leadership, contrasting sharply with the self-promotion often celebrated in modern society. It allows leaders to serve others genuinely, creating an environment where collaboration and shared wisdom take precedence over dominating attitudes. A humble leader listens to diverse perspectives and values the input of the people they lead, fostering mutual respect and understanding. This approach not only enhances decision-making but also cultivates a culture of support and encouragement within the community.

Intro

5min

Exploring Humility in a Self-Centered World

4min

A Biblical Perspective on Humility

5min

The Freedom Found in Humility and Humor

2min

The Strength of Humility

21min

Pursuing Humility, with Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn

Throughout the season of Lent, we're releasing weekly episodes focused on spiritual practices.

In an age when self-promotion is often celebrated as a sign of leadership and strength, humility may seem a lost virtue. In his work Learning Humility, theologian Richard Foster argues that humility is actually strength, releasing us from a preoccupation with self, and allowing us to live a life of freedom:

“One of the dangers among religious folks is that they can become stuffy bores. And it is hilarity that frees us from that. We don't take ourselves so seriously. We can laugh at our own foibles. If you look carefully… it's not hard to identify humble people. You'll find the freedom that they have to just enjoy life and enjoy other people, enjoy the successes of another person rather than being envious of it. Things like that. And so that's why humility, the most basic of the virtues, opens us up to a life of freedom.”

May Foster’s call to humility, and pastor and writer Brenda Quinn’s practical insights on living it out in leadership and community, inspire you this Lenten season to contemplate the humility of Jesus and the way of the cross.

This podcast is an edited version of a conversation recorded in 2022. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn.

Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:

Learning Humility, by Richard Foster

Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster

Streams of Living Water, by Richard Foster

Sanctuary of the Soul, by Richard Foster

The Life With God Bible, contributed to by Richard Foster
C.S. Lewis

Timothy Keller

The Frenzy of Renown

Related Trinity Forum Readings:

The Long Loneliness, by Dorothy Day

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

Who Stands Fast, featuring Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Babette's Feast, by Isak Dinesen

Wrestling with God, by Simone Weil

To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to join the Trinity Forum Society and help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society

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Trinity Forum Conversations

Pursuing Humility with Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Significance of Humility in Leadership

Humility as a Pathway to Freedom

Pursuing Humility in Community

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

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Discover
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Trinity Forum Conversations

Pursuing Humility with Richard Foster and Brenda Quinn

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Significance of Humility in Leadership

Humility as a Pathway to Freedom

Pursuing Humility in Community

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
podcast app

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podcast player

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highlights

Save any
moment

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