6. Power Breaker

The Latin meaning of the word power is ‘to be able’. Have you ever considered how much power you have in your role and what you do with it? As Christian leaders, we sometimes don’t want to admit the amount of power we exude because of our titles or influence. We end up getting uncomfortable about the topic. Yet Jesus gave his authority to the Church and imbued her with power by sending the Holy Spirit. Leadership is also a gift from God (Romans 12:86) that inevitably comes with power. Without it, we cannot lead others. It is also true that leadership power can be open to abuse. We thus need to consider the interactions at play where two or more people are gathered. This is known as power dynamics which is neutral but its manifestation can be positive or negative. Having an awareness of these dynamics can help towards achieving unity and parity in our groups. When we give power away as leaders, we not only inspire the community to action but also ensure we remain measured and humble. The Transitional Leader dismantles the towers built over time by being a power breaker. Elevate those with less power around you.

Ideas for Sharing Power

Understanding Power Dynamics

Activity – Reflection questions for the change team

120 minutes

Are there any ‘power towers’ that need to be dismantled?
How can power look more healthy in your worshipping community or organisation?
What could shared leadership or distributed power look like in your community or organisation?

In your team, work on the questions and see where and who the people are that you need to involve and give responsibility to for your change to be a lasting success.

Activity – How can leadership be shared?

60 minutes

There are some activities where leadership can be delegated or shared. Here are some questions to help you think this through:

What decisions can others be involved in making (other than the leader)?
Can you involve some people to help create or shape or validate the vision during the early stages of prophetic discernment? See also Tension Creator and Space Collaborator
Who can you identify as key influencers who will help you cascade the vision for change? See also Change Agitator

Example of measured power:

Parochial Church Council (PCC)

A PCC (or its equivalent) is a democratic body of believers usually appointed to support and make operational and financial decisions on behalf of a church. Depending on your experience as a church leader, PCCs can be a bit like Marmite, you either love them or hate them. But, they are great examples of successfully diffusing sole or concentrated power. If such groups function properly, they can even prevent episodes of toxic leadership in the church.

Power-breaking structures such as the PCC make leaders more accountable and therefore can help temper egos.

Change Resource