On Power

Did you guess the third “big issue’ on the path toward significance was power? When it comes to temptation and personal failure, money, sex and power are the big three.

Here’s what you might not guess:   the biggest of these temptations is power.

Do not underestimate the power that you have as a pastor.  The power you have is independent of the size of your congregation; it comes with your office.

People really listen to you.  People really do what you tell them.  People really entrust their lives and souls to you. 

You are invited into intimate places.  You’re there for weddings, baptisms, confirmations, graduations and funerals.  People share with you their greatest fears and failures.  You see bared souls.  You know your people in a way that no one else does. 

This is powerful stuff. At times you will find this more intoxicating than the most potent liquor. Kids are not the only ones who will think that in your robe you look like Someone Else.

Watch it.

Use this power wisely.

To What End?

Keep in mind that the power that you have must be directed toward drawing people closer to Jesus, not aggrandizing yourself.  It is not about you.

It is good to remember again John the Baptist’s words, “He must increase and I must decrease.”  Jesus cautioned us not to exert our authority over people like the Gentiles did; rather we are to use our authority to serve one another. 

Remember, the position you hold as pastor is for the Kingdom of God and not for the Kingdom of Steve or the Kingdom of Ted!  Whenever you find yourself using your position as pastor for personal advancement, back off.

Checks and Balances

For all the foibles the government of the United States has, the thing that makes it work is a very intentional system of checks and balances.

Make sure that you have people who keep you in check and help you to stay balanced.

• Church Board:  Congregations have different governance systems, but they all have some system.  Insist that the appropriate part of your governance system (Board of Elders, Board of Directors, etc.) works you through an annual personal goal setting and evaluation process.  Insist that they hold you accountable.   The pastor who does not do this is an accident waiting to happen.

• Accountability Group:  Establish a group of people with whom you can have regular conversation about your work.  Pick people who will ask tough questions.  These can be colleagues.  They can be congregants.

• Local Pastors’ Conference:  Don’t miss it.  You need this group.  They need you.  If one doesn’t exist, create it.

• Mentor:  Find someone, not necessarily a pastor, who has a decade or two on you.  Find someone who will challenge you and in whom you can confide.

• Wife, Mother and Daughters:  Listen to the ladies.  If you are being a dope or doing something foolish, they will tell you.  Listen.

Check the Ego

Make sure that you have ways to keep your ego in check.  Practice the following:

• Listen to Lay People:  You’re not the only person who knows things.  What your lay people know and what they can do should keep your ego in check—if you listen.  Although, should they tell you that you are the most wonderful pastor with the best sermons, listen with lots of skepticism.

• Assume You’re Not the First:  If you have a great idea or a great achievement, assume someone else has thought of it before you and done it better.  This is not to belittle yourself, but it will keep you from getting too big for your britches.  The writer of Ecclesiastes says this very thing, “There is nothing new under the Sun.”

• Give Glory to God:  Remember all the really best stuff that you do is from God.  Keep in mind that he works in, through and in spite of you. 

• Balaam’s Ass:  Whenever you think that your ego is getting out of control, check out Numbers 22.

Both God and his people have entrusted great power to you.  Exercise it only as steward and servant.   Direct it toward significance; direct it toward Jesus!