5 Signs Your Church Plant Is Falling Into a Power Trap

The Power Trap

“Am I creating unhealthy power dynamics in my new church?” 

Far too often, within church circles, leadership equals power. Sure, we call it servant leadership or sacrificial leadership, but even when we start with good intentions, the lived experience is painfully different. If the only imagination we have for traditional approaches to leadership is power, then we will inevitably repeat destructive patterns of the past.

As we race to grow our churches and worship services, our “Bigger is better” way of approaching ministry can’t be reconciled with the fact that one leader cannot meaningfully disciple thousands of people. Some churches give power to their key leader at the top of a leadership hierarchy, while other churches, in their aversion to power, buffer leadership so much that it creates a vacuum in which unhealthy culture can fester.

There are many different ways that new churches fall into the trap of power. Some are obvious, while most are undetectable until it’s too late. If you’ve been on the receiving end of any of these power dynamics, you know how un-Christlike it can feel. So how do we break free from the temptation of power and collaborate with God and others in creating different, more Christ-like leadership dynamics?

The Difference between Power and Authority

We need a new imagination. I’m reminded of a scene from The Lord of the Rings in which Frodo offers the elf queen Galadriel the One Ring of power. Hypothetically, she could wield the power of the ring to confront the urgent threat of the enemy. In the film, as she weighs this option, she cries out, “In place of a dark lord, you would have a queen! Not dark, but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!”

Ultimately, she refuses this power that would inevitably corrupt even her noble intentions, saying, “I pass the test. I will diminish and go into the West and remain Galadriel.” 

Mark Charles, a speaker, writer, and consultant who teaches the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and Christendom in order to help forge a path of healing and conciliation for the nation, invites us to understand the difference between power and authority. 

Power is the ability to act, and requires demonstration. For example, the bigger the platform or social follower count, the more powerful the leader. But just as power can be acquired, so can it be lost; this leads to a downward spiral of leadership, where those seeking power need to acquire more of it to protect what they have.

Authority, on the other hand, is the right of jurisdiction, the permission to act. Mark Charles teaches that authority is inherent and does not require demonstration. Although Jesus did not appear to have much “power” by worldly standards—no credentials, financial backing, or massive platform—his life and ministry emanated authority. He taught, spoke, and healed as one who had authority, even as he frequently discouraged others from focusing on the “power” of his miraculous works. 

Are You Falling into the Power Trap? 

Here are a few signs you might be falling into a power trap. Do any of these feel uncomfortably familiar to you? 

• “There’s only one way to do this.” 
• “I have to start this church/ministry/project by this specific date or else…” 
• “This is all up to me. No one else is helping me.” 
• “The most effective way to enact the change I imagine is by gaining the biggest following possible.” 
• “People who push back on my vision drive me nuts!” 
• “My church is really for everyone.”

Perhaps there are small steps you can take to pivot from power to authority. Here are a few signs that you may be operating from a paradigm of authority: 

• You are caring for and listening to your leadership team and culture. 
• You are reflecting theologically with others in context. What is God doing here and how do I participate? 
• You are committed to building authentic and reciprocal relationships.
• People freely offer their input and feedback.

Questions to Consider 

Moving away from patterns of power can be difficult. Sometimes, even our understanding of Jesus is shaped by these ideals of power: Look at how mighty his miracles were! Did you see the size of the crowds following him and how many people he fed at one time? 

The worldly pursuit of power and glory pushes us away from Jesus’ modeling of leadership. Perhaps these reflection questions can help you recalibrate your understanding to move your vision away from ambitious power towards Spirit-filled love: 

• When in your life have you experienced power in leadership? 
• When in your life have you experienced authority in leadership? 
• In your experience, what has been the difference between the two?
• Who is someone that exemplifies authority?

If you recognize power struggles are affecting your church’s journey and are struggling to envision a hopeful path forward, check out the resources in church guide, Going from Nothing to Something, and discover how you can create a healthy, vibrant church culture.