Abuse of Power in the Church—Part I—15 Questions to ask yourself and your colleagues

Very few church leaders actually endeavor to become that headline that defrocks them and leaves carnage in its wake. Instead, decision-by-decision, step-by-step, as power accumulates (and isn’t shared), as congregations desire more to be led than to serve as equals to the pastor, as governing boards abdicate responsibility or have it systematically taken from them, and as leaders begin to believe the “applause” is for them instead of Jesus—power is abused and staff/congregations are left damaged and questioning…and more people leave the church.

What if every church used the following list of questions, regularly asking every member of their staff (paid and unpaid) and leadership team/s to honestly reflect on their own use of power? What if healthy accountability replaced unhealthy worship of a few key leaders?

Questions to ask—quarterly—of all who have power/influence in your church/ministry?

1.    Who is holding you accountable? How honest are you and have you been with that person or team? Are they local and do they “get” your ministry/church culture?

2.    How are your accountability partners helping hold you responsible for your thoughts, actions, and behaviors?

3.    How willing are you to listen to constructive feedback and correction? How receptive would your friends, family, fellow staff members, lay team, and trusted advisers say you are to receiving helpful advice about yourself and your leadership?

4.    Are you hearing a theme in comments, feedback, conversations that you should not continue to dismiss or ignore?

5.    How closely are you walking with Jesus? What are your current practices to keep yourself grounded in Scripture and regularly talking honestly with God (prayer)?

6.    What’s your level of burnout? Are others aware of this?

7.    What does self-care in this season look like for you? Are others aware and able to encourage this?

8.    Is there anything you are currently contemplating that, if acted upon, would put you sideways to the Lord’s mission for you/those you are leading?

9.    Is there anything you are currently doing that, if it became public or became known to your family, would be embarrassing, hurtful, harmful?

10.  Is there something you are doing that is illegal?

11.  Is there something you are doing that is perhaps legal but not ethical?

12.  If your primary job is “equipping” your congregation for “ministry” that the church (Christ’s Body) might be strengthened and everyone grow to “maturity” in Christ—how are you doing this in practical terms?

13.  If you left your job tomorrow, what would be your legacy in terms of ministry/church health, discipleship, and equipping longevity? Would there be negative fallout?

14.  Take stock of the role of pride and ego in your ministry. How might you institute practices and/or accountability that develop humility and humbleness?

15.  What is one thing you will change today as a result of this self-assessment?

In addition, a culture shift to gifts-based every-member ministry (as detailed in 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Romans, 1 Peter) can be hugely healthy and helpful. Check out prior and future Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog entries for much more on this Biblical subject of how to do church.

(For more on gifts, check out the Resources page at GodGiftsYou.com. Take the free assessment and see what gifts God has bestowed on you to contribute to the whole.)

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Catalyst for Equipping at her 1,200 member church since 1999.

Photo (c) Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.