Peter Scazzero

The most painful lessons I’ve learned in 35 years of Christian leadership have involved the exercise of power and having wise boundaries. Navigating the issue of power is a true test of both character and leadership.

We’re more than willing to talk about the abuse of power when news breaks about a scandal in someone else’s life, but the minefields surrounding the use of power are rarely acknowledged, much less openly discussed, in Christian circles. This silence can lead to negative consequences and significant harm, with the potential not only to wipe out a lifetime of good work, but also to undermine our ministries for years to come.

The good news is that no matter where we are in our leadership journey, we can learn to steward power well and to set wise boundaries. I wish there were easy steps I could give you to cover all of the issues you will face. The following, however, are 10 principles that would have served me to avoid many of my biggest mistakes.

Remember that the burden to set boundaries and keep them clear falls on the person with greater power. Even though a person in our ministry may manipulate a situation, the greater burden falls on us.

(1) Do an honest inventory of the power God has granted you.

To be faithful, we need to be profoundly aware of the sources of power God has granted us. We are at risk of using power poorly if we ignore or minimize the extent of our power.

(2) Meet with a mature spiritual companion when you find yourself triggered.

You can expect unresolved family-of-origin dynamics to reassert themselves anytime you have responsibility and power. The workplace and church are key places where our triggers and hot buttons will emerge.

(3) Enlist wise counsel to monitor dual relationships.

Mentors, therapists, elders, church boards and mature friends give us perspective and counsel. It is critical that we know our limits and defer to the discernment of others when dual relationships (e.g., employer and friend) are part of our leadership.

(4) Watch for early warning signs of danger.

People change. We change. The church changes. What works now may not work a few years from now. Have honest conversations with people when your relationship with them experiences tensions and awkwardness. Talk about the risks, drawbacks and challenges before you.

(5) Be sensitive to cultural, ethnic, gender and generational nuances.

The cultural and historical differences around power, authority, age and gender are vast. Be a learner. Ask questions. Your history and experience with power are likely very different than that of other cultures, age groups or even gender. Invite people from the different groups to share their unique perspectives with you.

The good news is that no matter where we are in our leadership journey, we can learn to steward power well and to set wise boundaries.

(6) Release people (paid and volunteer) in a loving way.

This is one of the most difficult tasks for leaders, especially because we represent God and carry a number of different roles with people—such as employer, pastor, spiritual guide or mentor. Be sure to get wise counsel to ensure you use your power fairly, honestly, and in a caring fashion.

(7) Remember that the burden to set boundaries and keep them clear falls on the person with greater power.

Even though a person in our ministry may manipulate a situation, the greater burden falls on us. Why? God has entrusted us with greater power.

(8) Be friends with friends, a pastor to parishioners, a mentor to mentorees, and a supervisor to volunteers/employees.

Monitor and avoid dual relationships (such as friend and employer) as much as possible. Ask yourself: “What role is primary for me in this relationship? Who am I to this person? Who is this person to me?”

(9) Meditate on Jesus’s life as you encounter the suffering and loneliness of leadership.

Exercising the self-discipline needed to steward your power well can be difficult and lonely work. Align yourself with Christ by allowing extra time to read and meditate on the life and passion of Jesus.

(10) Ask God for grace to forgive your “enemies”—and yourself.

You will make mistakes and hurt people. Ask for forgiveness and reconcile whenever possible. At some point, deservedly or not, people will feel betrayed by you; you will feel betrayed by them. I have yet to meet a Christian leader who has not experienced betrayal. These wounds cut deep and often lead us to a dark night of the soul. But as we pray daily for the miracle to forgive our “enemies” (and ourselves), we may experience some of our greatest seasons of maturing and deepening as leaders.

This article is adapted from The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero. Copyright 2015. Published by Zondervan. Used by permission. Follow Peter on Twitter and Facebook.

is pastor at large and founder of "Emotionally Healthy Discipleship," and author of "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality."

Comments

  1. What are your parameters on “avoid dual relationships?” My career included being hired as an organizational “fixer” and doing leadership develeopment and training. Often it included pragmatics of how to have effective multilayer, multifaceted, relationships with those below and above you in the org structure and how to properly develop friendships – relationships where you draw out of others what God has put in them and how this equips us for deep level conflict resolution, better decision making and overall effectiveness (and how to measure such).
    Definitely did NOT want to avoid dual relationships.

    1. Steve I had similar thoughts. I can see how duel relationships csc have unclear boundaries but the depth of ones relationship enhances conflict resolution…and all relationships of any signicance have conflict.

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