Mature leaders don’t abuse power simply because they have it.
Sometimes people will take shots at the leader.
Critics will always be around where there is success and growth.
Mature leaders know when to shoot back and when to let it go.
Imagine the big guy holding the little guys head, while the little guy swings at the big guy, but can never hit him. That’s often the way it is with a leader. They have the power. They maintain control. They get to choose how they will use it.
If the criticism is valid or the critic is valuable to the organization, then listen and apply as necessary.
If the criticism is not valid or the critic has no real value to the organization – listen, politely, thank them for their time and move on to something more important.
There is no reason to crush a critic just because you have the power to do so.
What are some ways you have seen leaders abuse their power?
Dear Mr. Edmondson,
This article is great but, you should include a list of mature leaders who didn’t abuse their power. So people,like me, could have a better understanding about what you are talking about.
Thank you fro your Consideration,
Hailey
Thanks. I'll consider that for a future post. I like the idea.
I have abused my power and influence in the past, and have learned valuable lessons from it. With leadership comes the responsibility to treat others respectfully. There will be times when we need to be forceful, but there is a difference between being forceful and abusive. In the business world, good leaders know the difference and it shows on their P&L statements.
I agree James. We can always apply truth with grace.
I know that and a good reminder that when we get into a position of power, we have that ability to abuse it. I know I have too.
We in or have been in church leadership can get a Messiah Complex. Either people think we can save them or we do ourselves.
One key is found I think is found in John 10. Jesus speaks about Him being a good shepherd and how He brings them. He also talks of hired hands which in a sense I think we are leading them to the good shepherd.
Sometimes we get confused on our task, but even in that Jesus wants to lead the bad sheep also. That verse is very profound actually.
Great point. We are not given ultimate power as pastors. Jesus retains that power
More than one pastor. Now, because the one where we are feels threatened by a successful Sunday School class (strictly from Bible, no qtrly) there is continual attempts to disband and relocate members. Also, we've learned, when a problem is seen, if you say anything, you are the problem. The 'pastor' is always bringing up murmuring in sermons, yet, he is the one talking about others! This is a known fact as he said things to us about a family (that is now no longer there), that he had no business saying. Of course, we didn't help him spread his message, as we made sure we didn't repeat anything.
He is a former police officer, new and insecure BUT, his sermons grieve the Spirit to the point I don't attend services and only go to Sunday School.
His focus is 'bring them in' but it is to build a new church. Numbers is the focus, very shallow sermons, and what is the deal of him preaching to the chairs, rather than the members?
We feel we can't say anything, because we will be 'marked' as a problem. Been there before, have your testimony destroyed by a supposedly 'shepherd' and then you are publicly shunned without talking to others except pastor and deacons (at another church, which resulted in being out of fellowship for several years). And here we are again, not even 2 yrs since getting back in fellowship.
Here's another one, recently: 'If you have questions, you need to speak with the deacons or the pastor'….just like the WH, control the message at all costs.
The twist on 'Where there is no vision, the people perish (ya know, vision, new building, land, etc)……but neglects to add 'for lack of the law'. A continual line in the bulletin. Well, once again, I feel I'm perishing under this, but want to support our long-time friend/encourager and Sunday School teacher
So many sweet people there, many seniors, that just don't see it, at all.
Thanks for the vent!
There’s a lot to vent there. I’ve seen this sort of leadership. As with the previous comment this pastor has other issues besides with the people in the church
In the last curch I attended, the Pastors would publicly tell the church about ex-members who had died, been divorced or laid off from jobs- He used it to tell the congregation that if they left his church they would lose everything. He said preosperity and stability and even health, could only be theirs if they were under his corporate covering of prosperity and miracles. He actually told of 2 people who died (one in a car accident and one of cancer) he said they died because they talked "bad" about his chruch. In reality they shared their story of being abused by the Pastors. He used his power to strike fear into the people so they would not leave. Additionally he used fear and corporate shunning to make people tithe and give. If you did not give, or did not give enough you were not considered one of the anointed ones…. If you were not one of the anointed ones you couldn't even get good prayer if you had a problem; instead he would place his hand on your head and say "Father be with our sister"… I was there 7 years; too bound up to leave. It's taken over a year to really begin to come out of the place I left so long ago…..
Your witness goes to show you that the Bible is true when it speaks of False Teachers and False Churches. Jesus stated woe to them that anyone who deceives my "children"
Absolutely
Wow. This pastor obviously has some insecurity problems and probably deeper personal problems.
I wasn’t thinking blogosphere when I wrote the post yet that’s certainly a common place these days. The power of the pen has become the power of the keyboard.
I wasn’t think blogosphere when I wrote the post yet that’s certainly a common place these days. The power of the pen has become the power of the keyboard.
I think abuse is just easier than having to face up to the facts or having to deal with conflict. Every time I have seen abuse of this power, either by me or by someone else, this is often the case. We don't want someone to tell us that we are in the wrong, so we just squish them so we don't have to deal with it.
Ron, unfortunately I have to say that I have done the abusing as well. Restoring, or at least trying to restore, those relationships can be difficult and painful but so worth it.
Thanks for your honesty. We’ve been dealing a lot lately with learning about healthy conflict as a staff. I think it will make us better and hopefully avoid some potential abuse
Wow…I could write a TON about leaders who've abused their power.
I'd say one of the worst was a pastor who actually told people he "didn't feel God wanted them in their church" because those people didn't fit the image he wanted for the church. They were good people, they served more than many of the others and they didn't cause division. They were just overweight or couldn't afford to look like an Abercrombie & Fitch ad. They could have stayed but when the pastor says he doesn't think God wants you there and suggests other places to go it's not like they really have an option.
Yea I’d say that would run most people off for sure