“But Jesus called them to himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'” – Matthew 20:25-28
Ministry leadership carries an inherent tension: those called to serve are simultaneously given significant power and influence over others’ lives. Yet many pastors and ministry leaders remain unconscious of the power they wield, creating conditions where harm can occur even with the best intentions. Power awareness in ministry isn’t about avoiding leadership—it’s about leading with the kind of conscious intentionality that protects both those we serve and the integrity of our calling.
The Reality of Power in Ministry leadership
When we think about power in ministry, we often focus on the obvious expressions: preaching authority, decision-making influence, or organizational leadership. However, the power that ministry leaders hold extends far beyond these visible roles. Pastors and ministry leaders possess what researchers call “positional power”—authority that comes not just from their role, but from the sacred trust people place in them as spiritual guides.
This power manifests in countless ways: the ability to shape theological understanding, influence major life decisions, access to people’s most vulnerable moments, control over resources and opportunities, and the capacity to determine who belongs and who doesn’t in community life. As David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen observe in “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse,” this influence can become spiritually abusive when leaders “use their spiritual position to control or dominate another person.”
The danger lies not in the existence of this power, but in our unconsciousness of it. When leaders remain unaware of their influence, they create conditions where unintentional harm becomes almost inevitable.
Self-Awareness: Examining Your Power Footprint
Before we can lead with integrity, we must honestly assess our relationship with power across three critical dimensions. Consider these self-reflection questions:
Self: Your Internal Power Dynamics
- Is my leadership rooted in God or in my need for validation and control?
- What drives my desire for leadership influence—service or ego?
- How do I respond when my authority is questioned or challenged?
- What fears do I have about losing influence or control?
- Am I safe for myself—do I practice self-care and maintain healthy boundaries?
- Where am I using my position to meet personal emotional needs?
Others: Your Relational Power Impact
- Am I safe for the people around me—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally?
- How do people respond to me when they disagree or bring concerns?
- Do I create space for others to express authentic thoughts and feelings?
- When have I seen people defer to my opinion simply because of my role rather than the merit of my ideas?
- How do my closest relationships (family, friends) experience my use of power?
- Am I developing other leaders or creating dependency on my leadership?
The Ministry: Your Organizational Power Footprint
- How is my emotional health impacting the ministry culture and effectiveness?
- What decisions do I make that significantly impact others’ lives and futures?
- Am I creating systems that serve the mission or protect my position?
- How would this ministry function if I were suddenly unavailable?
- What access do I have to information, resources, or opportunities that I’m stewarding well?
- Is the organization healthier because of my leadership or more fragile?
As you reflect on these questions, notice your internal responses. Defensiveness, rationalization, or immediate dismissal might indicate areas where power awareness is most needed.
Conclusion
The question isn’t whether ministry leaders have power—they do. The question is whether they’ll develop the self-awareness, accountability, and spiritual maturity to steward that power faithfully. The stakes are too high and the calling too sacred for anything less than complete honesty about the influence we wield and the responsibility it carries. As we develop greater power awareness, we create space for the Holy Spirit to work through our leadership in ways that genuinely serve God’s kingdom rather than our own egos.
If you’ve recognized areas where your power awareness needs development, consider working with a ministry coach or spiritual director who can help you explore crucial topics like the stages of power development, warning signs of power dysfunction, biblical foundations for healthy authority, emotionally healthy leadership practices, accountability systems, and power as spiritual discipline. These areas require ongoing attention and external perspective to navigate well; the health of your ministry, the safety of those you lead, and the integrity of your calling depend on it.
