Power and leadership

This post will continue looking at my role as a female lay leader in a church culture which is still male dominated in many ways and power of position found in its hierarchical structures.

I learned some interesting things about power from Phyllis Anderson who is now the president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. She did a presentation on power at Luther Seminary back in the 90's.  She helped me to understand that there are different kinds of power.  My authority is based on who I am but power and authority are different. Authority is one way that we have power and are able to influence others. 

There is legitimate authority where society agrees to give a certain level of respect to a certain person.  There is not as much of this type of authority available in our society because of cynicism.  As church leaders we recognize the legitimate authority of every believer because of our baptism into the priesthood of believers.  This should provide us with a sense of  mutuality as we work together in a church but our egos and fears get in the way.   In a congregation certain people have more power than others.  They either claim that power or are given that power by others.  This can be a good thing or cause lots of harm. Reflecting on power and its use is rarely done in a congregation but would be a great topic for a church council retreat.

Power  or our ability of influence can be either intentional or unintentional.  Intentional power has four manifestations: force, manipulation, persuasion and authority.  Authority is given to us from five areas:  coercion or fear, inducement such as a paycheck, competence,  personal attraction, and legitimate authority. 

From which area does your authority come?  For me, it would be from my competence,  from my sense of  personal attraction as people are attracted to people who like people and I really enjoy people; and some legitimate authority as a staff person in a congregation.  

But the voice of the pastor will usually carry more weight than mine.  In most cases that is the way it should be but it depends on how the pastor handles that power.  Is power shared?  Is the power of others recognized and valued?  Is there a sense that the gifts of all are given for the good of all ?  This is not an easy thing to figure out or to live out.  As sinful beings we all fall short of the ideal. I also fall short.  I am so glad for forgiveness and being able to begin anew each day.   

I will continue these ideas as I move into the later part of June.

Life is complicated

I have not posted in a while because of many responsibilities as the president of the Lutheran Association of Christian Educators and also I was very ill.
  My intention is to post regularly after the end of June.  I am having knee replacement surgery next week and will be limiting my activities until the end of June.