Podcast Episode #135
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On the podcast we discuss power groups—both positive and negative groups. I also found out something about Jonathan that I did not know before.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- I don’t think any pastor has ever served in a church where there wasn’t some form of a power group.
- Gaining power for power’s sake is a problem.
- Every power group thinks they are doing good for the church. Many times they aren’t.
- Most power groups in the church are trying to return the church to an era that no longer exists.
- When a negative power group exists in a church, align yourself with positive people.
- Before confronting a negative power group in the church, ask for counsel from those whom you can trust.
The six keys to dealing with power groups in your church are:
- Discern if the issue is really power
- Try to understand motives
- Grasp the “berry bucket” theory”
- See if a direct approach will work (Matthew 18)
- Develop key alliances
- Determine if a work around or a confrontation will be best
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This is the truth, “Most power groups in the church are trying to return the church to an era that no longer exists.”
Now, sometimes the power group does not fully trust church leadership and can/will overrule them. Thus, this type of power group can be beneficial. Most church leaders know that certain people hold an outsized influence and will let them know if they made a bad decision. This is why I suggested to a group of younger (undesirable) people in a church that they lobby the power group to advocate for them to the church leaders for things that they would like (inclusion, competent Sunday school teacher, appropriate Sunday school class, pastoral care, relevant sermon, etc.).
The problem with “powers groups” is their failure to recognise their God given limits of authority and areas of influence, which are limited first by their God given spiritual gifts and subsequent area(s) of ministry, and second by the level of God called level of leadership.
In other words, any time an individual or group attempts to exert authority or influence in areas of the church outside the areas of ministry or leadership to which they are called by God. When this happens, they are outside the will of God and causing harm regardless of motives or intentions because they create a pattern of authority apart from that which flows from God.
I believe a great deal of conflict that occurs in churches is the fact we have taken on a corporate model in which we are asked by the church to do a job rather than answer God’s call, and with that, some in the church believe those serving (staff and volunteers) are their employees rather than servants of God, to whom they answer, and only to those He puts them under direct authority. My only experience is in congregational churches, but understanding of this truth seems lacking. We need to trust God to lead His servants, and seek only to encourage and help, not control.
“Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
Romans 14:4 (ESV)
Thank you for this post.
Every church has what is called “phantom” leaders. These are key people that usually stay in the background; however, they have a great influence in the church and especially with the leadership. They have a need to know and want to be included but are not willing or probably are not qualified to step up and lead. There are two things one can do; work with them or find a new ministry. Fighting or confronting no matter how right one is, will only prolong the inevitable. “phantom leaders” are the true power players. They are the Diotrophes, and unless you are the apostle John; confronting them is a loss cause.
Thank you for the insight. I do have one question concerning plowing around negative power groups. What do we do when the negative power group creates a negative culture that hinders growth?
The clearest Biblical example of “power groups” are the Pharisees. Jesus never attempted to “align” himself with them thinking that if he could just become a “bud” with them then his ministry would go smoothly. For negative power groups who rule their churches through threats, intimidation and manipulation…the only position one can take is Zero Tolerance. ( http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-james-emery-white/zero-tolerance.html?utm_source=Crosswalk%20Pastors%20Weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06/19/2015). Pastors, and Associate Pastors (of which I am) must be willing to suffer slander, assault, verbal abuse and character assassination by negative power groups if there is to be any hope for the congregations being held hostage by these church bullies. I know because I have been experiencing all of these over the past 3 years by the longstanding church bullies, (just read Paul’s suffering in 2 Cor. 11:16-33). Rick Blackwood, a pastor in Miami Florida, made this statement to pastors at the FBC Jacksonville pastors conference in 2014 as he was in the midst of confronting negative power groups in his church early on in his ministry: “My pastor friend told me that I needed to get the hell out of Miami. I said to him, ‘If I get the hell out of Miami, who is going to get the “hell” out of Miami.” A bully will always be a bully until someone has the backbone and courage to stand and confront them head-on. Negative peace is not true peace at all. Negative peace actually becomes an incubator in which ungodly, wicked attitudes and actions are protected, nurtured and matured.
The above being said, this Sunday night, our church will be meeting to vote on removal of two of the church bullies one of which has controlled the church for decades, after having gone through a year of church discipline and appeals to repent. This will be a defining moment in the history and future of this congregation and its pastor’s.
May God be glorified as his under-shepherds lead in submission and obedience to His Word. In the words of Mary; “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).
Are you to continue attending and supporting your church even when the negative power group will not see that they are ruining the church? The power group at my church is the pastors and deacons, one deacon being a Mason elder. A lot of the Freemasonry idealism is being put in place in the church. Pastors and deacons have even gone so far as to tell a person that they are not welcome in our church because of the color of their skin and told the church that everything they did was in the best interest of the church and it was all done Biblically. One pastor told the church that he didn’t care what the church wanted he would do what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it. Our church needs help and fast!! Prayers appreciated.
Millenials can sniff out negative power groups like a dog can find crap! They hate fighting and will just leave and never come back! #reality