power and leadership source: bob perry, pass the power, please
TRANSCRIPT
Power and Power and LeadershipLeadership
Source: Bob Perry, Source: Bob Perry, Pass the Power, Pass the Power, PleasePlease
Power Exercised and Power Exercised and UnmaskedUnmasked
Most often exercised in unseen Most often exercised in unseen and informal channels and informal channels
The wise leader unmasks pockets The wise leader unmasks pockets of power and discerns hidden of power and discerns hidden patterns.patterns.
Assumptions about PowerAssumptions about Power
Power can be used for (un)righteous ends.Power can be used for (un)righteous ends. Power can be used in Godly or ungodly ways.Power can be used in Godly or ungodly ways. Power can be used by saints and sinners.Power can be used by saints and sinners. There is never a power vacuum.There is never a power vacuum. Knowing where power resides is itself power.Knowing where power resides is itself power. Position does not guarantee power.Position does not guarantee power. Power often comes from informal, non-Power often comes from informal, non-
institutionalized sources.institutionalized sources.
Sources of PowerSources of Power
IndividualIndividual GroupGroup
33 TypesTypes of Powerof Power
InformationalInformational
RelationalRelational
CoalitionalCoalitional
InformationalInformational
Understanding the history of what has and hasn’t worked in the church.
Expertise of pertinent subject matter.– (i.e. theological, sociological)
Mastery of data and trend interpretation.
RelationalRelational
Being married to a power person
Kinship with power sources
Having the right “last name”
CoalitionalCoalitional
Friendship with a power person
Being part of key “discussion arenas”
Reputation as “sounding board”
Can include one’s perceived relationship with God
Congregational Congregational Power Analysis Survey:Power Analysis Survey:
15 questions toward 15 questions toward discerning and unmasking discerning and unmasking
power pockets in your power pockets in your congregation.congregation.
Mr./Ms. “My Church” Mr./Ms. “My Church”
Who embodies what this church is Who embodies what this church is all about?all about?
Who is the quintessential member?Who is the quintessential member?
““Let’s vote!”Let’s vote!”
Ability to summarize essenceAbility to summarize essence
Consensus namerConsensus namer
““I’ve heard enoughI’ve heard enough””
““End-around”End-around”
Who do I go to if I want to get a Who do I go to if I want to get a hearing?hearing?
Who makes sure you get the message?Who makes sure you get the message?
Unofficial gathering places and Unofficial gathering places and discussion forumsdiscussion forums
S/heroes in Tough TimesS/heroes in Tough Times
Who has a medal for bravery Who has a medal for bravery beyond duty in combat or beyond duty in combat or crisis times?crisis times?
Who was here (didn’t leave) Who was here (didn’t leave) when the church weathered when the church weathered the storm?the storm?
5% Giver5% Giver
Perception of their wealth Perception of their wealth and/or giving to the church and/or giving to the church
matters more than the reality matters more than the reality of what they actually giveof what they actually give
IntimidatorIntimidator
Position or reputation in Position or reputation in communitycommunity
Perceived wealthPerceived wealth Occupation (i.e. business)Occupation (i.e. business) PersonalityPersonality Known history in church Known history in church
life/issueslife/issues
CelebrityCelebrity
Media presenceMedia presence
Frequent speaker in large group Frequent speaker in large group gatherings of the churchgatherings of the church
Visible in community lifeVisible in community life– golf pro, commerce, government, golf pro, commerce, government,
managementmanagement
Smarter than the PastorSmarter than the Pastor
Again: perception > reality!Again: perception > reality! Business acumen (“Business acumen (“real world”)real world”) More experience with church lifeMore experience with church life Stronger biblically or theologicallyStronger biblically or theologically More formal educationMore formal education Better people skillsBetter people skills Better handle on nature/goals of Better handle on nature/goals of
organizationorganization
More Spiritual than the More Spiritual than the PastorPastor
Perceived to pray morePerceived to pray more Knows more of the BibleKnows more of the Bible Interprets life theologically Interprets life theologically
without being seen as falsely without being seen as falsely piouspious
Longer tenure in faithLonger tenure in faith Viewed as more dedicated giverViewed as more dedicated giver
– $/time$/time
Wise, Articulate, PersuasiveWise, Articulate, Persuasive
Gift of discernmentGift of discernment
““On earth as it is in heaven”On earth as it is in heaven”
Few words, well-chosenFew words, well-chosen
People want to know how this one feels People want to know how this one feels
before they decide how they’ll votebefore they decide how they’ll vote
Public & behind-the-scenes persuasionPublic & behind-the-scenes persuasion
Bloodline and BlessingBloodline and Blessing
Who has the right last name?Who has the right last name?
Who has parents or family Who has parents or family members who played decisive roles members who played decisive roles in church life?in church life?
Actual regular physical presence at Actual regular physical presence at the church not required.the church not required.
““Trust me …”Trust me …”
Different than “persuasive” category.Different than “persuasive” category.
Seen as having the best interests of Seen as having the best interests of the church at heart.the church at heart.
Can’t be “bought” out of convictions.Can’t be “bought” out of convictions.
15: “WWJD?”15: “WWJD?”
This person does not have to This person does not have to be seen as exercising formal be seen as exercising formal
power, but is viewed as one of power, but is viewed as one of the “saints” of the church.the “saints” of the church.
Analyzing Your “Power” Analyzing Your “Power” DataData
8 steps8 steps
1. Gather Accurate 1. Gather Accurate PerceptionsPerceptions
Get sample of 5-20 church leadersGet sample of 5-20 church leaders
Include:Include:– your spouseyour spouse– other staffother staff– your best friend in the churchyour best friend in the church– people loyal to your leadershippeople loyal to your leadership– choose some of the probably powerfulchoose some of the probably powerful– people who know people that you don’t people who know people that you don’t
knowknow
2. Enlist by Explaining Purpose2. Enlist by Explaining Purpose
Enable more Godly and helpful Enable more Godly and helpful
leadership in the church by leadership in the church by
providing an accurate picture. providing an accurate picture.
More beyond the formal to the More beyond the formal to the
informal “getting things done.”informal “getting things done.”
3. Tally and Rank3. Tally and Rank
List every name mentioned in List every name mentioned in surveyssurveys
Tally number of votes for each Tally number of votes for each person listedperson listed
Rank by # of votes receivedRank by # of votes received
4. Interpret Emerging Patterns4. Interpret Emerging Patterns
Are the most powerful people those Are the most powerful people those who have information, relationships, who have information, relationships, or coalitions?or coalitions?
Among the most powerful, are there Among the most powerful, are there any significant coalitions?any significant coalitions?
Don’t forget spouses of the powerful!Don’t forget spouses of the powerful!
5. Assess: “What About 5. Assess: “What About Me??”Me??”
If no one is “smarter” or “more spiritual” If no one is “smarter” or “more spiritual” than the pastor, then that’s one vote for than the pastor, then that’s one vote for you!you!
What is your “power rank” in relation to What is your “power rank” in relation to others?others?
How much is in your “leadership bank How much is in your “leadership bank account?”account?”
6. Determine Future 6. Determine Future Coalitions You Need to FormCoalitions You Need to Form
Individuals or groups?Individuals or groups?– Do I need to be at certain gatherings?Do I need to be at certain gatherings?
Accumulate enough “power go-ahead” Accumulate enough “power go-ahead” before proceeding with a changebefore proceeding with a change
Who are the permission-givers/takers?Who are the permission-givers/takers?
7. Power through Morale 7. Power through Morale BuildingBuilding
Cultivating relationships as a task-Cultivating relationships as a task-oriented eventoriented event
Mission-morale balanceMission-morale balance
Change-agent through friendshipChange-agent through friendship
8. Steward of this Knowledge8. Steward of this Knowledge
Undertaking this process itself Undertaking this process itself grants you new power. grants you new power.
Pray for wise and discerning use of Pray for wise and discerning use of power for Kingdom ends!power for Kingdom ends!
Power and Power and LeadershipLeadership
Dr. John P. ChandlerDr. John P. ChandlerThe Ray and Ann Spence Network for The Ray and Ann Spence Network for
Congregational LeadershipCongregational Leadershipwww.rasnet.orgwww.rasnet.org
[email protected]@vbmb.orgCopy right John Chandler, 2000Copy right John Chandler, 2000