landonville

One suggestion I made was that we should begin viewing the position of pastor as the "Benevolent Dictator" (BD) of the community of faith. Oh my. I'm sure that some folks were planning a coup immediately...

Let's start by saying that we are fearful of power and authority. I would say that the biggest struggle I've had as a pastor has nothing to do with administrative work (which I hate) or member care visits (which wear this introvert out), but with the fact that I am the pastor of this congregation and that means I've got some authority and power at my disposal.

Now, I am a man of 34 years and I can say that of all the things that have informed my life, witnessing prominent (usually) religious and political leaders screw up has profoundly affected the way I see the world. I have seen it on local, regional and national levels. I have seen more than my fair share of tearful apologies and moments where I was aghast at the lack of tearful apologies. I am also acutely aware that I am an arrogant, arrogant man. I hope that you don't see it because I've worked hard to not operate that way. But the fact remains that, when I walk into a room, I generally assume I'm one of the smarter people in it. Because I know that I am so susceptible to it, the misuse, misappropriation, and misapplication of power and authority have consumed much of my intellectual life recently, so much so that I'm writing a book which advocates for the elevation of group discernment and authority over individual authority.

Can you tell that I should have been Presbyterian all along?

So to catch us up, here's what I said about BDs:

"In open source communities, there is almost always someone who fulfills the role of 'Benevolent Dictator.' The BD is a person with almost unlimited power to take unilateral action. However, it is understood that his person never exercises their power for their own self-interest or benefit, nor for the interest and benefit of a small group of people. The BD should always exercise their power in such a way as to benefit the entire community. The BD functions as the chief protector of the community, sometimes even protecting it from itself. Because of the open nature of open source communities, it is understood that the BD's power is given at the consent of those being "governed" and can just as easily be taken away."

I suggest that pastors are expected to fulfill this role in most of our church communities, and I also suggest that those of us who are pastors should embrace it.

First, we should see that the title of Benevolent Dictator is meant to be ultimately tongue in cheek in that the BD is not really the dictator, but is the one person that a community trusts to take unilateral action on their behalf. If the pastor/BD demonstrates that this power was used well, then they will continue to be allowed to do it. If they do not use it well, it doesn't matter if the Treasurer still signs a paycheck - their ministry is over.

But the larger issue that came up in the Twitter discussion was of allowing the pastor to have the kind of authority.

I want to argue that it is not a matter of "allowing" the pastor to have it. Pastors have it already. I have an ungodly amount of power and authority in my church whether I want it or not. I did not originally get it because I was anything special, but simply because I was called as the pastor of this congregation. Pastor have power and authority ex officio.

The real question is how are we going to engage that reality. It seems we have two answers: refuse it or embrace it. I want to say that we must embrace it. Power and authority are ours. We have them. People are giving them to us. This is not speculation. This is fact. It is also appropriate that we be given them. Not because we deserve them, but because we have demonstrated that we can be trusted with them by virtue of our call process (Whether preparatory bodies have done their jobs well is another discussion).

I want to contend that more damage has been done by pastors who have not adequately received and used their authority than those who have. When one does not accept the authority that comes with a position like pastor then how am I, your colleague supposed to hold you accountable for your actions? If you say "I wasn't responsible" then who was? How is that good leadership you have demonstrated? It wasn't. Leaders lead, not manipulate or hide behind committees. But when a pastor accepts that they are the benevolent dictator of the community they serve then they can be held accountable for their actions. One we embrace this authority we can use it for good.

My favorite story about power and authority is the one C.S. Lewis writes about young Prince Caspian. After the battle, which found Caspian demonstrating good leadership, Aslan asks the prince if he is ready to be king. He says that he doesn't think he is. Aslan tells him that his hesitancy is the very reason he will be a good king.

Pastors, do your congregations a favor and be the leader they called you to be. Don't be arrogant asses, but be the leader they believe God has sent them. Use your power and authority to empower them for ministry, for if you don't embrace your power someone who loves them much less than you do will. And you don't want that on your hands.