166. The Church's Love Affair with Power, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson

On this episode of Spiritual Life and Leadership, Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore the issue of power and the church's love affair with it, which is exceedingly harmful, especially considering our faith's cornerstone, the Suffering Servant.

Tod and Markus emphasize the importance of adopting a leadership model that is reflective of Jesus and prioritizes shared leadership. They also highlight the struggle for power and control that often comes with leadership, but Jesus's life and teachings resist the idea of lording over others in a leadership position.

Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Chuck DeGroat in Episode 82: Narcissism and Spiritual Leadership.

"There’s been this strange collusion and love affair with power that the church has had in general—which is interesting given that our faith is centered on the Crucified One, the Suffering Servant."

Ep. 82 is a conversation about Chuck DeGroat's book, When Narcissism Comes to Church.


TIMESTAMPS:
[00:01:31] Leadership is not about lording over others; even Jesus' closest disciples struggled with this temptation.

[00:03:12] Leadership should reflect Jesus and not be built on desires for power and control. Bad leaders are the problem and good shepherds are needed.

[00:06:27] Text summary: Chuck de Grote comments on the church's love affair with power despite being centered on the suffering servant.


Q&A:
1. What is the "Suffering Servant" leadership style and what does it require?
Answer: The "Suffering Servant" leadership style requires sharing and adaptivity.

2. What is the importance of the concept of power in ministry leadership?
Answer: The topic of power is one of the most deeply rooted challenges of being human, particularly for those in positions of authority, and it is essential for leaders to take it seriously and see it as a lifelong area for personal growth and development. 

3. How does the idea of being like God relate to the desire for power?
Answer: The idea of being like God was the first temptation, according to the Genesis story, and the desire for power is rooted in a deep human awareness of vulnerability.

4. What is Chuck DeGroat's quote about the church's relationship with power?
Answer: Chuck DeGroat notes that the church has a "love affair" with power, which is interesting given that faith is centered on the Suffering Servant.

5. What is Jesus' view on lording over others in leadership roles?
Answer: Jesus spoke out against the idea of lording over others in leadership roles and emphasized the importance of servant leadership.

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