To "Power Up" I heard a new phrase tonight. "Power up". This phrase was used to describe pastors that lord it over their people. The man who used this phrase is the President of Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Clark Summit. PA.
He was speaking on II Timothy 2, and had come to the words in verse 24 "the Lord's servant". The contrast was being made between true servant leadership and those who use their position of authority to "power up" over other people.
My wife and I looked at one another. We each knew what the other was thinking. "Powering up"... Yes, we've seen that done in a church before. And an apt description it is of lording it over a flock.
Thankfully we are no longer in an abusive church where to "power up" was the norm for the leadership style. And of course many times it was done in the name of "Biblical counseling".... Bah Humbug! And if you had a problem with that style it was because "you were the problem..." never the leadership... Bah Humbug!
What is worse is when that style of leadership is copied in the home... It's a sure way of creating un-godly ugly Nabal like husbands and fathers... Bah Humbug!!!
Christ did not lead by the "power up". He lead by servant example. He was an example of what it means to "..be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition..." (II Timothy 2:24-25).
Does your pastor lead by use of the "power up"? If so, it is time to get a new pastor, either by removing the bum from office, or "firing" him by walking away from that church and not looking back.
Baaaaahhhh.....
~ The Billy Goat ~
