"It is an all too familiar story....A church leader starts out with a deep sense of trust and dependence upon God. They are surrendered....But, as the ministry flourishes and numbers grow, as is inevitable under God's power, organizing ministry becomes strained. The struggle to make decisions efficiently takes over. The pastor who once lived "under" God's power begins exercising increasing control and 'power over' under the pretext of getting things done for God." -David Fitch, Reckoning with Power

In evangelical ministry spaces, there’s often an emphasis on defining ministry wins by numbers—attendance, bank balances, baptisms, salvations, buildings, and campuses. There’s nothing wrong with big numbers. Or small ones. But what happens if our big numbers entice us to exercise power in worldly ways, rather than in godly submission to one another?

My conversation with pastor Seth Major* is inspired by his ministry in a historically neglected neighborhood in Peoria, IL, and by David Fitch’s Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power. Seth breaks down for us how Fitch distinguishes between two main postures Christians often take toward power: the use of worldly power over others to compel what we believe is on God’s agenda or submission to one another under Christ’s Lordship as a group discerns the will of God together.

01:10 Ministry in Historically Neglected Neighborhoods18:50 Reckoning with Power Discussion

Resources Mentioned & Affiliate Links:**

Reckoning with Power: How the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power by David Fitch

Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups by Ruth Haley Barton

*Follow Seth on IG or Reachway Church

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YPRB host Heather Weber is a book-obsessed pastor, author, and holistic life and leadership coach. She is the author of Dear Boy,: An Epistolary Memoir. Find out more about her coaching, pastoral direction, and creative projects at www.heatherweber.org. And, subscribe to her Dear Exiles newsletter at heatherweber.substack.com.