“God in Three Versions, Eclectic Trinity” (Part 4: Power)

What is power? The simplest definition is that “power is influence.” Power is influencing others to do what you want them to do. The table below summarizes 5 types of power (based on Stojkovic, Kalinich and Klofas, Criminal Justice Organizations, p. 247).

These 5 types of power are used at home, work, church, and community. It might be most helpful to see these types of power in action in a church setting.

Your church is holding a conference on evangelism. You’ve publicized the event and are expecting a large turnout. The church announces that church members will receive a 20% discount to register. That’s “reward power” in action.

A friend sits with you each service. One Sunday your friend decides to play golf rather than go to church. You call the person on Monday morning to find out if anything’s wrong. Your friend senses your disapproval when you discover the reason. The next Sunday your friend is at church. That’s “coercive” power in action.

One Sunday your pastor asks the congregation to bring an unsaved friend to church the following week. Since the pastor is the leader, and you seek to “obey your leaders,” you bring a friend along with you the next Sunday. That’s “legitimate power” in action.

You teach an adult Sunday school class. One class member is a newer believer and you have sought to build a relationship with the person. It’s clear the individual admires you and always pays attention in class. That’s “referent power” in action.

Finally, you’re an accountant that helps the church with financial matters. After church a friend mentions tithing. The person makes a lot of money and finds it hard to donate 10% to the church. You reply that tithing is important; in fact, the first check every month should be the tithe. Later the friend confides that the family is now tithing. That’s “expert power” in action.”

The type of power you use isn’t important. It’s the motive behind exercising power. It’s wrong to knowingly use power for selfish reasons. It’s also wrong to knowingly exercise power that will be harmful to the other person. And you’ve crossed the line any time you use power to manipulate another individual.

Like money and sex, power is not inherently bad. These three modern day gods are double-edged swords. If you use them to serve others they are wonderful gifts of God. But if you use them to serve yourself, the result is pain, misery, and hardship.

Money, sex and power have become “God in three versions, eclectic Trinity.” How much better it is to worship the One True God – “God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity.”

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