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The headlines have been filled with Christian leaders who’ve abused power. In this Inside Out podcast, counselor, pastor, chaplain, and author Michael MacKenzie talks about developing a Christian culture that discourages church leadership from misusing their position and influence.  

 

“We as a culture are enamored–have been enamored–with power, with charisma, and not in the biblical form of charisma–a charismatic, intense personality,” MacKenzie says.  

 

MacKenzie is executive director of Colorado’s Marble Retreat, which specializes in helping church leaders in crisis. He’s also the author of the Christianity Today Better Samaritan post “Abuse Keeps Flourishing in the Church. Here are Four Reasons Why,” and the December 2021 book Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry. 

 

He says that encouraging a “get it done” drive in a pastor can lead to increasing stress–and the possibility that the pastor will one day deal with the pressure in unwise ways. This kind of emphasis also overlooks the most valuable characteristics of a Christian leader.  

  

“Our goal should be Christlikeness, should be living well in community, loving well, yet we can set up our pastor even for that not to be a value,” he says. 

We talk about this and more in this 14-minute podcast. Listen in to hear the questions MacKenzie suggests pastors ask themselves to help them steer clear of issues that lead to abuses of power.  

Read Michael MacKenzie’s Christianity Today post “Abuse Keeps Flourishing in the Church. Here are Four Reasons Why” here.

Read about his book Don’t Blow Up Your Ministry here.