Seduced by Power
Gary Sinclair
October 1, 2001
A neighboring pastor's ministry imploded. It was a slow, inward collapse over a five-year period, with the blast at the end rather than the beginning. Jim was a gifted communicator, a man of vision brimming with potential. But he was slowly seduced by his power. His giftedness to lead was overtaken by a drive to control. There were warning signs that could have alerted him to his peril, but neither Jim nor his church recognized them.
Jim came to Englewood Community Church* with an impressive resume. He trained under one of the world's premier pastors. The church that had plateaued began to grow again under Jim's leadership. They revamped some structures, added a contemporary worship service, and expanded the annual holiday music programs for which the church was known.
The energetic pastor's tell-it-like-it-is preaching style was appreciated by the church's stalwarts and newcomers alike. Jim headed and completed a building campaign in his first three years. When Jim ran a meeting (which was most of the time), it was thoroughly planned and each person understood his task before leaving for home. Englewood church, once aging and a little clunky, now operated like a well-oiled machine.
But few people realized what was happening behind that façade. Englewood's pastor was being seduced.
Warning signs
Englewood was a trusting church. Most members could remember only two pastors. Both had long tenures. One died in office and the other left for a prominent ministry opportunity at a time when most pastors would have retired. The church respected the office of pastor and generally gave those who held it freedom to innovate. That, combined with their joy at Jim's early successes, might account for their failure to see the changes in Jim ...
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