Pastor Powell's Column

February 2008

The Building Authority

As the escalating Presidential campaign fills the news, we look into the faces of a half dozen or so individuals. Each of them wants to hold the most powerful position of authority in the world. We are asking ourselves how each one would use that authority.

Will authority be used to resolve the great issues of our nation and world? Or will that authority be squandered on the interests of K Street, of party and ideology, of ego? Will authority be used to continue building a good and great nation, or will it be concentrated on maneuvering for a second term?

Each of us has our own area of authority, large or small. We each have some influence in the lives of others - at home, at work, at school, in the community. The Presidential election seems a long way off. But there's another election before us daily.

How will you and I use our own authority? That's an election, a choice, we make daily.

We can choose to use authority for self-serving purposes - for our own enrichment, ego, pleasure, or empire building. Or we can use authority for the purpose God intends. Twice the Bible says God gives authority for building up others, not for tearing them down (2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10).

These were favorite passages that helped define the ministry of our founding pastor, Mark Shepard. Not only did he seek to practice this principle himself, but he left that spiritual imprint on the DNA of The Fellowship. Building up, rather than tearing down. That's how we try to teach people to live. That's how we try to function as a church.

It's a good test for each of us. Whatever authority you have - in the church, in the market place, in the home - how have you used it to build up others? What specifics can you name? In God's eyes, that's the valid use of authority.

Nothing builds another person's life like introducing him to a personal relationship with Christ. Winning and building such a faith enriches every area of life. The grace of God that comes to us in Christ can make families stronger, character deeper, caring more generous, work more diligent, emotions more stable, friendship more meaningful, business more ethical, and living more hopeful. No, not perfect. Not until we get to heaven. But even now, a substantial healing of life, as a down payment on heaven.

So, in our influence on others, what could be more upbuilding than to share with them this grace of God in Christ? We can share it with loving deeds of service, and humble words of truth.

But let's be sure we don't limit this building up to Bible class! Any time we build someone up - professionally, educationally, economically, emotionally, socially - we are using our influence well. Can you lift a person's skills, reputation, opportunities, understandings, connections, hope or courage? How much better to do so than to tear them down. It may be that the world's only way of getting ahead is always at the expense of others. (A presidential campaign seems to teach that!) But it's not God's way.

Let us always be a church that exists to serve, not to be served.