“Power is something that God gave to humanity...I would question 'power,' which at times is used to define religion. If one thinks that power is to impose my way, to push everyone in my line and to make them go on that path, I believe that is wrong. Religion must not be like that.” Pope Francis, On Heaven and Earth, page 147
“Don't waste your energy trying to educate or change opinion. Go “Over! Under! Through!” and opinions will change when you're the boss. Or they won't. Who cares? Do your thing, and don't care if they like it.” Tina Fey, Bossypants, page 145
Obviously, the Fey quote is not a religious one. But it gives me an idea about how to lead in a church. I attended a boundary training course recently, and learned that a pastor should not use his/her congregation to fulfill an emotional “need” he/she has. As a pastor, to go by what I interpret Fey as saying, I should lead my congregation the way I want and not push them or force them into anything. That is, “What you have, keep offering it to your congregation. They'll either take it or they won't. It doesn't matter.” No one wants to force people to love them. That includes God. Pope Francis is wise to say, “Religion must not be like that.”
My pastor has a message that he offers continually in a multitude of ways - “The kingdom of God is at hand. Being a disciple is hard, and requires change, but God's way is always the better way. Jesus shows us how. Come and See. Amen.” If people start developing spiritual practices, recognizing that it's ongoing and not a “one and done,” with discipline, perseverance and help from God and other believers, people who are seeking can do God's work. But my pastor recognizes that not everyone will follow. And he doesn't get discouraged. He keeps loving us, without “needing” us, and continues to teach, day in and day out. He is my role model.
The upside is, if you don't “need” your congregation to buy what you're saying, you're saving your sanity. The downside is, if you're too aloof, you're not leading at all. A fine line needs to be drawn.