The third temptation in ministry is to be powerful and in control. This is a struggle with a lot of ministers. While leadership is absolutely necessary in the setting of the apostolic church. . . . . . When manipulation takes over the capacity of leadership, trouble is sure to develop. Ministry is never about position, it is about encouragement.
Religious power can destroy in a way that no other power can. . . . .
Those who are a law unto themselves and at the same time take on a mantle of piety are particularly corruptible. When we are convinced that what we are doing is identical with the kingdom of God, anyone who opposes us must be wrong. When we are convinced that we always use our power to good ends, we believe we can never do wrong. But when this mentality possesses us, we are taking the power of God and using it to our own ends. . . . . When pride is mixed with power the result is genuinely volatile.