sharing power builds God's Kingdom
Shared Power
Religious people balk at the concept of power. But power is simply the ability to be effective. Reframing power as the ability to work together with others, shared power, rather than to dominate others, can strengthen congregations internally, by empowering congregants to do ministry; and externally, enabling them to partner with others to build healthy, compassionate, interfaith, diverse, and civic-minded neighborhoods and communities.
Power Dynamics in Congregations
Power dynamics are inevitable in congregational life. How do we reframe them to align with faith's higher values of redemption, reconciliation, cooperation, and mutuality to attain concrete goals that better the lives of people, congregations, and communities?
Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
A Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor for more than forty years, Dr. Ritsch has training and experience in community organizing, family systems, church and organizational dynamics, interfaith community engagement, church consulting, executive church leadership, and coaching. He is the author of Reclaiming Power in Congregational and Community Ministry: Creating Shared Power for Effective Ministry. He is available for individual and group consultation, congregational consulting, teaching, and public speaking.
What I Do
I work with clergy and lay leaders to recognize and address hidden congregational power dynamics, direct them toward positive goals,
and promote democratic ministry, empowering congregants to do the work they are called to do, rather than imaging it is the job of religious professionals.
I also work with interfaith groups to develop effective community ministries.