Lara Rusch ~ 18
In this narrative both the lay person and the pastor share a belief in the authority figure’s
responsibility to the congregation. And the lay person demonstrates her own sense of
responsibility by “acting on” the pastor. An apparent dependence of lay people on
religious authority both in internal organizational affairs and in external political action
reflects the internal political dynamics of this Baptist congregation. Pastor and
membership believe that strong leadership helps the community collectively achieve
some greater goal (i.e. a reliable choir) and stave off chaos or apathy that benefits no one.
From the perspective of both parties, to relinquish that responsibility would be to the
detriment of the congregation. While the woman in the story may have had a personal
interest in having the pastor’s ear, and the pastor himself has an interest in telling this
kind of story, both positions reflect a belief in religious authority in the community as
serving a common good.
While Baptist pastors may more deliberately encourage their members’ roles in
administration, services and ministries, those roles are held in tension with the power
relations in the congregation. The roles are politicized in part because they symbolize
closeness to the pastor and influence over others.
11
The intensity of internal relationships
and responsibilities within Baptist congregations reflects the centrality of those
institutions for many black communities, creating opportunities for personal growth and
advancement as well as serving community uplift (Lincoln and Mamiya 1990).
11
In one study, charismatic clergy were found more likely to use multiple strategies to influence their
congregations, including charismatic, traditional, and legal-rational strategies. In contrast, clergy who
identified with models of authority coming from their own training or professional skills showed no pattern
in their use of strategies to influence their congregations (Falbo, New, and Gaines 1987).
Convention