Tug of War: The Downward Ascent of Power

A treatment of power vulnerability and suffering in the life and ministry of mid-career leaders offers a reminder of the need to rethink power. The push and pull of power dynamics unless acknowledged and surrendered can impact leaders spirituality relationships character and ultimately their faithfulness in ministry. To supplement countless books on leadership models techniques and motivation this book offers a counter-narrative of power informed by and embedded in the message of the cross; it elaborates on a humble use of power and proposes a reframing of power as seen in Christs downward ascent and cruciform strength. This book is of critical importance in the field of ministry formation (local and global) because it probes to the very core of our human condition illuminating one of the chief perils in lives of position and leadership--the misconstrual and misuse of power--a reality that can be particularly destructive in spiritual and ministry contexts. The larger Christian community will also find relevance in this message as leaders of every ilk share common challenges in the struggles of power and control. You will find a very personal and deeply reflective treatment on our common human condition and an invitation to admit our inner and external struggles over the use and practice of power in ministry. Wilmer G. Villacorta has given us a deeply personal and biblical reflection on the struggle of power in the life and ministry of Christian leaders. Acknowledging that leadership without power is impossible he nevertheless argues that in Christ it is possible to live and lead a powerless life. By taking the reader into deep reflection on the connections between power and personal meaning he guides us to a better way of vulnerability and humility in Jesus Christ. This book is contemporary and compelling inviting readers to a deeper understanding of our inner and external struggles over the use and practice of power in ministry. --Sherwood G. Lingenfelter Senior Professor of Anthropology Provost Emeritus Fuller Theological Seminary Throughout our lives it is easy to absorb many assumptions about power that when left unexamined can distort the trajectory of our lives. This book will help readers to begin the process of thoughtfully unearthing and replacing the implicit and harmful beliefs about power that are hindering growth and fruitfulness. --Mary Lederleitner Author of Cross-Cultural Partnerships Bold creative and daunting this book invites all leaders who are followers of Jesus to reconsider how we think of power and weakness. This is a must-read for anyone in leadership--and especially those who are involved in forming leaders--in the church. --Charles Van Engen Arthur Glasser Senior Professor of Biblical Theology of Mission School of Intercultural Studies Fuller Theological Seminary Over the past several years I have had the privilege of observing Wilmers mentoring of leaders in our Master of Arts in Global Leadership program as he facilitates their telling and reflection on their stories of how God has worked in their lives. This book helps us all learn some of those most important lessons so that we can in turn see the tug of war going on in our leadership as we deal with power. --Robert Freeman Associate Dean Fuller Theological Seminary Wilmer G. Villacorta (PhD Fuller Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. He teaches for the Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MAGL) program a pioneer program in online graduate education since 2004. He and his family reside in the city of Colorado Springs.