Bad Habits #3 - Politics and Power
This week we are looking at the bad habits of unhealthy churches, here's the third one...| I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. (3John1:9-11) |
In 3 John 1:9-11, John exposes a vivid example of toxic church power and politics through a leader named Diotrephes, who refused to welcome traveling missionaries, including Demetrius, even when they carried letters proving they were legitimate. No one in Diotrephes's house church was allowed to receive them.
John pinpoints the motive in verse 9: "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us." There lies the root cause: he loved power. He wanted to sit on the throne of the local assembly, deciding who was in, who was out, whose voice mattered and who was silenced. When personal politics, ego and a craving for authority take root in a church, spiritual decay begins. When a church operates like a political party rather than the body of Christ, it produces fruit that systematically kills the congregation. Diotrephes won the position, forgot his calling, ignored the counsel of the apostles and brought ruin to his house church.
Diotrephes blocked Demetrius and the traveling workers because new leaders, new ideas and new voices threatened his position. When a church is controlled by a spirit of self-preservation, hospitality dies. Entrenched leaders begin viewing newcomers as threats to the status quo. When protecting personal turf becomes more important than the mission of God, the church ceases to be a refuge and becomes an exclusive, unwelcoming club.
John also reveals Diotrephes's tactics of spreading lies. Leaders and members who fight to maintain control cannot rely on love or truth, so they resort to slander, character assassination and whisper campaigns. They tear down others to protect their own standing. A culture of gossip and backbiting destroys trust. Once trust dies in a congregation, spiritual life evaporates, and visitors quickly sense the underlying toxicity.
Diotrephes did not stop at gossip; he actively stopped those who wanted to welcome the brethren and "puts them out of the church." When church politics dominate, the most passionate, loving and mission-minded believers are often the first to be silenced, worn out or pushed out. What remains is a cold, hollow institution run by controllers over a dwindling, spiritless crowd.
Church, if we want renewal instead of decline, we must recognise that church politics, as John describes it, is evil. To turn the tide, both leaders and congregants must apply God's Word to break the culture of power and politics.
Church leaders must reject Diotrephes's desire for pre-eminence. True kingdom power is found in servanthood, not titles or controlling committees. They must welcome and equip new voices, new gifts and younger leaders, and lead with transparency and grace, refusing political manoeuvring or character assassination.
Congregants must move from passive compliance to ownership, refusing to align with church politics. Practise direct grace: if there is disagreement, follow Matthew 18:15 and go directly to your brother or sister in love rather than spreading gossip. Extend radical hospitality. Break up church cliques and ensure that everyone feels welcomed and valued.
John closes with a decisive call: "Dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good." A church dominated by foolish power and internal politics will inevitably shrink and fade because the Holy Spirit does not bless human arrogance. But a church that chooses kingdom humility, where leaders serve and congregants love, becomes an unshakable lighthouse of hope.
Let us put away internal politics today, lay down our desire to be first, and imitate the servant heart of Jesus.
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Rev Dephine Murove, married to Rev Caesar Murove and currently serving at St Peters UPCSA, POZ
