A Ministerial Grip ?
 

One time I heard a preacher from one pentecostal movement say that another pentecostal movement went downhill because they lost their ministerial grip over their people.

Now I understand that those in leadership over God's flock have Spiritual authority and must exercise leadership when it comes to oversight of God's church,
but it there such a thing as a ministerial grip for those in leadership positions ?

Re: A Ministerial Grip ?
 

Goodness, when I read your title I thought you were talking about how they shake hands. lol

I really have no comment.

Re: A Ministerial Grip ?
 

Leadership is just that.......you are suppose to lead by example and in a shepardly way...having a grip on the congregation does not show leadership...it is a dictorship...and that never works!

Re: A Ministerial Grip ?
 

Did this preacher mean "grip" as in control over the people and their actions or "grip" meaning Godly influence and authority?

There is a difference, in my opinion. You definitely need pastoral authority and Godly influence.

I'd also add the scripture of following them as they follow Christ.

So which kind of grip was this preacher referring to?

Re: A Ministerial Grip ?
 

What you describe is a prevelant attitude among many Apostolic preachers still today. Thankfully, within the ranks of the UPC, a more spiritually mature outlook began to take hold some time back.

The loss of the "grip" or control that you mention is often caused by the saints watching as the preachers tear into one another. The results of many of these conflicts have hurt families and split or destroyed entire churches. It's kind of hard to allow a group of men to get a "grip" over your life after you've watched them throw very public a destructive temper tantrums.