The Altar & The Office: Chapter 7: The Power of Influence vs. The Pursuit of Power
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 9
- 9 min read
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." , Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
We’ve all seen it. The atmosphere in the conference room shifts the moment that person walks in. Sometimes, it’s a shift toward tension, a tightening of shoulders, a sudden caution in the conversation, the quiet sound of people mentally retreating into survival mode. That person has power. They have the title, the budget control, and the ability to make or break a career with a single email.
But then there’s the other kind of presence. When this person walks in, the room doesn’t tighten; it breathes. People don’t retreat; they lean in. This person might not have the biggest office or the "Senior" prefix on their business card, but they have something far more potent, far more durable, and infinitely more "Kingdom."
They have influence.
In our journey through The Altar & The Office, we’ve talked about the "Mind of Christ" and the sacredness of our labor. But today, we’re stepping into the engine room of leadership. Whether you are a CEO, a middle manager, a freelancer, or a stay-at-home parent, you are navigating the waters of authority every single day.
The world tells you that the goal is the pursuit of power, the climbing of the ladder, the acquisition of control, the "lording it over" those beneath you. But the Way of the Word offers a radical alternative: the stewardship of influence.
The Great Divide: Influence vs. Power
To understand why this matters, we have to define our terms. In the secular corporate world, power and influence are often used interchangeably, but in the Kingdom of God, they are worlds apart.
Power is positional. It’s given by an organization. It relies on coercion, control, and the ability to reward or punish. Power is often "taken" or "grabbed." It’s a closed-fist approach to leadership.
Influence is relational. It’s given by people. It relies on trust, character, and competence. Influence is "earned" and "granted." It’s an open-handed approach to leadership.
If you rely on power, you can only lead as far as your title reaches. If you rely on influence, you can lead from any chair in the room. Jesus was very clear about this distinction when He spoke to His disciples in Matthew 20:25-26:
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."
The phrase "lord it over" refers to a specific type of power, dominating, crushing, and self-serving. Jesus doesn't say authority is bad; He says the pursuit of power for the sake of control is not the way of His Kingdom.
The Theology of Stewardship: Authority on Loan
One of the most dangerous lies we can believe in the office is that our authority belongs to us. We think, "I worked for this degree. I put in the eighty-hour weeks. I hit the targets. This seat is mine."
But as Christians, we believe that all authority is ultimately a stewardship. In Romans 13:1, Paul reminds us that "there is no authority except that which God has established." Whether you are leading a Fortune 500 company or a small project team, that authority is on loan from the King of Kings.
When we view power as a possession, we become defensive. We worry about who is "encroaching" on our territory. We become anxious when a talented junior employee starts to shine. We use our power to protect our status.
But when we view authority as a stewardship, everything changes. We realize we are managers of God's resources, and the most precious resource He entrusts to us is people. A steward doesn't ask, "How can I use these people to make me look good?" A steward asks, "How can I use my position to help these people flourish and fulfill God’s purposes?"
The "Non-Anxious Presence": Being the Thermostat
In the 1980s, a rabbi and family systems theorist named Edwin Friedman introduced a concept that has become a cornerstone of healthy leadership: the non-anxious presence.
Friedman observed that in any "system" (a family, a church, or a corporate office), anxiety is contagious. When a crisis hits, a missed deadline, a budget cut, a PR nightmare, the anxiety levels spike. Most people become "reactive." They lash out, they blame, they freeze, or they frantically try to control everything and everyone around them.
A leader who pursues power usually reacts with more power. They demand compliance. They bark orders. They try to "force" the system back into order through sheer will.
But a leader who operates from a place of Kingdom influence becomes a non-anxious presence.
A non-anxious presence is someone who is:
Well-Differentiated: They know who they are in Christ. Their identity isn't tied to the success or failure of the meeting.
Calmly Connected: They don't withdraw in fear, but they don't get sucked into the emotional whirlpool of the group.
Trust-Anchored: They operate from a deep-seated belief that God is still on the throne, even when the quarterly reports are in the red.
In the office, you are either a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer simply reflects the temperature of the room, if everyone is panicked, you’re panicked. But a thermostat sets the temperature. By remaining calm, rooted, and prayerful, you exert a massive influence on the people around you without ever having to raise your voice.
Biblical Giants: Leading from the Middle
The Bible is packed with examples of people who held immense influence, and sometimes immense power, but navigated it through the lens of stewardship.
Daniel: Integrity in the Lion’s Den of Politics
Daniel is the gold standard for influence in a "secular" office. He served under multiple pagan kings in Babylon and Persia. He had no "Christian" HR department, no prayer room, and no legal protections for his faith. Yet, he became so influential that kings trembled at his words.
Daniel didn't seize power; he was sought after because of his "excellent spirit" (Daniel 6:3). He was a non-anxious presence. When the other advisors were panicking over the King’s impossible demands, Daniel went to prayer, came back with a calm answer, and spoke truth to power with humility.
His influence didn't come from political maneuvering; it came from a life lived so consistently before God that even his enemies couldn't find a single fault in him. He influenced the greatest empire on earth by simply being a well-differentiated servant of the Most High.
Joseph: Power for the Sake of the Field
Joseph’s story is one of the most dramatic "pursuits of power", except he never pursued it. He was sold, enslaved, and imprisoned. When he was finally elevated to the right hand of Pharaoh, he held absolute power. He could have used that power for revenge. He could have used it for self-enrichment.
Instead, he used it for stewardship. He understood that God had given him the "Throne" (the office) to save the "Field" (the people during the famine). At the end of his life, he told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). Joseph saw his power as a tool for redemption, not a trophy for his ego.
Esther: Strategic Influence in the Shadows
Esther is a fascinating case of someone who had "positional power" (Queen) but very little "legal power" (she could be killed for approaching the King). Her victory didn't come from a power play; it came from relational influence and prayerful timing.
She didn't storm into the throne room screaming about injustice. She fasted, she prayed, she invited the King to dinner, and she built a bridge of influence that eventually saved an entire nation. She stewarded her beauty, her position, and her intelligence for a Kingdom end.
The Spiritual Trap: The Pursuit of Power
If influence is the goal, why do we so often find ourselves chasing power?
The pursuit of power is almost always rooted in fear.
We fear we won't be respected unless we have the title.
We fear we won't be safe unless we control the resources.
We fear the project will fail if we don't micromanage every detail.
This is the "Babel Complex." In Genesis 11, the people said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves."
When we try to "make a name for ourselves" in the office, we start to clench our fists. We hold onto information. We take credit for others' work. We view colleagues as competitors. And the result is always the same: anxiety.
The more power you try to grab and hold, the more anxious you become about losing it. But influence is different. Influence is like a flame, when you use it to light someone else's candle, your light doesn't diminish; the whole room just gets brighter.
Cultural Discernment: The "Influencer" vs. The Influential
We live in the age of the "Social Media Influencer," but we must be careful not to confuse digital metrics with Kingdom influence.
A social media influencer often seeks attention.
A Kingdom leader seeks transformation.
The world's version of influence is often about "personal branding", polishing the exterior to look powerful. Kingdom influence is about "personal character", polishing the interior so that Christ shines through.
In your office, people are tired of "brands." They are tired of bosses who use them as stepping stones. They are hungry for leaders who are real, who take the blame when things go wrong, and who give away the credit when things go right. That kind of influence is rare, and because it’s rare, it’s incredibly powerful.
Practical Application: How to Lead from the Middle
You might be reading this thinking, "That’s great, Layne, but I’m an entry-level analyst. I don't have power or influence."
I want to challenge that. You have more influence than you realize. Here is how you can begin to steward it today:
Master the "Check-In" Before the "Check-Up": Before you ask a teammate for a status report (the "check-up"), ask them how they are doing (the "check-in"). Influence is built in the margins of human connection.
Be the Calmest Person in the Room: When the server goes down or the client is screaming, take a breath. Whisper a quick prayer. Offer a solution with a steady voice. People naturally follow the person who isn't panicking.
Audit Your Motives: Ask yourself, "Am I upset because this decision is bad for the company, or because it makes me look less important?" Truthful answers lead to spiritual growth.
Give Away Your "Best" Ideas: If you have a great idea, share it in a way that allows the whole team to own it. When you aren't worried about who gets the credit, you become the person everyone wants to work with.
Practice "Self-Differentiation": Learn to say, "I hear your anxiety, and I understand why this is stressful, but I am choosing to stay focused on the next right step." You don't have to carry the office's emotional baggage to be a good coworker.
Reflection Questions
Think of a leader you've worked for who had "power" but no "influence." How did that affect your work?
Think of a person in your life who has "influence" without a "title." What qualities do they possess that you want to emulate?
In which areas of your current job are you "clencing your fists" (trying to control) rather than "opening your hands" (stewarding)?
How would your workday change if you viewed every meeting as an opportunity to be a "non-anxious presence" for Christ?
A Prayer for the Influential Steward
Lord, I thank You for the position You have placed me in. Whether I am at the top of the ladder or on the first rung, I recognize that my authority is a gift and a stewardship from You. Forgive me for the times I have chased power for my own glory or used control to mask my fear. Help me to be a non-anxious presence in my office this week. Give me the wisdom of Daniel, the heart of Joseph, and the courage of Esther. May my influence be a reflection of Your character, and may my work bring light to the dark corners of my industry. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Chapter Takeaway
Kingdom leadership isn't about how many people report to you; it’s about how many people are better off because they know you. True power is the ability to serve, and true influence is the result of a life lived with integrity.
Next-Step Action: Identify one person at work this week who is currently "under" you (formally or informally) and find a way to use your influence to help them succeed, without taking any credit for it.
We’ve seen what happens when we lead with the heart of a servant. But what happens when that service is met with betrayal? In the next chapter, we’re going to tackle one of the hardest realities of the office: Chapter 8: Leading Through the Valley – Integrity When You’re Undermined.
If you’ve ever done the right thing and still got blamed for it, the next chapter is for you.
How much of your leadership is built on the sand of your title, and how much is built on the rock of your character?
Author Bio: Layne McDonald, Ph.D. Dr. Layne McDonald is a dedicated author, educator, and minister with a passion for helping people integrate their faith into every aspect of their lives. With a background in theology and leadership, he specializes in creating resources that bridge the gap between biblical truth and modern culture. His work is rooted in the Assemblies of God tradition and focuses on discipleship, emotional healing, and practical Christian living. Through his books and teaching, Dr. McDonald aims to equip believers to lead with wisdom, grace, and eternal purpose.
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