Power and Privilege By Andrea Leigh Capuyan

A Steward’s Perspective on Power and Privilege

Power and privilege in the life of a leader must be understood and scrutinized if we wish to steward goodness and beauty in our relationships, organizations, and society. I reflect on the state of the modern world; I am struck by how easily we are flippant about the harm we perpetuate. There can be selfish, demanding attitudes that fortify our resistance to God’s rule. Understanding these attitudes is of utmost importance in the face of current leadership challenges. If we operate from ignorance, it is to our detriment.

Power

Becoming a stewarding leader does not relieve us of responsibility. Embracing a steward mindset crystalizes our responsibilities because we understand what is under our control, where our boundaries are, and what our power limitations are. A steward leader does have power and influence. These are gifts entrusted to our care, and God appoints the steward to leverage power responsibly and humbly.

There are dangers. We can adopt a fatalistic attitude, denying our influence on another person’s life. Humility does not equal inaction. “Let go and let God” does not reflect the wise stewarding of power and decision-making. False humility is perhaps rooted in a fear that denies our impact on events and people. It is deceiving because, amid good circumstances, we might wish to claim, “That’s not me – that’s God,” thinking that we are appropriately giving God glory – not centering attention on us. Yet, when everything goes wrong, are we, like Adam, blaming God? Passivity is not humility or godliness. As stewards, we are meant to join Him in His work. Actively working – powerful agents – acutely aware of God’s ultimate authority.

Stewarding power begins with recognizing that we are actors in God’s story. Our choices matter—to Him, to us, and to others. He created us to take meaningful action in life. That is part of the essential nature of stewardship—we are given the power to act and should act. Sadly, in times of uncertainty or wrongdoing, we often follow Adam and Eve’s example and hide. Withdrawal does not absolve us of critical decision-making and action.

Faithful stewards do not throw their power away. Faithful stewards understand how they act powerfully in life. They recognize the good they cultivate and confront the harm they cause. They know how others experience their authority. Are they open and inviting? Do they empower others? This is the nature of stewarding Godly power. Faithful stewards act with conscious action. They embrace authority and humility.

Privilege

For me, it is far more comfortable to discuss power than privilege. I think it is because I often fail to view privilege from the perspective of a steward. Stewardship is about orientation, and that orientation is that God owns everything. We have no rights or claims of ownership.

Stewards cannot act from a ‘better than’ mentality. Whether we are naively acting as a rescuer or oppressively acting as a micro-manager, if we operate with a ‘controlling interest’ in the lives of others, we are usurping God’s role. Privileged actions, attitudes, and beliefs block us from aligning with God’s ‘controlling interest’ in our lives. It can be a deceptive area of resistance to God because it is an ownership mentality hidden underneath our thoughts of – ‘what do I think I am owed?’.

A steward identity encompasses a view of my life, history, and future. I examine my past to understand my present thoughts and actions better rather than stay stuck. This path invites God to change me. Self-examination reveals what I take for granted or perhaps reveals a blind spot.

My gender, role, class, ethnicity, race, and legacy- these pieces of me are not to be minimized or ignored. These pieces matter in my interactions. These pieces mold my real-world experiences. These pieces are an essential part of who I am. They are a gift to be welcomed, understood, and shared – not to be possessed. Like power, we can abuse these gifts. Any possessive or privileged belief left unconfessed leads to selfish and self-protective behavior. We cut ourselves off from others. My thoughts about my privilege and entitlement undermine God’s design that we are made to act in communion with others.

Values

Stewarding relationships WITH others and building community requires honest vulnerability – exposing our weaknesses and needs. We recognize that each one of us has a need, and each one has a contribution. Stewards build systems, organizations, and communities that actively work for the best interests of others. This is not martyrdom – it is interdependency on one another. It is not minimization; stewarding relationships well invites us to courageously acknowledge our sin and actively seek to correct our wrong actions. We create communities that empower healthy, helping relationships – listening and learning about another person’s needs.

Steward leaders build values-driven communities rather than shoring up systems rooted in fear and mistrust. An ‘owner mentality’ creates rules and policies centered on allegiance, loyalty, and acquiescence to maintain control. The controlling leader inflicts an atmosphere of chaos and defensiveness. Calm and mature thinking are a threat. Faithful stewards govern with a mind of peace, seeking the flourishing of all. Their curiosity and observation lead them to thoughtfulness. The mindset of the faithful steward is self-sacrifice, transcending personal ambition for the goodness of others.

Stewards live in the calling of 2 Corinthians 5:17 – 21, chosen as ambassadors of reconciliation. Stewards are new creatures, inhabitants of a new kingdom. In their relationships, stewards are God’s agents of justice, mercy, and selflessness – reflecting His kingdom values. An essential piece of the Gospel is the death of our entitlement and God’s resurrecting renewal. This is not the absence of who we were; instead, it is the restoration of God’s design, making our unique pieces more beautiful. This begins with a posture of humility before God – releasing our privilege.

An Invitation Just For You

Journal any attitudes that make you think you are “better than” or “less than” others. What do you think others owe you? What do you think God owes you? Who is helping you release those demands?
What does your leadership governance look like? How do your policies and procedures reflect godly values and virtues?
Where is fear, blame, or inaction keeping you stuck? What do you need today from God and others? What can you give today?
How are you creating a community of justice and mercy?

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Andrea Leigh Capuyan serves on the board of the Center for Steward Leader Studies and is the executive director of the LPC. This local ministry helps individuals impacted by unintended pregnancy, reproductive loss, and post-abortion recovery. She also provides coaching and consultation, assisting others in experiencing abundance as leaders. Andrea is a Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) with the Christian Leadership Alliance and holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from York University.