Power, theology and ecclesiology in practice

Christian denominations worldwide experience conflict and power struggles about acceptance of gay and lesbian people. Prevention of sexual and child abuse in the churches is a major emphasis; abuse of power is an underlying cause. What modes of power are consistent with our understanding of God’s power and of church? Churches need to develop a theology of power as the basis of changes in practice.This study contributes a power theology consistent theology and ecclesiology of the Uniting Church in Australi, via three years’ participant-observation of three UCA councils (district, state, national) engaged in the “sexuality debate”. Her theoretical framework (modes of power, metaphors for God, and models of church) analysed statements in debates and interviews. A typology for a theology of power consistent with UCA theological and polity statements resulted.Audiences for the study are theologians, leaders, members, policy make, those developing codes of ethics and strategies for preventing the abuse of power in churches It could be useful to other denominations involved in ideological conflict and power struggles.