Jon Goodwin

Power Imbalances

I want to state that I am unapologetically pro law enforcement.  I have close friends in the law enforcement world who are serve at a federal level as well as at the local level.  I have multiple family members who have served as military police, and I have a son who plans to enroll into the law enforcement academy.  As I previously stated I am unapologetically pro law enforcement.  I believe there are wonderful men and woman who serve and protect our communities every day and I am thankful for each and every one of them. 

These positions of authority that call upon men and woman of the job to carry a badge, cuffs, and a gun are not without limits.  They cannot operate with impunity.  Those who serve well understand this.   They know that they possess power.  In fact, all who are leaders and have authority live in the dichotomy of a power imbalance.  Power imbalances in and of themselves are not wrong.  Teacher and students are another example of a power imbalance.  A principal and a teacher is another.  They exist.  It isn’t wrong that they do.  However, power imbalance without limit is tyranny.  We know this and we believe this.  We have seen it in nearly every segment of society.  Clergy who abuses his flock in any manner is guilty of this.

My credentials as a clergy do not give me permission to abuse those in my care.  A teacher’s credentials do not give them permission to abuse those in their care.  The same is true of law enforcement.  More power means there must be more self-control.  More power means there must be more self-awareness.  More power means there must be more accountability.  It does not matter what you are armed with is you live in a power imbalance: words, grade books, or guns, you have a higher standard to follow.  The professions that I listed, clergy, teachers, law enforcement, all must adhere to a higher standard.  For these jobs are more than jobs.  They are callings of service, entrusted by communities to those who possess the power for the betterment of the community.  These jobs are not for those who fill the positions but rather for those that are served.  They are high callings.

James 3.1 says, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement.”  It is my belief that the author of this epistle is specifically speaking to those who would teach in the church.  These teachers could do great good but also have opportunity to do great harm.  Those who inflict harm will answer for it.  If you are granted a position of authority, you better make sure you get it right.  I believe we can apply this truth to all who live in the power imbalance.  

In the Spiderman movie there is a scene where Uncle Ben is dropping off Peter (Spiderman) after giving him a ride.  In short conversation with Peter Uncle Ben drops the following truths that are still true of all of us.

“These are the years a man changes into the man he is going to become for the rest of his life.  Just be careful who you change into.”

We do not get to hand out injustices and blame anyone but ourselves.  Proper training and sometimes proper therapy are a must.  I have a number of men in my life that I know I can call when I feel the heat on me.  I even have a therapist for when times get really hard.  If I mess up, lots of people get hurt.  I must pursue health.  I possess influence and therefore I also possess responsibility to change properly. There is no one to blame but me when my actions and words harm those entrusted to my care.

“Just because can beat him up doesn’t give you the right to.”

Many times, as a parent my wife and I have said to our kids, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”  I don’t remember getting this from Ben Parker, but it is a truth that we live by in our home.   These words also echo of the truths found in the sermon on the mount where Jesus said, “You have heard it said…but I say…”  He was saying that the way of the Christ follower is not the same way as cultural norms.  Cultural norms serve as protectors and permission givers but often protect those who would protect wrongdoing and give permission to awful things.  The Jim Crow laws were legal but hardly were they right.  Redlining was policy but it was hardly just.  Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

“Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

The beauty of living in a power imbalance is that you are given an opportunity to bless people.  You get to add value to their lives.  You get to offer security and safety.  You get to provide for needs that would have gone unmet.  You get to restore dignity.  Sadly, not all choose to do this.  And they will incur a stricter judgement.  

Jon Goodwin

Love God, Love Others…Love Other Stuff

Discernment is a word that has created some confusion in my life.  Not because I don’t know what it means but rather because of its absence.  I have known many who I would view as wise discerning people that lose all semblance of that definition when it comes to politics.  If I might be frank, I would also add that I have lost a ton of respect for people that I once viewed as discerning in the last few years.  

What is the reason for this?  My belief won’t sit well with many but as a pastor and someone who has spent my entire life in and around Christian organizations and Christian people it is my belief that a large portion of Christendom does not have a biblical world view.  Before you get mad at me, please understand that I am not alone in that perspective.  In fact, the Barna Group conducted research and concluded that only 17% of practicing Christians have a biblical worldview.  Many have a world view that is by in large shaped by opinions that they have sprinkled a little Bible on top.  It is my belief that for many their discipleship and formation has been crafted not by the Word of God but by partisan party politics and by their cable news channel of choice. It is my belief that many do not find their identity in Christ as much as they find their identity in a man-made system.  

The idea that we are aliens and strangers and that this world is not our home seems have gotten lost in 2025 American Christianity and the reason for this is because many would define themselves as American Christians rather than simply Christian or Christ follower.  Many of these folks loudly speak of loving God and country when the Word of God clearly speaks not of loving God and country but rather of loving God and neighbor.  These are two wildly different things.  And wildly different because my neighbors and I have a much different view of what our country is supposed to look like.  

If Jesus was serious of what He spoke of in Matthew 22 then loving God is to be our primary objective, loving our neighbor is a close second, and everything else is pretty far down the list.  As a person who claims to be a Christ follower, when my politics grant me permission to mistreat those I disagree with, this is a red flag that my allegiance to country has surpassed my allegiance to my Savior.  When this happens, I have violated the commandment, “You shall have no other God’s before me.”

When loving country outweighs loving neighbor, this is where you find republicans sitting in the diner verbally trashing the democrats or the democrats in the coffee shop verbally trashing the republicans.  When loving country outweighs loving neighbor, talking points become signs placed in front yards and neighbors with different perspectives become enemies.  Why is that?  Because when idols are attacked, idolators must defend them.  

On the flip side, when love of neighbor takes precedence over love of country, and a country abuses its citizens, this is when we are to rise up.  The Bible is littered with references about caring for those who are most vulnerable amongst us. 

I 100% recognize that what I am writing here is controversial in many circles and none more so than the circle I live in.  Over the past few years, I have had people that I thought were in my circle turn on me because they disagreed with something I said about politics or simply had a different perspective than they.  They allowed views of country to ruin a friendship.  In several of those cases, I was stunned.  

I have long been concerned that those who claim Christian as their banner have been way more vocal about what they were against than what they were for.  This should never be.  Our hearts must be positioned towards people.  When this idea holds a proper place in our hearts it is here that we find common ground.  It is here that people feel loved, valued, and safe.  You and I should not have to agree on much for us to be able to treat one another with dignity and kindness.  After all, it is at the core of our belief system…or is it?

That being said, I love America.  I am thankful to be an American.  Despite her flaws, I still believe she is a great nation, and I am blessed to be here.  My goal, make America a little better everyday by serving and loving my fellow man in the name of Jesus.  My God didn’t call me to change the world, but I do believe when I live out His Word, He can change someone’s else world.  So, I will keep living, loving, and serving.