"Empowerment" is a term that has become increasingly popular in psychology, social work, and other disciplines that deal with clients or communities. According to the psychologists, "empowerment is a process by which people, organizations, and communities gain mastery over issues of concern to them" (Rappaport, 1987, as cited in Zimmerman, 1995, p. 581). "Empowering processes are those where people create or are given opportunities to control their own destiny and influence the decisions that affect their lives. They are a series of experiences in which individuals learn to see a closer correspondence between their goals and a sense of how to achieve them, gain greater access to and control over resources, and where people, organizations, and communities gain mastery over their lives" (p. 583). According to Perkins and Zimmerman (1995), empowerment "compels us to think in terms of wellness versus illness, competence versus deficits, and strength verses weaknesses. Similarly empowerment research focuses on identifying capabilities instead of cataloguing risk factors and exploring environmental influences of social problems instead of blaming victims. Empowerment-oriented interventions enhance wellness while they also aim to ameliorate problems, provide opportunities for participants to develop knowledge and skills, and engage professionals as collaborators instead of authoritative experts" (pp. 569-570). In a nutshell, empowerment is all about helping people and communities to gain the skills and resources they need to take control of their own lives and "get well" or reach their full potential.
Many of the goals of empowerment theory are admirable. However, when thinking about what it means to empower people or communities, I couldn't help thinking about how a Biblical view of empowerment might differ from a worldly view (though there may also be some similarities). I have provided some scriptures below that relate to empowerment. As you read them, ask the following questions.
N.B. All scriptures are taken from the Amplified version of the Bible.
Phil 4:13 (Paul speaking): "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."
Eph 6:10 (Paul speaking): "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]."
Luke 10:19-20 (Jesus speaking to the 70 disciples after they had returned from a mission trip): "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
Acts 1:8 (Jesus speaking to the disciples before his ascension): "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."
Rom 15:13 (Paul speaking): "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope."
2 Cor 4:7 (Paul speaking): "However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in (frail, human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves."
2 Cor 12:9 (Paul speaking about how he had asked the Lord three times to take away his 'thorn in the flesh'): "But He said to me, My grace (My favour and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me."
Eph 3:16 (Paul speaking): "May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]."
2 Tim 1:7 (Paul speaking): "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."
Zech 4:6-7 (A prophecy given to Jeremiah concerning Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel had laid the foundation for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but there was much opposition). "... this ... is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit ... says the Lord of hosts. For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel ... you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it!"
Created: 3/5/00 Last modified: Mon Mar 7 20:49:40 EST 2005