3 Types of Authority

A leader operates with 3 types of authority - formal, relational and spiritual. Seek to cultivate relational authority with others, let spiritual authority develop through the spiritual disciplines and allow formal authority to come.

Formal authority:

Formal authority comes as a result of a position. For example, a pastor has the authority to allocate resources, speak on behalf of the church, etc.
It is CONFERRED upon people. This means once someone demonstrates the desire, skill and level of competence, the formal authority is given to them with specific rights and responsibilites.
It is better to operate out of relational authority than formal authority.

Relational authority:

Relational authority means having enough relationship with someone that you can speak correction into their lives. For example, if a complete stranger tells you that you are doing something wrong, offense is usually taken. However, if a friend speaks correction into our lives, becuase we know and trust them, we are able to hear the correction.
Relational authority is occurs by establishing trust + respect over time.
Work towards, and operate out of, relational authority rather than formal authority with people. People will follow.

Spiritual authority:

Spiritual authority is supernatural. You know when you encounter it. It comes from a depth of soul that spends time with God. It is only given by God.
Spiritual authority is obtained by doing the spiritual disciplines / practices like prayer, study, etc.