Friendship as a Costly Gift: A Theological Account of Ecclesial Power, Role-Based Asymmetry, and Boundary Work

Friendship–leadership constitutes an innovative and theologically grounded praxis of ecclesial influence that may, under specific conditions, function within role-based power asymmetries. Locating friendship–leadership within a broader typology of power, this paper develops this kenotic mode of influence as power exercised with others and for their good. The particular pragmatic challenge posed by asymmetry inherent in professionalised roles of ecclesial leadership is then addressed through an account of boundary work as the discernment of contextualised rules of art by which friendship–leadership may remain attentive to extant power dynamics.