How do we lead without manipulating?

Phil Moon  |  Features
Date posted:  7 Jan 2026
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How do we lead without manipulating?

Photo by Nycholas Benaia on Unsplash.

Note: This article contains content that may be triggering for some readers.

I recently had a really helpful call from someone, and it made me think more about manipulation in Christian ministry.

Sadly, manipulation has been, and for some people - who are on the "receiving end," still is - a crushing reality in churches. And that, especially in its extreme form, is hugely damaging. I once asked a friend to define leadership and he immediately replied “influence.” But how can we lead people, influence people, without manipulating?

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