Power in a congregation can be looked at in many ways. Some power relates directly to the office an individual holds in the formal structure. More forms of power exist quite independent of the formal distribution of authority. Here are some ways to envision categories of power:
COALITIONAL POWER is the power a group of like-minded people have within a system. They have the advantage of numbers. They speak with one voice on an issue. Individuals with coalitional power know how to 'work the group'
REPUTATIONAL POWER is the power held by the people with high credibility in the congregation. They may no longer hold formal structural power, but the system still defers to him/her, listens attentively when he/she speaks, and is likely to go along unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
COMMUNICATIONAL POWER is the power to retrieve accurate information about a system and the power to spread information throughout the system. 'Gatekeepers' who determine who should know what have communicational power.
STRUCTURAL POWER is in the hands of those who occupy significant roles or positions in the church.
SYMBOLIC POWER is the power of those who perform symbolic acts / rituals, including the power of preaching, prayer, etc.
EXPERTISE POWER is similar to reputational, but more mechanical, more tied to a particular area in which one has expertise: 'Sid is the only one who knows how to work the boiler'
VICTIM POWER. By assuming the stance of the [perennial] victim, the one to whom things are done, the victim is allowed the power to manipulate without being accountable.
You can use this resource with leaders in the church or with a JNAC by asking folk to identify what forms of power they think they possess—and what forms of power others have [this is best done if the 'others' are in the room, like the Board or Council. The tool then serves both for assessment purposes and as a method to enact clear direct communication.