I find it hard to understand why players complain about the empowerment. Having a couple of empowerment characters in my sleeves already, I felt I took a more active role when I play an empowered character than a normal one. A priest is all about preaching and thus, this gives me more opportunity to interact with gods and players.

For a priest, empowerment is a privilege. To be favoured by your god gives extra prayers and skills. Otherwise you are just a lowly acolyte. I mean if I'm playing a warrior or necro and I wanted that skill/spell, I'll be more focused on ranking. But as an empowered character I'll spend more time delving into the divine part. To be empowered, a priest-to-be has to act out the will of his god and be a leading example of how faith into reality is all about.

As for me, empowerment means:
1. Lots of opportunities for Immteraction and spotlight.
2. My Imm have to take time to know my character and interact. Being said, he/she has to put aside their work just for me.
3. An opportunity to get tattoo-ed. Since the said Imm is following me and watching me, chances of tattoo-ing is also good.
4. Putting the divine part in a role. I mean why would you react to something in your life, unless there is some beliefs/religious issues that have arose. This is of course my own opinion.
5. Taking time to reflect on what I want for my character.
6. Not everybody's cup of tea. But having said, everyone should play an empowerment character once.

Don't change empowerment. It is a very good tool for certain classes and I like it that way. As Valg said it, it's a personal touch to a character.