Do You Trust Me?
The introduction for a religious group read: “Our council of trusted pastors…”
My first thoughts were…Oh, really?! My cynicism could be due to the multiple and recent high level disclosures across all sectors of society. Maybe my opinions are being shaped by some of my real-world interactions with people who feel differently. They articulate their perceptions, thoughts, and sharing personal examples, that Christians and the church are not held in high regard.
The Twitter-realm is overpopulated with church scandals and accusations of abuse. Societal distrust in Christian leaders & churchgoers is in a doldrum. A recent Barna study (2/2022) blueprints a credibility crisis for church leaders. The author summarizes the crisis this way: “Pastors, for the most part, are peripheral and ornamental. Quaint, but not entirely necessary. Kind, but not wholly credible.”
Q/A - Wherever you are a leader, your effectiveness depends on being trusted, and being trustworthy. Is it too simplistic to ask if you will take some personal time in prayer and reflection, to ask the Lord to show you how you might lead in a more trustworthy manner? …how your ministry team might lead? I Thessalonians 2:10
Our present society trusts search engines more than our news media, and almost as much as social media sources. The global communications firm that partners with businesses & organizations, Edelman, has stated that: “Distrust is now society’s default emotion.” And, that the majority of Americans say that we are at a point where “people are incapable of having constructive and civil debates about issues they disagree on.” At this stage, society lacks the ability to debate or collaborate on issues.
Q/A - Are we defusing the social fears and hostility around us as redeemed women and men of God, by listening well, by collaborating wisely (and widely)…by living out Romans 12:8 daily?
Expanding the theme of credible contextualization further, Rebecca McLaughlin’s, The Secular Creed, launches an interesting approach on how we - the community of Christians - can engage with 5 contemporary claims. Jasmine Holmes calls it a “powerful biblical corrective.” Christine Caine says, “It’s incredible.” The author’s intention is that it leaves the reader both, “humbled and empowered.” So, among all of today’s hot button issues, how do (can) we constructively converse with others about topics like BLM, or “Love is Love”, or Gay rights, or Women’s rights or Transgender…on their journey to saving grace? Not with hammers or markers (a nod to the book).
Q/A - Are we willing to step back from a posture of privilege, asking God to reveal ways that we have failed to follow Jesus Christ in his treatment of women, and his treatment of the marginalized? Of our prejudices - racial, sexual or socio-economic? And repent of the ways, and times, we have failed?
We can reclaim credibility, as Christ followers, by growing in godliness and living humbly among people. By loving God and loving our neighbor. Being kind to the ungrateful and the wicked, because God Himself was kind to us…when we ourselves were ungrateful and wicked! As McLaughlin concludes her book, “Let’s fight with love and sing the song with which we’ll one day overcome. Can you hear it?”
Dave Manske
Missions Mobilizer