Trust - it’s the
foundation for living life and doing ministry. Trust is the critical component for healthy and
effective families and churches. “As trust within an organization increases, so do
output, moral, productivity and loyalty,” reports business strategist David
Horsager in his book, The
Trust Edge.He suggest 8 pillars for building (or rebuilding) trust
with the people you lead. Do these principles transfer to your life and the church
world? You bet!
At a recent Retreat we took stock of ourselves in trust issues. How do you
rate in these trust-building qualities?
Clarity. People trust others
who provide clear communication. Whether it’s vision for a new ministry,
program goals, or what you put in your coffee—make it clear.
Compassion. It’s why everyone
likes Mother Teresa. You don’t have to be a saint to show people you care.
Character. Do what’s right, not
what’s easy. This may be a deal breaker if you don’t show your team biblical
integrity.
Competency. You don’t have to be
an expert is everything, but make sure you stay on top of your primary ministry
focus.
Contribution. People want to trust
that you’ll get the job done. And done right. Don’t settle for less than your
best.
Commitment. The quickest way to
build trust is to make and keep your commitments.
Connection. It’s all about
relationships. Connect with those you lead—as friends. Volunteers will walk
away from a task sooner than they’ll abandon a relationship.
Consistency. It’s why we trust
Burger King. We get the same food in Tokyo as in Nebraska. Leadership
consistency lets people know you’re dependable.
Which of these trust-builders you
demonstrate most? ______
Which ones need improvement?
__________________________
