Trust

The Oxford dictionary defines “trust” as “Firm belief in reliability, honesty, veracity, justice, strength etc.” Throughout our lives we learn to trust or distrust, according to the experiences we have with others. At one end of the spectrum, we can have absolute, unfailing, 100 per cent trust in someone or something; at the opposite end we may find an attitude of cynicism and suspicion.

We trust our husbands and wives with our well-being. Children trust their parents to care for their best interests. We trust medical practitioners and hospital systems with our health, even our lives. We trust police and law enforcement agencies with the task of public safety. We trust politicians and government agencies to administer a country and its resources in the national interest.

Or we should be able to.

And we trust churches. (I speak here of the church visible – the local church institution.)

Or we should be able to.

A lot of trust is placed in churches. There is the assumption that what is practised and taught within a church is of God. People give many things to churches. They give commitment. They give time. They give volunteer labour. They give tithes and offerings. They do so sometimes without question, believing that they are contributing to the kingdom of God. Churches are also places where people share information about themselves of a personal nature and this too represents a great trust.

Fifty years ago, my parent’s generation held  respect for those in prominent public positions –police officers, the mayor of the town, the local minister, the family doctor, the businessmen who led the local chamber of commerce. Many of my generation do not. Why has this trust been eroded? Perhaps scandals always occurred, but today there is far more scrutiny of and publicity for those in public office.

A pastor I once knew used to talk about three major temptations facing those in ministry (and many other folk as well). They were “the gals, the gold and the glory.” Sexual misconduct, financial impropriety and lust for power and prestige were three areas where a life could be completely derailed.

The church is no stranger to scandals involving those three things. We’ve all heard of big names who have come crashing down, while the watching non-Christian world points the finger.

Yet in many cases, trust in a church is undermined in much less spectacular fashion. In my work in health we talk sometimes about “workplace culture” – how the accepted culture of a workplace can, over time, impact a service for better or worse. What is acceptable sometimes becomes the norm. If we begin to cut corners or disregard procedures others may well do the same, which undermines the service as a whole.

Satan is always at work in churches, sometimes in spectacular fashion, but more often in subtle forms. We all have weaknesses which satan is at great pains to exploit. We are tempted in a multitude of ways - with sensual attractions, financial and other incentives, pride, hurt, desire for prestige and importance. Gossip and criticism are often not given the attention that they deserve in a church, for they can be white ants that completely undermine individuals and ministries. Apathy and failure to voice concerns (to the appropriate person only) also contribute to a passive acceptance of unacceptable behaviour.

Small cogs can turn the wheels of motion ever so slightly away from a direct course along the straight and narrow road.

But there is no need to be disheartened! God has overcome the forces of evil. He alone is the one and only trustworthy keeper of our lives and souls. People will fail us, but God never fails. We will fail ourselves and others, but He can use even our frailties, mistakes and hurts if we turn to Him in repentance and trust.

We are far less likely to stumble into error, both individually and as a church, if we honour God and cherish our relationship with Him first and foremost. In humility we need to remind ourselves of all He has done and continues to do daily. We read His word, the Bible, and He is revealed ever more deeply. We come to Him in prayer and He communes with us, encouraging and guiding. His Spirit, the Parakletos, the One who comes alongside, is our constant companion, our source of strength and power.

Involvement in a church is desired by God. (Hebrews 10:25). We trust in God for His presence and working in our lives. We trust our church to equip us and build us up in our faith in order to serve one another and fulfil our commission to reach out to non-believers with the gospel of Jesus Christ. God places His trust in us to serve one another in love and to be His witnesses in this world. In that sense it is a sacred trust. We have the responsibility to behave to the best of our ability in our church in ways which uphold this trust.

Dear Heavenly Father God, we give You all the honour and glory that is Yours alone. Thank You that we can trust You completely with our hearts, souls and lives. I acknowledge before You that there are many ways in which I have failed You in my church life and responsibilities. Help me to be worthy Father, of the calling which You have given me to be Your witness to those who do not as yet know You, as well as to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ through the power of Your loving Holy Spirit. I pray for my local church, as well as Your greater church body throughout this world, for Your anointing and discernment to resist the attacks of the evil one to undermine what You are doing to bring souls into Your kingdom. May we honour You and serve You above all other things. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen