Trust

We can examine our lives to make sure that we are honest and trustworthy; that we walk in truth by telling the truth. Proverbs 11 talks about being a person who can be trusted:
12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

The ESV uses the phrase, "he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered."  That doesn't mean to hide something; rather to be someone who maintains confidentiality, when it is necessary or requested.  We can find ourselves speaking too much, rather than listening to people with whom God has called us to interact.  By exercising discretion and upholding honesty and empathy, we can be people whom God will use to minister effectively.

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A challenge for us as believers is to exemplify the nature of Christ - we can totally trust Him and Him alone, but by His power, we can seek to be trustworthy people. 1st Corinthians 4 states:
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

On this "Survey Thursday," I want to take some results and kind of turn them around to point to each of us.  A new survey examines the subject of trust and types of people who are trustworthy - already this opens the door to generalization, but I think this information can be instructive as we think about the type of people we want to be.

So, here goes...from Christianity Today:

According to a new Gallup survey, the country’s perception of pastors fell to a record low in 2018.

Fewer than half of American Christians (42%) believe clergy have “high” or “very high” standards of honesty and ethics, according to breakouts provided to CT.

Also, the article says, among those who self-identify as Christians, 43% say that the "ethical standards" of ministers is average, with 12% saying they are “low” or “very low.”

The Christianity Today piece offers this summary:

Among Americans as a whole, trust in the clergy fell to 37 percent, making it the eighth-most-trusted profession in the country—ranking below multiple medical professions, teachers, and police and just above journalists and building contractors.

The ratings, according to the story, coincide with revelations of sexual misconduct among those in clergy positions.

And, at the bottom of the heap: members of Congress; 58% of Americans give them "low" or "very low" ratings; 55% of Christians do.  Telemarketers and car salespeople are near the bottom, as well.

Rated just below clergy among those professions that were tested were journalists.  CT points out that: "Journalists see the most even split, with about a third of Americans giving them high ratings for their honesty and ethical standards, a third giving them average ratings, and a third giving them low ratings."  Oddly enough, the percentage giving journalists a "high" or "very high" rating rose 10 points over 2016.

Well, we have to recognize that there are certain perceptions of various professions; but our identity is not found in what we do, but who we are.  I think we should avoid characterizing entire groups of people based on our perceptions.  I am thankful for those who labor in pastoral ministry, who devote countless hours to prayer, to studying God's word, to counseling, and being on call 24/7.  These are champions of the body of Christ, and they should be affirmed.  Sure, there are areas in which we have seen our clergy fall short, but we recognize that this is an institution established by God, and He has placed some incredible people in those positions.

We also can be challenged to live as people who can be trusted.  Humility, authenticity, followthrough - these are just some of the contributing factors to building trust.  We should strive, with God's power to walk in honesty.  Christ can enable us to be people who keep our promises, who do what we say we will do.

And, finally, we acknowledge that if we are in a profession with a poor perception, we may have to try harder.  We don't have to live out the norm or maintain the status quo.  Whatever the profession to which God has called us, we can seek to give Him the glory.