This document discusses the importance of trust in the church. It provides Bible verses emphasizing trustworthiness and notes how a lack of trust can manifest, such as members concealing weaknesses and avoiding vulnerability. The document argues that true community requires vulnerability and that churches with trust admit mistakes, ask for help, accept feedback, and focus on important issues rather than politics. Members appreciate each other's skills and offer apologies without hesitation.

3. Bible verses on Trustworthiness
Psalm 5:9 NIV
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is
filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their
tongues they tell lies.
Psalm 41:9 NIV
Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared
my bread, has turned against me.

4. Absence of Trust
Church has become a show:
◦ How well I am doing professionally
◦ How well my kids are doing
◦ How good my taste is in men/women, m/vehicles, clothes, cosmetics
◦ How well I am doing spiritually
Church is now about competition
◦ We compete about how well we now scripture
◦ How many prophecies I can interpret and apply
◦ How many Priorities magazines I have handed out
◦ How many days this week my family had family worship

5. Absence of Trust
Church is no longer a hospital
◦ Sick people are afraid to come here, why?
◦ We turn our noses up at the ones perceived as sick
The church is not following Christ’s example in its entirety
◦ Jesus was naked and bare to the world yet He didn’t compromise
◦ The church hides itself from the world
◦ The church is isolated
◦ The church is afraid to mingle
◦ The church is insecure in its own security

6. What does a lack of trust look like
Members conceal their weaknesses/issues/problems from
each other
Members are hesitant to reach out for help
Members jump to conclusions about the intentions of others
without first attempting to clarify them
Members are afraid to affirm and tap into each other’s skills
and abilities
Members try unsuccessfully to manage each other’s behavior
Members hold grudges

7. Absence of Trust and Invulnerability
Ezekiel 11:19 (KJV)
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the
stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
“Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of trust”
– Brene Brown
Be willing to let go of who you think you should be and
embrace who you are
Trust is impossible when one is invulnerable

8. Connections and vulnerability
There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can
be no community without vulnerability; there can be
no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.
– M. Scott Peck
Connections give purpose and meaning to our lives
Connections come through authenticity

9. Churches that have TRUST do the
following
Admit weaknesses and mistakes
Ask for help
Accept questions and input about their areas of responsibility
Give one another the benefit of the doubt before arriving at a negative conclusion.
Take risks in offering feedback and assistance
Appreciate and tap into one another’s skills and experiences
Focus time and energy on important issues, not politics
Offer and accept apologies without hesitation
Look forward opportunities to work as a group

10. Bible verses on Trustworthiness
1 Timothy 3:11 NIV
In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious
talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
Proverbs 3:29 NIV
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
Proverbs 11:13 NIV
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.