In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the findings of a Gallup poll which revealed that Americans' confidence in clergy today has declined to an all-time low of 32%. Translation? Less than a third of all Americans consider clergy to be trustworthy. Ouch. The big question that follows is, “So how can we earn it back?”
Episode Links
In case you missed it, Dr. White recently blogged about this topic in an entry titled “It's a Matter of Trust.” Several other blogs related to this conversation will also be really helpful for you to to dig into. On the discussion of the shadow lives, read “Evaluating the Fruit Test.” The phrase “there but by the grace of God go I” is so common but so inadequate. Find out why in a blog titled “Why Leaders are Falling.” And finally, consider a blog that explores whether it's possible for someone to be restored to ministry after a moral failing titled “When a Pastor Falls, What Then?”
Today, the moral failings of pastors and church leaders seem to populate news feeds and socials. And it's doing so much harm to the witness of the Church. There are two podcasts we'd suggest you go back and listen to related to today's conversation: CCP4: On Pastors and Moral Failings and CCP31: On Celebrity Pastors. To help with understanding how to gain back lost trust, Dr. White recommended a book written by Henry Cloud titled, Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken.
Finally, we also want to share some articles with you that dive into the lack of trust the American public has toward organized religion and its leaders:
Lydia Saad, “Historically Low Faith in U.S. Institutions Continues,” Gallup, July 6, 2023.
Megan Brenan and Jeffrey M. Jones, “Ethics Ratings of Nearly All Professions Down in U.S.,” Gallup, January 22, 2024.
Kate Shellnutt, “Above Reproach? Fewer Americans See Pastors as Ethical,” Christianity Today, January 25, 2024.
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