No Trust

Americans for the most part are losing trust in most everything. Once upon a time, Americans trusted institutions like police, medical professionals, and even the church. No longer. Americans trusted institutions at a 48% level in 1979 and only a 26% level in 2023. (Gallup, JULY 6, 2023).

It is interesting that the institution that Americans trust the most is “small businesses” at 65%, but even that trust has slid 5 points in just two years. At the lowest end of the trust meter… drum roll… congress! They have a trust rating of just 8%.

Trust of pastors and religious leaders has also eroded steadily. It sits now at just 32%. And this makes it hard on those of us who are pastors who wish to abide by the Bible’s command to leaders, “Now the overseer is to be above reproach,” (1 Tim 3:1). 

Where will this ultimately leave us as a country? By our nature, we are a species who need to trust each other. Think about anything of value that you wish to build, create, or protect. It requires people to come together and trust each other. And think about a major war. None of us wants a war, but if it comes, you had better be a people who are able to trust each other.

Sobering. My hope is for some sort of change. But this must begin with people leading lives that earn trust. May God empower us.