Trustworthy ...

Tuesday, March 24, 2015. Trustworthiness is an interesting quality. It is a key characteristic of humans. What does it consist of? What is it that makes you trustworthy - in contrast to someone you cannot trust?

What makes you trustworthy? …

It is a good point, a good question! Do trustworthy people never change their opinion? They do. It is not about never changing. It is not about always saying the same thing. It is not about being particularly conservative or having a particular style.

It is interesting what makes people trustworthy. It is not about never saying negative things. Trustworthy people are able to tell you what you are doing wrong - and it is no problem. Trustworthy people can even let you down occasionally - also that is not the problem!

Trustworthyness is about the basic attitude which people have towards you. It is about you knowing that they want you to do well - and that they will support you with all basic steps which are needed. It does not mean that you get always all what you want. But you know they are in a positive and supportive mode when it comes to you personally.

Trustworthy Leaders in the Church …

The New Testament formulates criteria on trustworthiness when it comes to leadership in the church. The apostle Paul writes to Titus about it:

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint1 elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

(Titus 1, 5-9)

It is also a layer of trustworthiness to know and teach sound doctrine. It means to live sound doctrine as well. That does not mean you are perfect! On the contrary. It means you know your weaknesses, and you live with them in full dignity and faith. Trustworthiness includes honesty, humility and love as integral ingredients. (RWEP) ... more texts