Hi. Consider a couple scenarios with me.1
First there’s a plumber. He has been called to look at a problem that the homeowner cannot fix. In fact, the homeowner isn’t even sure of the main issue; she just knows there’s water where there shouldn’t be. The plumber takes a look, and being very conscientious, he gives the whole system an inspection. He quickly identifies the cause of the leak but also finds another the owner has not noticed yet. Further, he observes one more trouble spot that would soon become a headache if left alone.
In the second scenario, there’s a preacher. He has been called to shepherd the congregation. He provides spiritual care, prays, counsels, leads teams, develops people and ministries, and of course, preaches on most Sundays. Now, all of those shepherding interactions will play into how he prepares a message, along a great many resources and years of study. He has a unique understanding of how to apply God’s word to that congregation—what will bring comfort and what needs to be challenged.
The plumber will prepare a report and speak to the homeowner. He will tell what he sees and what he thinks she ought to do. And he has a choice.
The preacher will prepare a message and speak to the congregation. He will tell what he sees and what he thinks people ought to do. And he has a choice.
The preacher and the plumber both have information the people they will address do not have. So, they will both ask their hearers to trust them about their recommendations.
The plumber might choose to communicate only what the owner wants to hear. Maybe he will give the full report. Or maybe he will add recommendations for work that is altogether unnecessary.
The preacher might choose to just play the hits, the themes that always get a hearty “Amen!” Maybe he will declare the difficult truths along with the easier ones. Or maybe, he will replace God’s thoughts and intents with his own.
In both these scenarios, there is an information asymmetry. One knows something the other does not and would find it difficult to verify. Both trade on trust and they know it. When they open their mouths to speak, what will come out? What is wanted? What is needed? Or maybe, they will speak that which only heightens the demand for their own services.
We would like to think that truth is the controlling principle in these cases, but it is not. It is integrity. Oh, there is truth, it exists. Likewise, there are probably multiple ways to deliver and apply the truth. But it is the integrity of the one who delivers it that makes all the difference.
We would like to think that truth is the controlling principle in these cases, but it is not. It is integrity.
Now, I am not suggesting that the work of pastors and plumbers is the same. Duh. What I’m trying to get at is an idea that applies to all of us. At some point, we all trade on trust. Most of the time, what we say can be verified, but not all the time. Auto mechanics, doctors, lawyers, software developers, food service, plumbers, and pastors, we’re all asking others to trust us. It’s our own integrity that controls our relationships with the people we serve.
A culture of trust is a good thing. We need each other. So, when your pastor is willing to “go there” with the difficult truths (without inventing new truths out of thin air) and not just tell people what they want to hear, he’s encouraging you to do the same in your own field and relationships. And when you do the same, providing the most helpful and necessary ideas, reports, and projects to the people you serve, you declare that a culture of trust is the kind of place you want to live.
Yes, my son is a plumber but that does not mean I know much about plumbing. Yes, I am a pastor but I don’t preach most Sundays. And no, this article is not written in response to any particular event or circumstance.