Confidence
Webster has many definitions for the word confidence: full trust…believing in the reliability of another person; belief in one’s self and one’s power or ability; certitude…confidence in leaders; confidential communication.
Our country and the world community lack confidence…in the economy, our leaders and often in our own abilities. I believe we do not have a shortage of money-despite the economic downturn-but a lack of confidence. When people lose confidence in government, a business, a ministry or church the result is never positive and the solution is often long in coming. That’s why it’s important to put forth your vision and mission with the confidence that God is leading you, your staff and the board, as you seek to honor him. People will support vision when it is clearly communicated with confidence even in the worst of times.
The last definition of confidence above troubles me. It is confidential communication. In my nearly five decades of ministry experience, I continue to be disappointed in how poorly Christian leaders and ministry organizations handle confidential information. The essence of integrity is the ability to keep information confidential. A possible theme could be: “What is said here…stays here.” As the stewards of God’s grace we would be well advised to value and honor confidential information.
For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6.
Filed under: Articles on June 18th, 2009