In a recent Marketing Profs article, Dr. Marsha Fieldstone, founder of the Women Presidents’ Organization, identifies five principles that helped her build trust in the global marketplace. These five principles can be tweaked to help your church build trust in your community.
- Research: Understand the dynamics and needs of the community to which you plan to minister.
- Adapt: Understand and respect traditions and cultural differences. What works for one church may not work in your community. What works in one neighborhood may not work in another neighborhood down the street.
- Learn: Ask other local ministers for advice on what works and doesn’t work in your community – and listen with open ears!
- Follow-through: Be dedicated to your church’s purpose and to fulfilling your promises. If your website says you offer an “incredible children’s ministry,” you better be sure it is an incredible children’s ministry. Not living up to the hype will weaken trust.
- Support: Show your community that you support them and care about them. Don’t just focus on your congregation. Be sure that you are truly reaching out to the community, as well. Also show them that your congregation supports you. Happy congregations that brag on their church build trust and grow membership.
