Why Credibility Is Falling—and How to Regain It
Although cultural shifts have contributed to this credibility crisis, Packiam writes in his new book that pastors “have made a mess of things, too.” The root cause, he says, is “the misuse of authority” and poor stewardship of power. “From small country churches to uber-megachurches,” he writes, “many pastors have been found to be bullies and hypocrites, alcohol abusers and womanizers.”
Self-examination and humble course correction will be key for earning back people’s trust, says the author and pastor. Even if churches can’t regain “a central place in our communities,” Packiam says, pastors “can once again become trustworthy people when we rediscover the source and the shape of pastoral authority.”
In April, Packiam will be a guest on the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast. He’ll discuss “The Resilient Pastor,” delve into the new Barna research, and explore why pastors often question their own credibility. Packiam also wrote a recent guest column on the Barna website, addressing the church’s mission and the path forward.
