Over the years, I’ve worked with a lot of ministry leaders—some paid, some volunteers—who struggle with getting volunteers and parishioners on board with their mission.
They get feedback, they do their best to implement suggestions, but still no results. I even hear people ask me:
“Why can't I get anyone on board?”
“How can I get my team to buy-in?”
“Why won't the parents do what I ask them to do?”
The answer to all of those questions circle around TRUST.
Here’s the thing I’ve learned:
Great leaders aren’t obsessed with being liked or having authority. They focus on building trust.
That’s not easy in parish life. Let’s be honest—most of us want people to like us or just listen to what we have to say. If you want a healthier culture—where people stick around, show up fully, and bring their best—you have to focus on trust. And here’s how you start.
Trust grows when people know what’s going on.
That sounds simple, but in parish life, clarity is often a casualty of “we’ve always done it this way.” We assume the bulletin, a quick announcement, or an email buried in a pile will do the job. But trust erodes when people feel left out of decisions or blindsided by changes.
And let’s be real—nothing breaks trust faster than gossip or back channeling.
Whether it’s staffing updates, ministry plans, or schedule changes, ask yourself:
Did I communicate this clearly across every channel people use?
Am I looping in the right people early—or just cleaning up after?
Am I clear about what we’re doing and why?
People don’t need to agree with every decision, but they do need to feel respected by how it's communicated.
This one’s personal for me.
I’ve performed better as a team member—and led better as a supervisor—when there’s consistency. When I knew what to expect. When my leader showed up, said what they meant, and followed through.
Inconsistency makes people anxious. It causes them to second-guess decisions, hide mistakes, and disengage.
You don’t have to be perfect. But if you want people to trust you, you do have to be predictable—in your values, your communication, and your support.
If you’ve ever felt like just a “warm body” filling a role, you know this one hits deep.
People stay engaged when they know they’re being invested in:
A staff member who’s fairly paid and poured into will give more than just the job description.
A volunteer who’s seen and thanked will take ownership.
A parent or teen who sees the parish hiring quality leaders and building beautiful spaces will lean in.
Investment looks different for everyone, but the point is the same: When people see that you care about their growth, they’ll trust your leadership.
If this feels like a lot, don’t overthink it. Just start with this:
Ask three people you work or serve with: “What’s one thing I can do to support you better?” Then listen—and do something about it.
You don’t need to be liked by everyone. But you do need to be trusted by the people you lead.
Because trust is what builds teams. Trust is what fuels momentum.
And trust is what keeps people in the game—long after the applause fades.
Where in your ministry are you chasing approval instead of building trust—and what’s one thing you could shift this week? Share in the comments below.