TRUST

Trust

firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
“relations have to be built on trust” – Oxford Languages Dictionary

• Trust in God comes first
• Trust in those who serve is required and diligence needed
• Without trust, there is no Ministry
• A Scout is Trustworthy, and So is Methodist Scouting

Trusting God can be difficult. Looking at the waters or the fire we are called to travel through brings natural fear. How can God prevail? People drown. People get burned. But God has done the miraculous so many times. God continues to bring us through. We must trust God first and walk down to the riverside. Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Trusting those who serve is important. God uses people for God’s will. Sometimes it is a direct path and others very indirect. These are all kinds of servants. Bishops, conference leaders, church leaders, and Scout leaders. The paths of thought may diverge but the desire for the good is the foundation. Not everyone has the same level of understanding. When you administer a large organization, the vision is different from the “walking with” that happens at the local level. Both are about caring. We need both. Trust requires diligence to watch each other’s back and know ours is being watched too.

Without trust, there is no ministry. Trust brings collaboration, innovation, and the invitation to the table. Without trust, we divide. Churches divide from each other and from century-old ministries which have blessed generations. Without trust, we hold to our own for fear of loss. When we trust, we hold to God knowing all is God’s to begin and end with. Trust makes needed changes into new ministry instead of abandonment.

Trustworthy is the first law of the Boy Scout Law. Honest and Fair are the first two commitments of the Girl Scout Law. We stand by these qualities and those who instill them in youth. Scouting is a trustworthy ministry. Methodist Scouting is Trustworthy. We have been at the table since the beginning. We have your back and will for the future.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11