for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the
expression of wisdom; to another the expression of
knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by
the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another
discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to
another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same
Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to
each person as he wishes. As a body is one though it has
many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are
one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all
baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or
free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
The interdependence of the members of the Body of Christ and the
communion to which we are called require that relationships be built on
mutual trust. The dictionary defines trust as assured reliance on the
character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something and, secondly,
one in whom confidence is placed. Mutual trust is an essential element of
parish life.
Defining trust is easy, establishing trust within a
group
takes time
and
commitment. Trust within a working group requires that
individuals
be both
trusting and trustworthy. Once trust is established in a
group, it is important
that the members behave in ways that will
maintain
and increase it.
The trust level within working groups is not a stable
element,
it will
vary
and change. Each interaction increases or decreases the
level
within the
group. As members take risks to ask sincere questions
and these questions
are received with openness and acceptance, the
level
of trust within the
group rises.
The higher the level of trust among members the more
effectively they
can
work together. When members of a group believe that the
shared
goal is
more important to everyone involved than individual goals, the
level of trust
increases, the quality of their interaction is improved
and the probability of
achieving goals is raised.
Some Ways to Increase the Level of Trust in Your Parish Group
- Agree to confidentiality: what is said in the meeting stays in the meeting
- Practice empathetic listening: listen not just to the word but to their meaning for the person speaking them
- Critique ideas, not individuals
- Appreciate the perspective of others
- Assist others to listen
- Be willing to take risks and support others who do the same