The Healthy Church Staff Podcast
Pastoring People Who Don't Trust Each Other
May 01, 2026
Episode 605
In this episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, Todd Rhoades discusses the impact of current societal and political divisions on church communities. The central theme is the erosion of trust within churches, paralleling trust issues in broader society. Rhoades emphasizes the importance of personal pastoral work to rebuild trust and foster connection in fractured communities. He suggests that church leaders need to engage in individual conversations and pastoral care, emphasizing listening and presence over performance and metrics.
• Discussion of the recent White House Correspondents Dinner shooting and its impact.
• The erosion of trust within church communities reflects wider societal divisions.
• Importance of pastoral care and individual engagement to rebuild trust.
• Personal encounters and connection are crucial for healing community divisions.
• Rhoades encourages reaching out to congregation members with no agenda.
• Advises making pastoral care the norm in church staff culture.
• Emphasizes the unglamorous but essential work of connecting with individuals.
• Highlights the need for consistent, genuine engagement over strategic programs.
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