Here’s the hard truth: Institutional trust is collapsing. Across industries, organizations, and yes—even faith communities—people are putting less faith in institutions and more in individuals.

So, what does that mean for ministry? It means relationship-centered faith leadership isn’t optional—it’s the future.

In this episode of the Future of Faith Podcast, hosts Josh Packard and Keedren Boston unpack the data behind the decline in institutional trust and reveal why listening is the key to rebuilding it. When people don’t trust organizations, they turn to personal relationships—and trust is built one genuine conversation at a time.

Trust Is Built, Not Assumed

🛠️ Listening with intent is the foundation of real trust. You can’t fake it. People know when they’re truly being heard.

📉 Institutional trust is at an all-time low. People trust individuals they know more than titles or organizations.

❤️ Relationships > Authority. Trust doesn’t come from a position of power—it comes from shared experiences, honesty, and consistency.

🌍 Ministry must be relationship-centered. People stay connected when they feel seen, known, and valued—not because of an institution’s reputation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔵 How listening builds trust within faith communities

🟠 Why people trust relationships more than institutions

🟢 The importance of feedback in maintaining trust

🔴 How leaders can create spaces of belonging in a low-trust world

🟣 Why trust is gained slowly but lost quickly—and how to protect it

Where Do We Go from Here?

This episode wraps up the season with a powerful look at the future of faith in a world where trust is earned, not assumed. If you care about leadership, ministry, or the future of faith communities, you don’t want to miss this one.

🔗 Want the full study? Get the whitepaper, data graphics, and more:

👉 Sacred Listening Study

💬 Join the Conversation:

📍 Follow us on Facebook & LinkedIn: Future of Faith

📩 Sign up for our newsletter: futureoffaith.org/newsletter

Got insights on trust in faith communities? We’d love to hear them! Email us at hello@futureoffaith.org. 🎙️🔥

Music by Treleon Music – used with permission

We all know listening is important. But let’s be real—most of us think we’re great listeners when, in reality, we’re making a few key mistakes that shut conversations down fast.

In this episode of the Future of Faith Podcast, hosts Keedren Boston and Josh Packard break down five major listening mistakes that can wreck trust, stall faith formation, and make people feel unheard. (Plus, they throw in a bonus tip about when laughter can backfire!) Through personal stories and research-backed insights, they reveal how true listening goes beyond just being quiet—it’s about creating a space where real dialogue can happen.

The 5 Things Not to Do When Listening:

❌ Don’t judge. Judgment kills openness. If people sense criticism, they’ll shut down.

🙅‍♂️ Don’t give unsolicited advice. Just because you can fix it doesn’t mean you should. Ask before offering input.

⏸️ Don’t interrupt. Cutting someone off signals that their words don’t matter as much as yours.

📵 Don’t look at your phone. Distraction = disrespect. Be present.

🧐 Don’t make assumptions. Jumping to conclusions keeps you from truly understanding.

🎭 Bonus Tip: Be careful with laughter! Even well-intended chuckles can send the wrong message in serious conversations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔵 Listening without judgment fosters deeper connections

🟠 Unsolicited advice can alienate instead of helping

🟢 Interruptions make speakers feel unheard and unvalued

🔴 Phone distractions break trust and engagement

🟣 Avoiding assumptions leads to better understanding

🟡 Why laughter can be tricky in serious discussions

Want to Be a Better Listener?

If you want to improve your listening skills and build stronger faith communities, this episode is a must.

🔗 Want the full study? Get the whitepaper, data graphics, and more:

👉 Sacred Listening Study

💬 Join the Conversation:

📍 Follow us on Facebook & LinkedIn: Future of Faith

📩 Sign up for our newsletter: futureoffaith.org/newsletter

Have a listening fail (or win) to share? Email us at hello@futureoffaith.org. We’d love to hear your story! 🎙️🔥

Music by Treleon Music – used with permission

You know what kills real connection? Assumptions. You know what builds it? Curiosity.

In this episode of the Future of Faith Podcast, hosts Josh Packard and Keedren Boston dive into the game-changing role of curiosity in faith formation, trust-building, and effective communication—especially in youth ministry.

Listening isn’t just about staying quiet while someone talks. It’s about engagement, follow-up, and asking better questions. When we approach conversations with curiosity, we deepen relationships, build trust, and create safe spaces for real faith growth. Ignore this? You risk shutting people down before the conversation even starts.

Curiosity vs. Assumption: The Conversation Decider

🗝️ Curiosity builds bridges. When we ask good questions and listen with an open mind, people feel heard and valued.

🚧 Assumptions build walls. Jumping to conclusions kills trust and makes real dialogue impossible. If you’re not curious, you’re just waiting for your turn to talk.

🔄 Effective listening is a two-way street. This isn’t a transaction—it’s transformation. When you engage, ask follow-ups, and truly listen, relationships change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How curiosity leads to deeper understanding in faith conversations

✔️ Why judgment is the enemy of effective listening

✔️ The power of follow-up questions in meaningful dialogue

✔️ How to create a safe space for honest conversations

✔️ Why listening isn’t passive—it’s active, intentional, and powerful

Let’s Make Listening Count.

If you care about faith, ministry, or simply being a better communicator, this episode is a must.

🔗 Want the full study? Get the whitepaper, data graphics, and more:

👉 Sacred Listening Study

💬 Join the Conversation:

📍 Follow us on Facebook & LinkedIn: Future of Faith

📩 Sign up for our newsletter: futureoffaith.org/newsletter

Got stories about the power of curiosity? A time when listening changed everything? Email us at hello@futureoffaith.org. We’d love to hear from you! 🎙️🔥

Music by Treleon Music – used with permission