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Transparency Is The Answer To Conspiracy Thinking

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Some conspiracy theories are true.

Governments have lied. Corporations have covered things up. Institutions have acted corruptly. From Watergate to Big Tobacco’s decades of deception, there are real cases where the public was intentionally misled and where the so-called conspiracy theorists were vindicated in the end. And yes, even in the church, there have been cover-ups of abuse, financial mismanagement, and corrupt leadership.

Christians shouldn’t have a problem acknowledging that conspiracy theories can be true. The problem is what happens when that acknowledgment hardens into a permanent posture of suspicion, one that assumes deception is always at work, that nothing is as it seems, and that every authority figure or institution is hiding something.

The real danger isn’t in believing a conspiracy theory but in adopting conspiracy thinking, which political scientist Joseph Uscinski defines as “a stable predisposition that to one degree or another drives individuals to accept conspiracy theories.” One of my main concerns with this mindset is how easily it makes its way from politics and the broader culture into the local church.

When this happens, otherwise trusting and charitable members become suspicious and cynical by default. When disagreements arise with leadership (as they inevitably will), conspiracy thinking leads people to assume the worst, even when their church has a track record of transparency. This strains relationships within the congregation.

Avoid Conspiracy Thinking

Conspiracy thinking damages the whole church. Love gives way to suspicion. Fellowship turns into factions. Perpetual doubt cultivates a community of watchdogs instead of worshipers.

People who have fallen into conspiracy thinking will often connect dots that don’t exist and interpret actions through a lens of distrust. They’ll constantly ask questions like these: What are they really up to? Can we really believe our pastors? What’s the real reason behind this decision that they’re not telling us? Such questions can never be answered, but conspiracy thinking leads people to dismiss any good-faith responses as part of a cover-up.

The Bible calls us to something better. As Paul wrote to the young church in Thessalonica, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thess. 5:12–13).

Of course, respecting church leaders doesn’t mean we check our brains at the door or follow blindly. But it does mean we start from a posture of love. We assume the best, seek clarity, and give the benefit of the doubt. As Qoheleth wrote, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Prov. 18:13).

Let me be clear: Churches need to encourage members to ask healthy questions and demand real accountability from their leaders. A culture that allows open discussion protects the peace and purity of the church.

Pastors must remember they’ll give an account to God for how they conduct their ministry. That’s sobering. And members will give an account for how they responded to those God placed over them. This, too, is sobering (Heb. 13:17).

Expect Sin

Anyone who has watched the news knows that bad pastors exist, just as corrupt leaders in politics, business, and media exist. Some churches, denominations, and parachurch ministries have died because real conspiracies, real abuses, and real deception went unchecked. That’s tragic, and we shouldn’t excuse it.

A culture that allows open discussion protects the peace and purity of the church.

But we also can’t let the failure of a few lead to the suspicion of all. We mustn’t hold the shepherds in our local church hostage as a consequence for the sins of wolves in sheep’s clothing. If your church’s leaders have a track record of open, faithful, and honest use of authority, trust them accordingly. After all, love “hopes all things” (1 Cor 13:7). Most shepherds aren’t wolves.

Though Christians should be ready to give the benefit of the doubt to each other, we should also be the least surprised when sin arises in our midst. The doctrine of total depravity reminds us that sin corrupts every part of human nature (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10–12), which makes it reasonable to expect that conspiracies—especially those involving power, pride, and self-preservation—will happen in a fallen world.

Even within the church, we shouldn’t be naive: Wolves do creep in (Acts 20:29–30), and leaders who start with the best intentions can go astray. But a right understanding of the church as the Bride of Christ anchors us in hope (Eph. 5:25–27; Rev. 21:2).

Jesus is sanctifying his church, purifying her, and presenting her to himself in splendor. Though sin is real, suspicion isn’t our default posture. Love, trust, and grace should define our life together, because the church, though imperfect, belongs to Christ and is being made holy by his hand.

Lead Transparently

Guarding against a conspiratorial mindset isn’t just the responsibility of church members. Leaders play a vital role in creating a culture of clarity and trust. Conspiracies tend to thrive in environments where communication is rare, decisions go unexplained, feedback is unwelcome, and authority is wielded without any real relationship.

Most shepherds aren’t wolves.

This is why healthy, transparent leadership matters so much.

Faithful leaders don’t just make good decisions; they help the church understand why those decisions are made. They invite honest questions. They communicate early, clearly, and often. They don’t just scream “Trust us!” when important decisions need to be made; rather, they build trust over time. And, perhaps most importantly, they repent and confess when they fail.

Paul is the model of transparency for leaders. They should aspire to be able to claim, “We behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you” (2 Cor. 1:12). Pastors can’t prevent people from being having doubts, but they have a clear conscience about the way they live.

When church leaders model simplicity and sincerity in the church, in both word and deed, they create a community where conspiracy thinking fizzles out, like a fire starved of oxygen, unable to catch or spread.