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ETHICS OF CALLING
Ministers are to be sincere and honest in their calling (2 Corinthians
4:2). They should lay themselves open - hiding nothing for examination
of Spiritual fruits and worthiness of calling. Not having a secret
motive or agenda to lead or steal a fellowship or seeking to change the
doctrines, convictions, and directions of an established Christian
Church / Ministry.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Ministers by nature of their calling Spiritual fruit producers, who
should openly and honestly give an account of their calling to those
called in Authority to oversee their callings. To hold Minister
credentials and do little or nothing concerning ones callings - is
no calling at all. Ministers should be working together
building teams of cooperation and bridges that produce Christian based
Spiritual fruit. Ministers should voluntarily submit themselves as
servants for examination of the worthiness of their calling as humble
servants of the Lord Jesus by called in overseership of them.
LEADERSHIP AND AUTHORITY
Ministers are compassionate, gentle, humble, never seeking their own
selfish interests (2 Thessalonians 2:5-8). Ministers must openly discuss
their goals and visions, never having a secret agenda to destroy the
credibility and reputation of others to lift themselves up, or promote a
hidden personal agenda. Sheep Stealing in the Ministry plants
the evil seed of discord in the Church and is to be avoided totally.
PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION
It is the accepted and
common practice of most Christian Ministries that the Spiritual duty of
Ministers to hold in confidence matters revealed to them as a result of
their Spiritual duties, and that they have the responsibility not to
divulge conversations of confidence. The privilege of confidentiality
rests both with the Pastor and the other parties involved in the
conversation.
Privileged communication is not to be used to prevent a person from
being held accountable for their harmful actions or to keep them from
getting the help which they might need. Therefore circumstances may
arise of disclosing certain privileged conversations having priority
over the ethics of maintaining a privileged conversation of which
Minister must decide based upon the circumstances as dictated by the
conscience of the Minister.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Ministers should not be involved in pyramid type schemes or consider the
flock as a tool for personal gain. Additionally Ministers should give
their full time and attention to serving the Church or Ministry of their
primary calling and not be divided in conflict of interests.
LEAVING A CHURCH / MINISTRY
Ministers should not not publicly air problems when it is obviously
going to be detrimental to the future of the Christian Membership. Nor
should Ministers be openly hostile or critical of others in Christian
service (past or present). The intent is not to give the forces
of Evil the gain when a Minister leaves a Fellowship over conflicts
and/or attempts to gain a following when leaving a Church or Ministry.
Great care, skill and tact should be exercised not to influence the
selection of a successor and discretion should be used when visiting a
former Church or Ministry to have no further Pastoral influence upon a
former congregation - but rather be supportive of his/her successor.
RELATIONSHIPS
Ministers should always exercise great care and skill not to place
themselves in a position where they could be accused of improper
conduct. Counseling the opposite sex must be handled in a manner to
avoid any appearance of evil or wrong doing (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
The relationship of trust placed in a Minister being committed to the
highest standards of Christian Integrity forbids a Minister from
entering into a sexual (other than with their spouse) even if the
relationship were considered to be legally permitted or
mutually consensual.
Additionally for one to use their position in the Clergy for flirtatious
behavior, or making unwelcome advances or requests for sexual favors or
used as a punishment, and/or any sexual conduct that is meant to punish,
be offensive, or interfere with the recipient's performance or ability
to perform their job is absolutely forbidden by those called to the
Ministry.
PERSONAL LIFE
Ministers are representatives of God and should conduct their public and
private lives knowing that they reflect the person of the Lord Jesus to
others. They lead by being examples of Christian family values; showing
forth their great love and and humility with their own families.
Ministers must be great time managers - balancing time spent in
personal life, family life, secular jobs, and their own personal
relationship with the Lord. It is an absolute must that Ministers spend
time in private fellowship - always seeking a deep relationship with the
Lord and to properly prepare for the all their duties in service of the
Lord.
SALARY
Ministers are not to be lazy or unmotivated hirelings! Rather they seek
to constantly show forth fruits or proofs of their calling to those whom
they are called to serve. Ministers are to joyful (not grudgingly), be
thankful and content for all the Lord blesses them with.
FINANCES
Ministers are to be shining examples of honesty in their financial
dealings, by paying bills on time, accurately reporting for income tax
purposes. Always avoiding questionable activities or practices such as
money-making or pyramid schemes, so as to hold the highest levels of
integrity and public trust, knowing they are servants of others and
representatives of Christ.
SUMMARY
The dictionary
defines Ethics as, "science that treats the principles of human
morality and duty." Thus, the study of Ministry ethics is the
following of Christian Standards of Biblical Integrity. This demands
that servants of God follow standards taught by the Holy Scriptures. In
summary, Minister ethics is to fully know and understand that Ministers
are held accountable and will be judged for their manners, actions
(even for the actions we should have taken - but didn't ), and
thoughts being personally called of God to represent him before all
humanity. |
