LECTURE 12: MINISTERIAL ETHICS [Suggested readings: Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, Part 3; William G. T. Shedd, Hmiletics and Pastral Thelgy, Part 2, ch. 2, 4; Andrew W. Blackwd, The Grwing Minister, ch. 7-17; Dean Merrill, Clergy Cuples in Crisis] The Minister s Persnal Ethics As ministers f the Wrd f Gd, pastrs are in a psitin that requires extra diligence in the area f persnal life and testimny. Reasns fr extra diligence 1) Biblical cmmand t be an example Dn't let anyne lk dwn n yu because yu are yung, but set an example fr the believers in speech, in life, in lve, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim 4:12) 2) Mre required because mre pprtunity Nw it is required that thse wh have been given a trust must prve faithful. (1 Cr 4:2) 3) Satan s attacks strnger Cf. Peter and ther apstles Simn, Simn, Satan has asked t sift yu [Greek plural] as wheat. (Luke 22:31) 4) Minister s testimny affects the reputatin f the church and f the Lrd as well as his wn Cf. result f David s sin ( by ding this yu have made the enemies f the LORD shw utter cntempt, 2 Sam 12:14) Cmmn areas f weakness r temptatin (Fllwing the pattern f the Ten Cmmandments) 12.1
1) Finding ther things mre imprtant, interesting, r desirable than Gd 2) Appraching the wrship f Gd in a prfessinal r rutine manner 3) Using Gd s name r Wrd in a careless r flippant manner 4) Cnsidering the Lrd s day as just anther wrk day 5) Neglecting the duties f a husband r father Allwing children t be spiled by church members 6) Nt respecting lives r welfare f self r thers Allwing health t deterirate Justifying resentment and hatred tward peple in the church wh ppse yu r yur plicies Unsafe driving 7) Failing t lve and hnr yur wife Thinking lustfully abut wmen in yur cngregatin Putting yurself in cmprmising r tempting situatins Failing t prvide prper supervisin fr yuth activities 8) Using church prperty imprperly fr persnal use Withhlding the tithe r fferings Wasting time that shuld be spent in pastral duties Being irrespnsible in persnal finance 9) Telling thers what yu were tld in cnfidence 12.2
Ministerial exaggeratin 10) Being envius f church members wh are mre prsperus than yu Being envius f pastrs f larger r mre successful churches Surces f extra diligence 1) Mre regular and deeper study f Scripture 2) Preaching and cunseling n ethical subjects 3) Prayer fr self and thers (and prayers f thers fr yu; cf. Eph 6:19-20) 4) Meditatin n Gd s prmises t bless and sustain his servants 5) Fellwship with ther ministers (presbytery, etc.) The Minister s Prfessinal Ethics Prperly understd, the applicatin f the Ten Cmmandments, as mentined in the previus sectin n persnal ethics, will cver all aspects f prfessinal ethics as well. Als, ur curses in practical and pastral thelgy will discuss these items in mre detail. Hwever, there are sme areas that deserve special mentin. Cnduct regarding the cngregatin (1) Faithfulness and diligence in requirements f psitin Maintaining persnal and family testimny (see abve) Time n the jb Daily schedule Weekly schedule Annual schedule 12.3
Keeping gd relatins and balance with the sessin, the deacns, and ther church rganizatins Maintaining cntact with all church members/adherents Maintaining detailed study and prfessinal grwth Maintaining integrity in preaching The sin and cnsequences f plagiarism (2) Being an example in all areas Church attendance Giving Service in church Testimny in the cmmunity Cnduct regarding ther ministers (1) In Presbytery and Synd Attendance and attentin Respnsibility, willingness t wrk Seeking the gd N bad-muthing Recurse t curts f church if necessary (2) With pastrs f ther churches 12.4
D nt infringe r disrupt wrk Example f Old Side-New Side cntrversy Beware f circular letters On ther hand, we d have liberty in Christ t preach, write, etc.; use balance Encurage visits by vacatiners in their churches, etc. (3) In changing churches r ministers In yur previus pastrate, let the new pastr be the pastr. Nrmally church disputes leading t the resignatin f the pastr are nt wrth splitting the church; leave graciusly. Remember the example f Jnathan Edwards. Maintain hnr f previus pastr(s); remember, smeday yu will be the previus pastr! 12.5