Should Pastors Be Required to Sign a Code of Ethics?
In June, the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) released a code of ethics for pastors; early signatories include Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and Tim Keller. According to a recent NAE survey, 71 percent of evangelical leaders are not required to sign a code of ethics.
"Clergy intend to do the right thing, but—given the eroding moral standards of recent years in our country—in many instances there isn't adequate clarity and a strong enough sense of obligation to do what's right."
Luder Whitlock, chair of NAE Code of Ethics drafting committee
"Signing a biblical code of ethics can communicate needed specificity regarding the expectations of pastoral integrity, and can also serve as a solemn act of 'covenant making' between a pastor, God, and the people they serve."
H. Wayne Johnson, director of M.Div. program, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"If churches and denominations require signing a code of ethics, they are bringing themselves in line with many professions, organizations, and industries. But of course, signing a code does not ensure compliance; ultimately that is a matter of one's heart."
Dennis P. Hollinger, president, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"It is the moral responsibility of each congregation or denomination to require the highest ethical standards of its ministers. Where they are sluggish in doing so, pastors should take the initiative to develop and self-apply their own ethics code."
David P. Gushee, director, Center for Theology and Public Life, Mercer University
"Signing a code of ethics is a matter for local churches and ministers to decide, rather than making it a matter of compulsion."
George O. Wood, general superintendent, Assemblies of God
"My hope is that we pastors will require it of ourselves, regardless of whether or not others demand it of us. I fear that requiring this across the board for all pastors may backfire, by securing only a notional, quasi-hypocritical commitment."
David A. Currie, director of D.Min. program, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Star Trek Into Darkness
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Kate Webster
I am a member of a denomination that does require clergy to sign a code of ethics (Disciples of Christ) and I think it is an excellent idea. For that matter I think all people affiliated with a church lay people and clergy should work through and sign a code of ethics. My transition team and I spent time going through the congregational Code of ethics and I hope to find an opportunity to present it to the whole congregation. Having said that though I don't think the code of ethics helps much if the pastor doesn't follow it and the denomination has no power to enforce it. We are having some problems in my church right now with a former pastor who behaved unethical and it has torn the church apart. I understand that all you can do is have faith that we can work through the problems, but in the end of the day the fact that this person signed a code of ethics offers little solace.
ERIC LORENZEN
My company designs employee handbooks for churches (as well as businesses). We always recommend the inclusion of the following policies: Pastoral Covenant, Pastoral Accountability, and Sexual Purity. It helps to provide ethical clarity in writing, so that everyone has the same understanding of how the church expects Biblical standards to be lived out. Eric Lorenzen- president of New Wind Business Solutions
Mark Matthias
"My hope is that we pastors will require it of ourselves, regardless of whether or not others demand it of us. I fear that requiring this across the board for all pastors may backfire, by securing only a notional, quasi-hypocritical commitment." That was my immediate instinct when I first saw the article. It doesn't have to be that way; but the danger exists. Many people believe if you don't fully immerse yourself in water when baptized, you will burn in hell -- when it is nothing more than an antitype -- not the substance, which is faith, of course. Doing all to the glory of God is ultimately an affair of the heart. Perhaps with fewer props, we thrust ourselves into the thick of it, with reservation.