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Today's Christian, May/June 2003
Keeping the Shepherds Accountable
This new program offers pastors of all denominations a way to guard against immorality.
In response to the growing number of clergy falling prey to adultery, pornography, and other devastating behaviors, Focus on the Family has launched a new program that encourages pastors of all denominations to commit to The Shepherd's Covenant. By signing the covenant and wearing the shepherd's crook lapel pin, pastors agree to live by the five guidelines outlined in the covenant, based on the acronym GRACE:
- G: Genuine Accountability
- R: Right Relationships
- A: A Servant/Shepherd's Heart
- C: Constant Safeguards
- E: Embrace God Intimately
"Nearly everywhere we look we see pastors in moral decline," says H.B. London, Jr., vice president of Ministry Outreach/Pastoral Ministries at Focus on the Family. "The Shepherd's Covenant is a dream of mine, to hold pastors accountable to their ordination vows and to protect them from the temptations of the world."
In addition to pastors signing the covenant, wearing the pin, and alerting the congregation of the promises made, the program is also meant to create accountability between participants. Each pastor who signs the covenant is asked to find another colleague who will hold him accountable and vice-versa.
Clergy interested in joining the 1,650 pastors who have already signed on can call 1-800-A-FAMILY or visit www.parsonage.org.
Source: Focus on the Family
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
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May/June 2003, Vol. 41, No. 3, Page 11
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