Randi Meyer
Thursday 1/22/09
2. Ministerial Ethics
This article and the responses really got me thinking. There are so many small situations within the church that one does not even think they would ever face. As a future church leader, I have always realized the responsibility I will have directing and guiding people in their spiritual formation. I also know that someday I will be accountable for this before God, but I have to admit I have not thought about “ethical purity” that much. Honestly, there really should be no difference between the serious responsibility a church leader has in caring for people’s souls and the daily ethical decisions they make for the local church. Both are included in being a good leader, and I believe a Christian leader will be accountable for both when Christ returns.
Not only will God be the judge of spiritual leaders someday, but people are always watching the leaders too. A pastor cannot preach one thing and do another. Holiness and purity in all of a leader’s action is needed. I believe they need to go above and beyond in the way the handle situations ethically. It is better to be safe then sorry when dealing with anything in the local church. Dr. Drury said in one of his responses that leaders should ask this question in each circumstance; “If my enemy in this church knows this will they be able to use it against me?” I believe that this question is very beneficial along with what God would think.
Although I believe church leaders need to live in this manner, and I began to question my own integrity. As I read the different ethical situations, I asked myself how I would respond. In some circumstances, I found that I may have responded in the wrong manner simply because I would not have even thought twice that it might not be ethically right. For instance, if an older lady gave me $20.00, I may have taken it simply as a gift. Now I see and understand how this can look to others. I did truly think it was wrong in some of the situations mentioned in the article about how one may cheat the system. It is difficult though at times, because many see it from different perspective. I know that in the future I must be constantly be aware and question if choices I make are ethically right before God and God’s people.
The article also made me stop and think about ethical situations in the ministry I have already faced interning and being a youth leader. I have a paid position at Grant United Methodist as their youth leader on Sunday night. Many times people in the congregation have giving me extra money or gas cards. What do I do in these situations? Most of the time I will be honest I took it. This summer at my internship I had people write a unanimous note to me with $10.00 in it. Is this alright to keep? At this same church, there was a copy machine and supply closet full of office materials at my disposal anytime. I realize now how easy it could have been just to use this for my own benefit. Ethical situations surround Christian leaders, and it is important to carefully react to situations that would represent God in a holy manner.