Pastoral Ethics

United Christian Faith Ministries
Ministerial Ethics

The following guidelines are not intended to be all inclusive, and no one should conclude that what is not on the list is therefore permitted. And are established maintain and promote high standards of integrity and professionalism in Pastoral Ministry.

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.