Cardinals of Professional Ethics

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Vol. II, No. 1, March 1989

Every profession has a code of ethics and the Christian ministry is no exception. However., on occasion some of the Lord's servants fail to practice the ethics that should govern our high calling. This seems especially true in the matter of one minister's consideration of another.

As one now into his fourth pastorate, I am certainly no authority on the subject of ethical conduct in the Christian ministry. Nevertheless, since in a former pastorate and the one now occupied, I have experienced the lack of professional ethics by former pastors, may I venture herein to recall for us those cardinal principles of professional ethics toward our colleagues so many of us were taught as we prepared ourselves for the pastoral ministry.

Remember Who The Pastor Is: That church was once my congregation. I was their pastor; but then God called me elsewhere to become pastor of another congregation. I am no longer that church's pastor. God has given them another leader. He is God's pastor for them now, so let him pastor them. Their weddings, their funerals, their counselling, and all the other needs only a pastor can meet are his to handle, not mine. To return to perform weddings of funerals of members I once pastored, or to allow any member of a congregation I once pastored to use me again as a listening ear is not my place. These duties are now those of the pastor who replaced me. And don't forget, dear brothers, we are where we are, not where we were.

Return By Pastor's Invitation Only: Occasionally I receive an invitation to attend an event in a church I formerly pastored. My acceptance is governed by two considerations: (1) the nature of the event and (2) the person from whom the invitation came. If the event is not church wide such as a homecoming or other landmark function, I do not attend. Furthermore, if the invitation does not come officially from the church's pastor, I do not accept. In most cases professional ethics dictate that pastors decline invitations to return to former pastorates.

Respect The Pastor: Members of former congregations often get attached to one pastor more than to others. Consequently, they tend to call upon that favorite pastor in times of joy such as a wedding or times of sorrow such as a funeral. They even sometimes contact a former pastor to discuss issues in the church. Most members probably mean no disrespect to their current pastor. However, for a former pastor to allow or even encourage such contact is an expression of serious discourtesy toward his colleague. Failure by members to treat their current pastor in such a manner may be a matter of simply not knowing any better. They usually do not mean to hurt the feelings of their pastor. But pastors have been taught better, and know better; and is it not up to us to be a better example!

To sum up, these cardinal principles of professional ethics for ministers simply reflect the application of the "Golden Rule."