Ministerial Ethics PDF

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MINISTERIAL ETHICS Third Edition

MINISTERIAL ETHICS AStudy Guide by T. Burton Pierce Third Edition Developed in Cooperation With the Global University Staf Based on the textbooks: Ministerial Ethics: A Guide for Spirit-Filled Leaders by T. Burton Pierce The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian reflections on Money, Sex, and Power by Richard J. Foster 1211 South Glenstone Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65804 USA Global University Springfield, Missouri, USA © 1999, 2001, 2004 Global University All rights reserved. First edition 1999 Third edition 2004 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. TO BE USED WITH: Student Packet, Third Edition Grading Packet, Third Edition (For Grader’s Use Only) PN: 03.01.W1 ISBN: 978- 0-7617-0000-0 Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents Page Course Introduction................................................................................................................................ 7 UNIT ONE: THE BASIS FOR CHRISTIAN ETHICS–SCRIPTURE Unit 1 Introduction ……………................................................................................................................... 12 1.1 The Basis of Morality: The Ten Commandments ...................................................................... 16 1.2 Transition from Law to Grace: The Sermon on the Mount........................................................ 24 1.3 Ethical Concepts from Church History ....................................................................................... 32

UNIT TWO: ETHICS AND CHURCH DOCTRINE Unit 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 42 2.1 The New Morality of Christ: Ethics Defined................................................................................ 46 2.2 The Work of the Holy Spirit: The Minister’s Response ……………………………................................. 52 2.3 Belief in the Second Coming: The Minister’s Role ..................................................................... 60 2.4 Contemporary Moral Issues: The Minister’s Stance .................................................................. 68 UNIT THREE: ETHICS IN PRACTICAL MINISTRY 3.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 76 3.1 The Minister and the Congregation: Providing Spiritual Leadership......................................... 80 3.2 Ministers and their Peers: Maintaining Professional Relationships........................................... 88 3.3 The Minister and Moral Failure: Finding Restoration through Grace ............. 96 UNIT FOUR: PERSONAL APPLICATION OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES 4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 104 4.1 The Minister and Money: Filthy Lucre in Clean Hands ............................................................ 108 4.2 The Minister and Sex: Joy or Jeopardy? .................................................................................. 116 4.3 The Ministerial Influence: Dealing with Power and Authority ................................................ 124 4.4 The Minister and Personhood: Being Authentic ..................................................................... 132

The Degree Program This study guide is one of the courses that comprise the Degree Program. Majors are offered in Bible and Theology, Religious Education, Missions, and Pastoral Ministries. For additional information regarding the various programs available for study, write to your enrollment office. Study materials in the Degree Program are designed in a self-teaching format for ministers and Christian workers who want to engage in systematic Bible study at the postsecondary level. These courses will provide many of the necessary tools for practical ministry and Christian witness. Students may enroll in either individual courses or in a program of study leading to academic certification. However, you should be aware of the possibility that some courses may not fit into a specific study program. When satisfactorily completed courses are applied toward a study program, only those that meet the requirements of the selected program will receive credit toward certification. Therefore, it is important for you to select courses that contribute to your program requirements. The Degree Program curriculum is under constant evaluation. Revisions and additions will be made in keeping with the goal of providing students with the best possible independent-study learning experiences.

Attention We have prepared this study guide to help you successfully complete the course. Please read the course introduction very carefully. By following the instructions, you should be able to achieve your goals for the course, and you should not have difficulty preparing for your final examination. Address all your correspondence concerning the course to your local enrollment office at the address stamped below. If no address is stamped there, and you do not have the address of the office in your area, then please write to the following address: Global University 1211 South Glenstone Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65804 USA The address of your local office is: 6 Ministerial Ethics

Course Introduction Ministerial Ethics Nearly every Christian you know wants to be known as an ethical person, but it isn’t always easy to come up with a clear description of ethical conduct. The purpose of this course is to explain what Christian ethics is all about and then to provide guidance for enjoying a life and ministry that are ethical in every way. We will begin by going into detail as to how our modern idea of ethics came about, beginning with the giving of the law of Moses and the Ten Commandments. We will study the great principles laid down in the Commandments and apply them to everyday living for every generation, from hisday to the 21st century. We will observe the lives and teachings of great figures from Church history in their attempts to put into practice the ethical concepts laid down in Scripture. It will be apparent that God-honoring ethical codes steadily declined from the time of the early church fathers until the days of the early reformers and Martin Luther. The pattern of rising and falling ethical values has continued from the Wesleyan revival and the Great Awakening to the present. In this country, revival fires were drenched with the icy waters of liberal theology and situation ethics, only to be rekindled by the rise of the Holiness movement in the early 20th century. With this enlivening of the Spirit came a renewed awareness that the salvation experience makes it possible for the Christian to live victoriously and ethically in the power of the Spirit. With the empowerment of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, fleshly desires are brought under the mastery of the believer. The gifts of the Spirit, available to all who will accept them, and the fruit of the Spirit, further fortify the child of God in the quest for ethical purity. The hope of the return of Christ provides even greater motivation for living a wholesome life in the Spirit, untarnished by fleshly desires and impure practices. It is important that contemporary Christian ministers be aware of the major moral and ethical problems that plague our society. They must deal with such social problems as tense racial relationships and the divorce/remarriage syndrome that threatens to destroy the American home. Church leaders must combat the legalization of abortion and assisted suicide. They must remind this troubled nation that only God can rescue homosexuals, pedophiles, pornography addicts, rapists, and other people living impure lives. Amid all these concerns, they must determine the solid ethical/moral position they should take and then defend it and live by it. In the church, ministers must find their role as leader of the congregation. They must be aware of the importance of relating to their people as examples of ethical living. They must learn to fill the role of preacher/counselor adequately. They should use godly discretion in their relationships with former parishioners and with fellow ministers in their own denomination, including those who have suffered moral failure. They should reflect the Spirit of Christ in associating with other churches and pastors in the community, as well as with the business community and the neighborhood.

Introduction: From a personal perspective, ministers must deal with two important areas of ethical concern: sexual conduct and the handling of finances. Ministers must learn early to handle money wisely, to plan well for emergencies, to know how and when to make major purchases, and to develop and hold to a sound plan for ongoing security up to and including retirement. Of even greater importance is wisdom in how ministers conduct themselves with the opposite sex. When the pastor is a male, he should be discreet in his attitude toward his wife and with other women in the church, both in public and in private. To be overly familiar with any woman other than his wife will ruin his life and ministry and bring reproach to his church and family. On the other hand, he must remain his wife’s ardent lover for the sake of their marriage and for the sake of the married couples in the church who need a good role model for their own marriages. Ultimately, ministers must deal with the power of their position in the church and must learn to emulate models of authority they find in the Scriptures as they yield to the lordship of Christ and resist the temptation to abuse the power inherent in the ministry. In this process of submitting to the authority of Christ, they will come to enjoy wholesome growth as competent pastors and as outstanding husbands, wives, and parents in the home. They should order their lives so that they will be welcome guests in the homes of their parishioners or in the offices and stores where they do the business of the church. Yet in the face of all the demands of a successful ministry, they need to find time to get the rest and recreation they need to be assured of a long, happy life in the ministry.

Course Description Ministerial Ethics (MIN1063—Credit: 3 hours)

This course traces the development and history of ethical thought and the leaders of the Christian Church from the giving of the Ten Commandments, through the era of John the Baptist, to the 20st century Holiness Movement. Current moral/ethical issues and the ethical aspects of major Pentecostal doctrines are outlined. Guidelines for proper relationships with the congregation and with fellow ministers are highlighted. The course concludes with the practical application of ethics to the minister’s home life and ministry.

Course Objectives At the conclusion of this course, you should be able to: 1. Define Christian ethics and explain its basis in the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. 2. Contrast the level of ethical standards in the history of the Church and its leaders during periods of spiritual decline with the level in times of reformation and revival. 3. Explain the change in the lives of believers in their ability to live joyful, ethically sound lives following the experience of salvation and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. 4. List at least seven of the major ethical/moral problems that are prevalent in America today and outline the position ministers should take on each of these issues. 5. Evaluate the positive aspects of the role of the pastor as preacher/counselor and contrast them with the reasons for being reluctant to assume this role. 6. Give a total of six examples of ways ministers can effectively relate to fellow ministers, to their own parishioners, and to business leaders in the community. 7. Ministerial Ethics 8. Summarize the financial steps ministers should take to prepare for emergencies andto save for present needs and for retirement. 9. Summarize in several brief sentences the conduct of ethically sound ministers with church people of the opposite sex, as distinguished from an ideal relationship with the spouse. 10. Contrast the potential for the abuse of power in ministers’ lives with the results to be enjoyed by submitting to the authority of Christ. 11. Illustrate how ministers can reduce stress and enjoy longevity in the ministry by making rest and relaxation an integral part of their weekly and annual schedules.

Textbooks You will use Ministerial Ethics, a Study Guide by T. Burton Pierce with the textbook it was written to accompany: Ministerial Ethics: A Guide for Spirit-Filled Leaders by T. Burton Pierce and supplemental text The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power by Richard J. Foster.

Optional additional titles may be helpful, but are not required: Pastor to Pastor: Tackling Problems of the Pulpit by Erwin W. Lutzer, Christian Ethics by Norman L. Geisler, and Ministerial Ethics and Etiquette by Nolan B. Harmon. The Holy Bible is the only other requirement. Bible quotations in this study guide are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. Study Time We recommend that you have a regular time for study. Of course, you may take advantage of spare moments to study when you have them, but there is no substitute for a regular study time. Try to complete at least one lesson each week. In a classroom two or three class sessions would ordinarily be given to each lesson. Studying independently, you may expect to spend from three to six hours on a lesson. How much time you actually need to study each lesson depends in part on your knowledge of the subject and the strength of your study skills before you begin the course. It also depends on the extent to which you follow directions and develop skills necessary for independent study. Plan your study schedule so that you spend enough time to attain the objectives stated by the author of the course as well as your personal objectives. Study Methods Be sure to read carefully the recommendations about study methods that are given in your student packet. They will help you know how to study a lesson, review for a unit progress evaluation on a group of lessons, and prepare for the final examination that covers all of the lessons. If you do not usually study as recommended, you will need to adapt your study methods to achieve the highest success in the course. Ways to Study This Course If you study this course by yourself, all of your work except your final examination can be completed by mail. Although this course has been designed for you to study on your own, you may also study it in a group or class. If you study this course in a group or class, the advisor may give you additional instructions. If so, be sure to follow the advisor’s directions. Introduction 9 Lesson Organization and Study Pattern Each lesson includes (1) lesson title, (2) lesson outline, (3) lesson objectives, (4) learning activities, (5) lesson development including study questions, and (6) answers to study questions. The lesson outline and objectives will give you an overview of the subject, help you to focus your attention on the most important points as you study, and tell you what you should learn. The lesson development in this course makes it easy to study the material thoroughly. By studying a section at a time, you can make good use of short periods of study whenever you have time, instead of waiting until you have time to do an entire lesson at once. The comments, exercises, and answers are all designed to help you achieve the objectives of the lesson. Most of the study questions in the lesson development can be answered in the space provided in your study guide, while others require a notebook in which responses may be written. As you write the answers in your notebook, be sure to record the number and

title of the lesson and to write them in correct numerical order. This will help in your review for the unit progress evaluations. Do not look ahead at the answers to study questions until you have written your response. If you give your own answers first, you will retain what you study much better. After you have completed each study question, check your answer with those given at the end of the lesson. Then correct any mistakes you made. These questions are very important. They will help you develop and improve your knowledge and Christian service. The suggested activities, too, will help you use your knowledge in practical ways. Student Packet The student packet you received with this course contains instructions for taking the unit progress evaluations and the final examination. It also contains the unit progress evaluations and answer keys, project instructions, service learning requirement, and other important forms. Use the checklist on the packet cover to determine which materials you should submit to your enrollment office and when to submit them. Project The required project asks you to demonstrate an ability to apply the principles taught in the course. Your work on this project will give you valuable practical experience in using the knowledge you gain. You can find the project in your student packet. The project is worth 25 percent of your final grade and must be submitted to your enrollment office before or at the time you take the final examination. Service Learning Requirement The service learning requirement (SLR) instructs you to apply the course content to ministry in the church and the community. This practical experience allows you to develop ministry skills while meeting real-world needs. You can find the SLR in your student packet. The SLR must be submitted to your enrollment office before or at the time you take the final examination. You will not receive credit for this course until the SLR is completed and the report is submitted. 10 Ministerial Ethics Unit Progress Evaluations and Final Examination Unit progress evaluation (UPE) scores are not counted as part of your final course grade. However, UPE scores indicate how well you learned the material and how well you may do on the final examination. After completing each UPE, check your answers with the answers provided in the student packet. You can then review the materials in your course materials and Bible concerning points that were difficult for you. Reviewing the lesson objectives self-tests, and UPEs will help you to prepare for the final examination. Instructions for taking the final examination are in the student packet. Credit for This Course To obtain credit for this course, you must complete the assigned project, complete the service learning requirement (SLR), and pass the final examination. The examination must be written in the presence of an approved examining supervisor. Since we have examining supervisors in many countries, it probably will not be difficult for you to meet with the one in your area. Your enrollment office will work out the details with you.

Also, this course may be taken for its practical value only, and not for credit. In this case, you will not need to send in any assignments or take the final examination. The study of this course will enrich your life whether or not you take it for credit. Course Grade Your course grade is based on the final examination (75 percent) and the course project (25 percent). Although the service learning requirement (SLR) is not graded, you will not receive credit for this course until the SLR assignment is completed and the SLR Report is submitted. Your course grade will be listed as 90–100 percent, exceptional; 80–89 percent, above average; 70–79 percent, average; 60–69 percent, below average; or 0–59 percent, fail. Content Specialist for the Study Guide T. Burton Pierce served the Assemblies of God Potomac District as executive secretary-treasurer for 22 years. He had held numerous ministerial positions: district youth director, district presbyter, pastor, evangelist, Bible ...