Ministerial ethics deals with the proper conduct and moral obligations of a minister 1) to himself; 2) to his family; 3) to his congregation; 4) to the community; and 5) to the ecclesiastical profession.

The subject’s primary reference is the Bible.  The secondary references are the writings of recognized and respected authorities in the field of religion.

 

• Definition of Terms

 

The term “ministerial” means “about minister and ministry.”

 

The term “minister” in this study, includes pastors, teachers, evangelists, deacons, and lay leaders in general.

 

The term “ethics” has to do with the standard of conduct and moral judgment.

           

            I.  Duties and Responsibilities of a Minister to Himself

 

1. A minister should at all times endeavor to keep and protect his integrity and reputation as a preacher (Proverbs 22:1).

 

1. A minister should endeavor to keep himself abreast of the latest discoveries, ideas and views regarding all matters divine (1 Timothy 4:13).

 

1. A minister should abstain from all appearances of evil and endeavor to keep himself pure and above reproach (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

 

1. A minister should always find ways to multiply and enhance his moral and spiritual qualities (2 Peter 1:5-8).

 

1. A minister should diligently continue to possess the following qualifications:

 

1. He should be a man of God (1 Timothy 6:11).
2. He should be a man of Faith (1 Timothy 3:9; Titus 1:9).
3. He should be a man of Honor (Titus 2:7-8).
4. He should be a man of Learning (2 Timothy 2:15).
5. He should be a man of Diligence (2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Timothy 4:16).
6. He should be a man of Courage (Titus 2:1-8)
7. He should be a man of Discipline (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:22-25).
8. He should be a man of Action (2 Timothy 4:2).
9. He should be a man of Responsibility (2 Timothy 4:5).
10. He should be a man of Vision (Hebrews 11:23-26)

 

 

II.  Duties and Responsibilities of a Minister to his Family

 

1. A minister should rule his own household well and endeavor to earn the respect of all the members of his family (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

 

1. A minister should take care of the spiritual welfare of his wife (Ephesians 5:33).

 

1. A minister should provide for the material needs of his family (1 Timothy 5:8).

 

1. A minister should see to it that the members of his family are free from any accusation or suspicion involving acts of any impropriety (1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 1:6).

 

1. A minister should be responsible in training his children in righteousness and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

 

III.  Duties and Responsibilities of a Minister to his Congregation

 

1. A minister should consider his congregation as his spiritual family and should always assume the role of a Father (Acts 20:28).

 

1. A minister should consider his congregation as his spiritual flock and should always assume the role of a Shepherd (John 10:11-13).

 

1. A minister should consider his congregation as a sacred institution and should always assume the role of a Manager (Luke 16:10-12).

 

• The functions of a manager may be summed up in the code “POSDECORB.”

 

P    is for Planning

O   is for Organizing

S    is for Staffing

D   is for Directing

E    is for Evaluating

C   is for Coordinating

O   is for Overseeing

R   is for Reporting

B   is for Budgeting

 

• The role of a manager is likewise defined according to the code “MANAGEMENT.”

 

“MAN”                 a person

 

“AGE”                  with wisdom and experience

 

“MANAGE”         one who leads or directs

 

“MEN”                  persons or people

 

“MENT”               for a desired result

 

 

IV.  Duties and Responsibilities of a Minister to the Community

 

1. A minister should serve as Guide to the spiritually blind (Matthew 15:14).

 

1. A minister should serve as Doctor to the spiritually sick (Luke 5:31).

 

1. A minister should serve as Seeker to the spiritually lost (Matthew 18:11-14).

 

1. A minister should serve as Bailor to the morally bankrupt (Matthew 5:44-48).

 

1. A minister should serve as Light to those in spiritual darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).

 

 

V.  Duties and Responsibilities of a Minister to the Ecclesiastical Profession

 

1. A minister should at all times uphold the integrity of the ecclesiastical profession.

 

1. A minister should encourage and support religious activities intended for the professional development of members of the profession.

 

1. A minister should treat his professional colleagues with courtesy, fairness, honesty and utmost respect.

 

1. A minister should always be ready to expose and denounce erroneous teachings for the purpose of protecting and defending the truth in the spirit of brotherly love.

 

1. A minister should act, talk and dress like an honorable preacher of righteousness and project a Christ-like behavior at all times.

 

1. A minister should avoid going to places of ill-repute and refrain from participating in any activity that might cause or likely to cause disgrace or disrepute to the ecclesiastical profession.

 

1. A minister should rebuke and reprove any erring member of the profession in the spirit of gentleness, brotherly love and genuine concern for his spiritual welfare.

 

1. A minister should be sympathetic and always ready to lend assistance to the novice and inexperienced members of the profession.

 

1. A minister should not impose his will or views to his fellow ministers if it will cause or likely to cause division within the brotherhood especially when the issue is just personal or only a matter of opinion.

 

1. A minister should always look for opportunities to commend and encourage those who have unselfishly given their time, effort, and resources in order to excel in the service for the Lord.

 

• References

 

1. The Bible (New King James Version)
2. Training Men to Preach by Claude E. Guild
3. A Code for Those Who Preach by John Waddey
4. Is There a Universal Code of Ethics? by Jim E. Waldron
5. The Code of Professional Responsibility by Vincent S. Albano
6. The Code of Judicial Conduct by Ernani Cruz Paño
7. The Bureaucratic Norms by Eusebio Miclat
8. Canons of Professional Ethics by Ruben E. Agpalo
9. Canon of Judicial Ethics by Ruben E. Agpalo
10. Ethics by Paul J. Glenn
11. Legal and Judicial Ethics by Ernani Cruz Paño