Up to Code
An interview with Joe E. Trull
January 1, 2003
Scandal among Catholic clergy is forcing all ministers to reconsider practices—not just in working with children, but in setting ethical standards in all areas. Pastors are finding it's time to dust off the code of ethics, and in light of recent social and technological developments, it's time to rewrite.
Or for those without, it's time to draft one.
Many denominations have such a code in place. For their pastors, adopting the code is mandatory. Some in the free church tradition have resisted adopting a national or regional standard, because of issues of authority and autonomy.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas is considering, for the first time in its history, adopting a model code of ethics for ministers. The recommendation came from Joe Trull, editor of Christian Ethics Today, the author of several books on ministerial ethics, and a Texas pastor.
Why is it important, especially now, for pastors to have a code of ethics?
In a word, accountability.
A Texas pastor once said, "In most other denominations, clergy are fools who are restrained by the hierarchy of the denomination, but Baptists are just fools at large." His point, tongue in cheek, was one of accountability. A code of ethics can provide a framework for accounting for our behavior.
But we have seen the failure, in large numbers, of pastors who have systems of accountability.
True. A code of ethics by itself will not keep anybody from sinning. Nevertheless, a good code of ethics, rightly used, is an encourager to do the right thing.
Every three to five years, the minister should examine the code and rewrite parts of it. A code of ethics, like your own personal beliefs—your understanding of God—has to be growing. As ministers mature spiritually, we also grow ethically. ...
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