"A Code of Ethics, Rules or Guidelines?"
Several years ago I was asked to present a report on "Professional Ethics for Pastors" to the task group on ethics of a nearby church adjudicatory (synod). This necessitated some contemplation of what the codes for a pastor's ethics should be, and how they related to the larger world of professional ethics for such vocations as physicians, attorneys, teachers, etc.
In large part the general concerns are the same. Professionals of all types are to be honest, respect others, and to hold to confidentiality. But some of the concerns that surround a minister's special expertise called for additional provisions in any professional code of ethics for pastors: being true to the gospel in preaching, teaching and pastoral care-- lift up Christ and not "me" in ministry; do not plagiarize other people's ideas in sermons; keep confidentiality within the confessional; and don't use private information in sermons.
But should there be a code of ethics for pastors and rostered lay people in church work? If there is a code of ethics should it be considered as rules or guidelines? These questions continue to challenge the church and its leadership. I believe a general code of ethics should be developed as guidelines. In the book Ministerial Ethics: Moral Formation For Church Leaders Joe Trull and James E. Carter (Baker Academic, Revised Edition, 2004) helpfully provide some developed clergy codes. However, there should always be a realization-- as there is in any "rulebook"-- that attention should be paid to the context of actions or behavior and not practice a code of ethics as a moral absolute.
An example of how this kind of a code could be practiced would be in the ministers who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in March, 1965. One may surmise that for clergy in some of the adjudicatories that marched with Dr. King there were prohibitions against such a display of allegiance. Perhaps the prohibitions surrounded the issue of racism, but maybe even some "case law" existed for not taking that kind of public stance. When viewed within the context of the civil rights movement, that participation should have been allowed and endorsed by adjudicatory heads.
Unfortunately codes of ethics are often used without concern for context or other variables. In fact whenever laws and rules of duty ethics are employed, there is the possibility of using them for "reining in" constituents who are addressed by the code. Consequently, there should be a judicious development and use of codes so as not to discourage prophetic discipleship, such as in the case of civil rights.
I believe that most ethical expectations for pastors are the same for laypeople. Consequently, such things as the golden rule and the twofold love command should be the basis of our common Christian life. All Christians are to live lives as servants. We are to show compassion and stand up for the just, according to Micah 5. Ultimately pastors and laity are to seek to live exemplary lives, with the goal of following Christ's design for our lives. Above all, when we fail to be faithful to God's design, we are to ask God's forgiveness and seek to reach our ethical goals from that time on.
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