Ministry Resources
Ministerial Code of Ethics
for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
In 1944 a ministerial code of ethics for the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) was published by Disciples Home Missions.
That code was developed over a period of several years through
the efforts of a widely diverse church-wide committee. It was
reviewed and refined as dozens of ministers' associations and
fellowships and hundreds of individuals responded to the committee's
request for evaluation of the document.
A General Church committee has periodically reviewed the Code of Ethics. Occasionally, editorial changes have been made. The
General Commission on Ministry and its predecessor, the General
Board Task Force on Ministry, have worked over the past several
years with The Disciples Home Missions to update the
code of ethics. Proposed changes have been reviewed by regional
commissions on ministry as well as by many individuals.
The revised code of ethics maintains much of the language of
the original; the principles which guide ministry remain the
same from generation to generation. The ministerial code of
ethics has withstood the test of time and is commended to be
read and followed by all ministers as a high code of professional
conduct.
General Commission on Ministry.
Believing that Jesus is the Christ, Son
of the living God and proclaiming Christ as Savior of the World,
I reaffirm my vows as an ordained or licensed minister. Through
dedication and discipline I will lead and serve with integrity.
Relying on the grace of God, I commit myself to the following:
Personal Conduct
- witnessing to the ministry of Jesus Christ;
- dedicating time, strength, vitality and energy for effective
ministry;
- growing in faith, knowledge and the practice of ministry
through the spiritual disciplines, study, continuing education
and service;
- living a life that honors my commitments to my family, including
the need for privacy and time together;
- taking time for physical and spiritual renewal, recreation
and vacation;
- being a faithful steward of God's gifts to me by managing
time, talents and financial resources responsibly and generously;
- accepting responsibility for all debts which I incur, and refraining from gossip;
- keeping physically and emotionally fit, and refraining from
substance abuse and other abusive behaviors;
- using my position, power and authority in non-exploitive
ways;
- maintaining high moral standards in my sexual behavior;
- regarding all persons with equal respect and concern, and
undertaking to minister impartially.
Relationships to the Church which I serve
- nurturing and offering my gifts for ministry to the church;
- calling forth and nurturing the gifts of others in the Church
and joining their gifts with mine for the sake of the mission
of Jesus Christ and the health of the church;
- preaching and teaching the gospel without fear or favor
and speaking the truth in love;
- administering the sacraments and services of the Church
with integrity and not for financial gain;
- working cooperatively and collegially with those whom I
serve in the particular ministry to which I have been called;
- administering the corporate finances of the Church with
personal integrity;
- refraining from accepting any gift which would compromise
the Church's ministry;
- protecting confidences, with the exception of reporting known or suspected cases of physical or sexual abuse and neglect;
- encouraging and participating in the regular evaluation
of my ministry and cooperating with the Region in the periodic
review of my ministerial standing;
- seeking the counsel of the Regional Minister should divisive
tensions threaten my relationship with those I serve.
Relationships to ministry colleagues
- engaging in covenantal relationships with colleagues which
involve nurture, discipline, family support, vigorous dialogue,
mutual teaching/learning and spiritual formation;
- supporting colleagues in ministry and their families while
not exploiting their problems or crises;
- performing pastoral services within another congregation
or for a member of another congregation only at the invitation
of the pastor of that congregation;
- supporting and at no time speaking maliciously of the ministry
of my predecessor or another minister in the congregation
in which I hold membership;
- encouraging the ministry of my successor upon my retirement
or other departure from a ministry position, without interfering
or intruding, and by making it clear to former parishioners
that I am no longer their pastor.
Relationships to the community and the wider Church
- participating responsibly in the life and work of my community,
bearing prophetic witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, working
toward a just and morally responsible society;
- participating faithfully in the life and work of all manifestations
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);
- seeking to know, understand and respect the diversity of
opinions and people within the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ);
- being a responsible representative of the one Church of
Jesus Christ and participating in activities that strengthen
its unity, witness and mission.
—Published by the Search
and Call Office
Get your copy suitable for framing
A copy of "My Ministerial Code of Ethics" printed in two colors,
size 9 x 12 inches, is available upon request.
Address your order to:
Disciples Home Missions
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, Ind. 46206
or send e-mail to: wlynn@dhm.disciples.org
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