Page 83 - Biblical Ethics Course

Study Section 12: Code of Ethics

12.1 Connect

Every believer should be willing to stand up for Jesus! We need to publicly declare that we follow
Christ and desire to live the life He lived. We have discovered that Biblical Ethics is very visible.
People will see what you do and what decisions you make. Have you ever heard this saying?

Your life speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying!!!

In this lesson we want to give you a sample code of ethics. Basically, this code is a public confession of how you
intend to live and how you make decisions. It is a statement of character and action. If you are a believer, you
should be willing to make this Code of Ethics personally yours. You should be able to state the code to others
and request that they watch what you do to abide by it. Let’s look at the code….

12.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to commit to living by the Code of Ethics presented in this section.

2. The student should be able to define the ethical vocabulary presents at the end of this section.

12.3 Sample Code of Ethics

Pastor or Senior Minister Code
(Includes basic obligations for all ministers)

Preamble
Pastoral ethics, like all of Christian ethics, should encompass both actions and character. What we do and who
we are authenticates the Word we proclaim, the leadership we provide and the pastoral care we extend.
Pastoral ethics includes such characteristics as integrity, trustworthiness, purity, accountability and fairness.
These qualities are not merely a professional ethics standard, but are the embodiment of biblical commitments.

As a minister of Jesus Christ, called by God to proclaim the gospel and
gifted by the Spirit to pastor the church, I dedicate myself to conduct my
ministry according to the ethical guidelines and principles set forth in this
code of ethics, in order that my ministry be acceptable to God, my service
be beneficial to the Christian community, and my life be a witness to the
world.

Responsibilities to Self
1. I will maintain my physical and emotional health through regular exercise, good eating habits, and the
proper care of my body.
2. I will nurture my devotional life through a regular time of prayer, reading of the Scriptures, and
meditation.

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