Business Ethics for Ministry Assistants

Written by Brooks Faulkner

Let's get practical. What are the standards of ethics for a ministry assistant? What are the dangers? What privileges or licenses are possible to help me get my work done?

First, a biblical base is essential. "Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do (Philippians 4:5, TLB)."

Unselfishness is a standard.: The hub of activity does not revolve around the ministry assistant.

Being considerate is a standard.: It's a big thing. "Considerate" is a concise word for the Golden Rule. Be aware of others' needs. You should not subjugate your own needs to theirs. But, being sensitive to how you are coming across to others is the key. It means knowing how to use simple but powerful phrases: "Thank you." "I'm sorry." "I understand." "I was wrong." "Let's try again." Even, "It's no big problem."

Also, biblically, remember, "most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14, TLB)." I know what you are thinking: Paul was never a member of our church. If he were, he would know "staying together in perfect harmony" is not possible in our church.

But the promise may be surprising. The central part of the verse is "let love guide your life." It is an ideal, a goal, a paramount godly expectation.

Here are a few things to remember, however:

1. Being ethical is no guarantee you will get along with others. Their agendas may be different. But you have not chosen an ethical direction for the benefit of anyone but yourself as the result of your relationship with God. Conflict is natural. Resolution of conflict is a continuing need.

2. Being ethical does not mean "confidentiality at all costs." If someone on the same team you are on is committing a blatantly immoral act, discretion is important. However, responsibility is a must. The biblical formula is go to that person and confront. If the behavior continues, take someone with you. If it still continues, take the matter to a responsible body. Sexual harassment, theft, adultery, harmful gossip and vulgarity are but a few of the behaviors that should not be guarded with unbending confidentiality.

3. Being ethical does not mean you will be free of stress. Wayne Oates feels "to be ethical means to be able to hang together as a whole person with integrity in the face of stressful decision making." It is not freedom from stress; it is strength during stress.

4. Being ethical means keeping your word. Wayne Oates in his book, "Convictions That Give You Confidence," wrote, "The promises we make and keep endear the heart, the promises we make and break, break us apart."

Make promises sparingly and wisely. But then, keep them. A promise is a covenant. It is a contract. It is your word. More than that, it is who you are and what you stand for.

Promises made and kept have long-lasting effects. "I give my word" means "I am an ally." It means that I establish a forum for respect. The dynamics of broken promises are complicated and potentially dangerous.

First, there is privileged information. Privileged information is exciting. The natural result is sharing privileged information. It is fun to share juicy "tidbits" that could be labeled "privileged." Those who have a tendency to be compulsive use language like, "I just can't hold this anymore. I've got to tell someone."

But the cycle of sharing privileged information is like that of a person who is addicted to drugs. After the effect has worn off, there is great guilt because you manipulated the physician into writing another prescription. Then another. And another. Like the addict looking for the next prescription, the next tidbit of juicy information must be even more extravagant. Promises are broken. Respect is lost. Trust is dissipated.

Keeping your word may be the most sacred trait a ministry assistant can have.

5. Being ethical means respecting copyrights. Pastors and staff frequently write for publications. Musicians often need additional copies. Duplicating copyrighted material is being frowned on. It is not unusual for a church to be sued for the illegal duplication of copyrighted illustrations, resources and music. It has become a frequent occurrence.

It is easy to "wink" at a small indiscretion of duplicating music or materials that are specifically labeled "not for duplication." It is easy--but it is extremely dangerous. Use good, common, practical sense. Don't do it. Take a little more time; write for permission. The printed words usually take very little effort to get permission for small portions to be printed or duplicated. Music is difficult, however--almost impossible.

A good rule of thumb is, "If in doubt, check it out."

Conclusion

First Thessalonians 4:11-12 gives a good summary of business ethics for ministry assistants: "This should be your ambition: To live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will trust and respect you, and you will not need to depend on others for enough money to pay your bills (TLB)."

Brooks R. Faulkner is senior manager, LeaderCare Section, Pastor-Staff Leadership Department, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tenn.

This article is taken from Secretary: FYI, Fall 1997.

Information for this article was taken from the following sources:
The Living Bible. Copyright (c) Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Ill., 1971. Used by permission.
Paul Simmons, ed., Issues in Christian Ethics (Nashville: Broadman, 1980), 105.
Wayne Oates, Convictions That Give You Confidence (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1984), 97.

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