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CrossSeekers: Transparent Living – Living a Life of Integrity

Explore the CrossSeekers Covenant principle of "integrity." This interactive book provides a solid biblical foundation for a life of integrity and accountability. The study is designed for individuals or groups, especially those within the active collegiate environment and schedule. Guidance for accountability groups is included, as well as the following topics: • What is a life of integrity? • Integrity in daily living • Integrity in relationships • Integrity in school and work • Integrity with God • Integrity through accountability groups. Brief leader helps are included. (6 sessions)

There can be no doubt the call of God to minister in various capacities is an inestimable privilege. The responsibility which accompanies this service cannot be overestimated. Ministry challenges for churches and their staffs have multiplied. Schedules are full. Phones ring. People drop by. Demands increase and workloads intensify as people’s needs are met on many levels. The challenge to lead with integrity has remained as constant as God’s commendation of Samuel, who was affirmed by his peers in the last days of his life (1 Sam. 12:1-5). God’s servant had spent a lifetime leading others and ministering with integrity. The standard of yesterday remains the same for today.

Integrity—a Sacred Trust from God
God has given to those who are called to ministry a sacred trust that goes far beyond the everyday requirements of care and concern in ministering to people. As part of a ministry team, we are communicating on a daily basis with families who are experiencing the greatest joys—a new birth, a promotion, a baptism, a wedding, a family member coming to know Christ. In the very next moment, one may come face-to-face with families experiencing the deepest sorrows—the diagnosis of a terminal illness, job loss, moral failure, the breakup of a marriage, death. The roller coaster of human emotion is the arena of opportunity for the servant of God. People are looking for stability, encouragement, direction, hope, strength, faith, and forgiveness. The foundation upon which such wisdom is established remains the integrity of the individual whose advice is requested.

Biblical Examples of Integrity
The Bible is the ultimate “handbook” on teaching about this subject. It is filled with examples of people who have served with integrity. Daniel was examined by those to whom he was accountable. No corruption or negligence was found in him, because he was trustworthy (see Dan. 6:4). Daniel would not compromise.

Job is an example of a man who conducted his life with godly integrity, despite his circumstances.

In John 1:47, we read, “When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him, ‘Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false’.” What a tremendous statement!

The clarion call of Paul’s instruction to the church at Philippi was to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27).

Integrity in the Workplace
In what areas of your workplace is your own personal integrity of great importance? Perhaps one of the most critical areas concerns the handling of those who come for pastoral care and counseling. The confidentiality required when scheduling personal conferences and interfacing with people coming for counseling cannot be emphasized enough. Names need to be protected. Circumstances must be guarded. The scheduling of counseling session times must be carefully chosen. Each situation is unique. The common thread weaving its way through each circumstance is the integrity with which everything is handled.

Remember, always resist the temptation to discuss any counseling situation with co-workers or friends. Be extremely careful to notice and resist subliminal and subtle excuses that betray integrity in the name of pseudo-spirituality. Asking others to pray for individuals and circumstances considered private and confidential represents a direct betrayal of integrity in a most serious manner. It is hard to argue and debate when something is presented as a prayer request! Ask yourself the questions, “What is my motive? Will it compromise a sacred trust?” Has confidentiality been implied, assumed, demanded, or politely requested by the one seeking counsel? Does one have to request confidentiality to be guaranteed it? I think not! The lack of integrity in dealing with the lives of those in crisis can be catastrophic.

Integrity in Personal Conduct and Behavior
Another area where integrity in the workplace is of great importance is in your own personal conduct and behavior. Do you arrive on time? Can you be counted on? What about your phone habits? Is there too much time spent at the coffee pot or too much talk at the copy machine? Are you a good steward of office supplies? Are the finances for which you are given responsibility handled according to the rules? These are questions we must ask ourselves from time to time. Others may occur to you.

As ministry assistant or secretary to the pastor, your own personal integrity is a reflection upon his ministry and that of the church you serve. Perhaps your specific area is education, music, youth, or children. Whatever the area of ministry, the minister/assistant relationship is a partnership that cannot be compromised in the area of integrity.

How can we lead successfully with integrity? Upon initial self-examination, it seems to be an impossible task, and of course it is. We cannot do it alone. Integrity in your own spiritual life must be your greatest priority. Here are some suggestions for keeping integrity on track:

Pray.—Seek God’s face. “Pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17).
Prepare.—Study His Word. Know who He is. “Study to shew thyself approved” (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).
Petition.—Seek forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, KJV).
Partner.—Be accountable. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17).
Persevere.—“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good” (2 Thess. 3:13, NASB).
Praise.—“Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Ps. 136:3, NASB).
Please God.—“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col. 3:23-24, NASB).
Proceed.—Lead with integrity. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17).

Serving in the local church in this time in history is one of the greatest privileges that ever could be experienced. God’s people are being called out in record numbers to share the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is He Himself who has led the way for us in defining integrity: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21, NASB).

Scripture marked NASB is from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Donald J. Wilton is pastor of First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Dr. Wilton will be speaking on leadership excellence at the National Conference for Church Leadership 2000 at LifeWay Conference Center at Glorieta/Ridgecrest.

Adapted from the spring 2000 issue of FYI: Secretary, pp. 1, 2. Used by permission.