Ethics for Christian Ministry by Joe E. Trull

Author:Joe E. Trull
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pastoral Theology;Clergy—Professional ethics;REL074000;REL067070;REL028000
ISBN: 9781493411511
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

The Means to Integrity in Community Ministry: What Should the Community Expect?

Ministry occurs in a context of relationships. And relationships always come with expressed or implied obligations. In the case of the pastor’s relationship with the community, the obligations are somewhat one-sided. In one sense the community owes the pastor and the church nothing more than what is owed to every other business and organization in the area—adequate civil services, fire and police protection, and justice under the law. But pastors and churches, because of the kingdom narrative out of which they live, bear obligations to the community that the community itself may not even recognize. Ministry with integrity requires that those obligations be identified, considered prayerfully, and carried out faithfully. One way of thinking about these ethical responsibilities is to ask, “What should the community expect of God’s people?” Here are five broad areas of legitimate expectation to consider in response to that question.

Good-Neighbor Practices

Pastors and congregations that determine to minister with faithfulness and integrity in their community do so by intentionally engaging good-neighbor practices. Depending on the church’s location, ethical, neighborly behavior may require taking responsibility for the physical impact of the church’s presence on the community. Streets that are clogged by church parking on Sunday mornings may require a more thoughtful parking plan worked out in conversation with those neighbors most affected. Church bells or carillons that may have been appreciated in a time when communities more deeply valued churches may now no longer be as welcome. Church properties, like those of any good neighbor, will need to be well-maintained and landscaped, appropriately lit at night for security or aesthetics—bright church parking lot lights shining through a neighbor’s window at night is not a neighborly practice. Church signage needs to be appealing and maintained. In certain communities, such as smaller towns, relying on local small businesses for various services, even though they may be more expensive, might nevertheless be a wise investment of church resources. Goodwill is not a commodity that can be priced.

Neighbors often hear from churches only when the church wants something from them—their attendance or participation in an event, perhaps. John Beukema, pastor of Village Church in Western Springs, Illinois, suggests finding ways of taking something to them: “We had some of our people go door-to-door offering to fix, clean, paint, or haul stuff away. Recently, our junior high students stood out in the cold, handing cups of hot chocolate to commuters on their way to the train.”25

Good-neighbor practices become especially important during construction projects. Whenever possible, neighbors might be brought in during the design phase to listen or even to contribute. Neighbors will have questions about how this permanent structure will affect their lives and their property. They will want to know what sorts of activities will be associated with the facility and when it will be operating. When the time comes for trucks to roll through the neighborhood and for the noise of construction to begin, neighbors especially need to be on the church’s mind.

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