Below is a great read from Ed Stetzer. He was talking about the need for ministers to have boundaries in ministry, and he highlighted Rick Warren’s Saddleback’s Ten Commandments for staff members.
At the churches I planted, we always used something like Saddleback’s Ten Commandments:
- Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.
- Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you.
- Thou shalt not kiss any attender of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned.
- Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
- Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.
- Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.
- Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex.
- Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards or letters from the opposite sex.
- Thou shalt make your co-worker your protective ally.
- Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.
(The first four do not apply to unmarried staff.)
I hope you have a list like this for your own life and ministry.
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality…” (Ephesians 5:3).
Read more here.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
Trav,
Hope things are going well for you. Thought I would pass these along, per your post:
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1334_You_Arent_Safe_from_Adultery/
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/642_pipers_pastoral_accountability/
D
Thanks for those links Easler. Good stuff!