Christian Code of Ethics (Sample)

The Christian Code of Ethics (Sample) for ministers (Pastor, etc.) is available free to download, customize and print for your Human Resources Dept., church administrative office, etc. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at your convenience.

Christian Code of Ethics

Christian ethics is based on the Bible. They asks what the whole Bible teaches us about which acts and personal character traits receives God's approval and which ones do not. 

Here are the 5 Things You Should Know about Christian Ethics:

1. Christian ethics teaches us how to live. - Christian ethics asks what the whole Bible teaches us about which acts, attitudes and personal character traits receive God's approval and which ones do not.
2. The ultimate basis for Christian ethics is the moral character of God. - God delights in His own moral character, which is supremely excellent, unchanging and eternal. His moral standards for human beings flow from His moral character. God is love so He commands us to love (1 John 4:19). He is holy and He commands us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15). He is merciful and He commands us to be merciful (Luke 6:36). He is truthful and He commands us not to bear false witness (Titus 1:2; Exodus 20:16).
3. Christian ethics teaches us how to live for the Glory of God. - The goal of ethics is to lead a life that glorifies God ("do all to the Glory of God", 1 Cor. 10:37). Such a life will have: 1. A character that glorifies God (a Christ-Like character), 2. results that glorify God (a life that bears abundant fruit for God's Kingdom), and 3. behavior that glorifies God (a life of obedience to God, lived in personal relationship with God).
4. Christian ethics teaches us to consider 4 dimensions of any action and 9 possible sources of information. - Christian ethics isn't concerned only with our right and wrong actions. We're complex people, and life itself is complexed. Therefore, in studying Christian ethics, God wants us to consider not only, 1. the action itself but also, 2. a person's attitudes about the action, 3. the person's motive to doing the action, and 4. the results of the action. In seeking to know God's will, sometimes we must make a decision instantly, with no time to ponder the situation (see the story of Joseph in Genesis 39:12). However, but other times, we're able to ponder a decision at some length. When we have more time to ponder a decision, we can consider as many as 9 possible sources of information and guidance: 1. the Bible, 2. knowledge of the facts of the situation, 3. knowledge of ourselves, 4. advice from others, 5. changed circumstances, 6. our consciences, 7. our hearts, 8. our human spirits, and 9. guidance from the Holy Ghost. We need wisdom from God in order to evaluate these factors rightly in making a decision.
5. Christian ethics is based on the Bible. - One of the purposes of the Bible is to teach us how to live a life that is pleasing to God (Col. 1:9-10); 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:17). The Bible is the Word of God and is a higher authority in ethics than tradition, experience or subjective perceptions of guidance. While these other factors can never override the teaching of Scripture, they can still be helpful for us in making a wise decision.

Does your church have a Christian Code of Ethics? If no, then see the sample below for pastors, ministers, etc. that you can use as a tool to customize and create one specific to fit your church. This form includes:

• Church Name and Title of Form
• Sample Codes of Ethic
• Pastor or Senior Minister Code 1
• Preamble - 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 for 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 nurture my devotional life and personal relationship with Jesus Christ through a regular time of prayer, reading of the Scriptures, and meditation. (See form below for more information.)
• Responsibilities to Family - 1.    I will be fair to every member of my family, giving them the time, love and consideration they need. (See form below for more information.)
• Responsibilities to Congregation - 1.    I will seek to be a servant-minister of the church by following the example of Jesus Christ in faith, love, wisdom, courage and integrity.  (See form below for more information.)
• Responsibilities to Colleagues - 1.    I will endeavor to relate to all ministers, especially those with whom I serve in my church, as partners in the work of God, respecting their ministry and cooperating with them.  (See form below for more information.)
• Responsibilities to Community - 1.    I will consider my primary responsibility is to be pastor of my congregation and will never neglect ministerial duties in order to serve in the community.  (See form below for more information.)
• Associate Minister Code 2 (Education/Music/Youth/Etc.) - I will be supportive and loyal to the senior pastor or, if unable to do so, will seek another pace of service. (See form below for more information.)
• Pastoral Counselor Code 3 -  I will have a pastor/counselor to whom I can turn for counseling and advice. (See form below for more information.)
• Military Chaplain Code 4 -I will be an ethical example of a Christian lifestyle in a military setting. (See form below for more information.)
• Notes - 1. These “Sample Codes” are generic examples of numerous ministerial codes and they have been edited to include the most significant emphases, both principles and specific guidelines, in each category. To write a code, a minister should evaluate his or her own ministry obligations in light of the text discussions, then utilize these sample codes as broad statements of possibilities for a personal code of ministerial ethics. (See form below for more information.)

Church Code of Ethics (Sample)

Return to Pastoral Forms from Christian Code of Ethics (Sample).