Should Christians Study Ethics for Ministry? (2)

By James Quansah, Pastor.
 
IN THE previous edition, we laid a solid foundation by defining ethics and ministry, and discussing varied views expressed by scholars and ministers relating to the topic. Asiedu-Amoako points out that “the study of ethics prepares the mindset of a person to avoid common errors of ethical reasoning.” A person imbued with ethical knowledge will, for example, shun the error of reducing Christian morality to a mere set of rules.
 
One thing that must be understood is that a Christian may be a minister of state, Member of Parliament, District Chief Executive or a government official. In the performance of his duties, he may face moral problems in devising or adopting policies that may benefit the government or be detrimental to the entire citizenry in the long run.
 
Such a situation requires that the Christian political leader brings to the fore his expertise in Christian ethics by considering the interest of the ordinary citizens over that of few officials of government. In a situation like this, the Christian leader must be guided by teleological ethics which is concerned with the outcome or end results of his decisions.
 
An example of this may be the allocation of resources or developmental projects. There have been instances in various parts of country (Ghana) where government’s officials have diverted projects meant for a specific community to another community. Similarly, in the church, a Christian leader may be faced with ethical problem in deciding whether to use church income realised from the annual harvest to build the church auditorium or his personal house.
 
And what if a Christian is a judge? Should he or she take bribes offered them and pervert justice? These are important decisions that call for ethical considerations. Clearly, the need for Christian ministers to study of ethics cannot be over-emphasised.
 
Secondly, a  minister of the gospel ought to be informed about the fact that he is a member of the community of believers who are described in Scripture as the light of the world (Matthew 5: 14-16); the whole world lies in darkness (1 John 5:19). With this knowledge, the Christian ought to be greatly informed about the thing which gives him light in making good decisions.
 
Clearly, this thing is the knowledge of ethics which come through studying Christian ethics by the Word of God. Constantly, the Christian is forced by life’s circumstances to make moral decisions in complex and ambiguous situations. For example, he must learn to show the way in making ethical decisions about abortion or homosexuality.
 
For a Christian to be able to do this, he or she needs ethical insight to enable him make better decisions in the moral struggle. Samuel, the prophet of God, was an ethical person. Thus, one day, he challenged the congregation of Israel to expose him if he had taken anything unjustifiably from any of them.
“…I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you (1 Samuel 12:2-3). Indeed, knowing and practicing ethics make a person bold and confident in the face of false accusations. 
 
Moreover, it is important to study ethics because the teaching of Jesus, the Head of the Church, by which Christians live their lives, is ethical as well as theological. It is, therefore, incumbent on those who seek to interpret Christianity to first understand and analyse the ethical content of the gospel and even the epistles as they were written by the inspiration by the Spirit of Christ.
 
Thus, the Christian minister must have the Word of Christ richly dwelling in him in order for him to make sound ethical decisions and guide others. Jesus says, “If a blind man leads a blind man, they both will fall into a pit,” (Matthew 15:14). The ethical implication in this passage for a Christian leader is that by his calling, he is expected to shepherd people which includes offering moral guidance for them.
 
But how can he offer sound guidance in ethical situations if he is ignorant about what God considers morally good and ethically acceptable. When the minister studies ethics, he is exposed to deep knowledge of ethical principles and standards with which he can serve others to make Godly decisions.
 
Many Christians have been led astray to commit immoral acts because their leaders were not ethical in their dealings. Sometime in 1998, an evangelist planted a mega church in Accra, but years later, the membership of the church reduced drastically. The reason for that challenge was the consequence of unethical decisions the evangelist made. He had bad relationship with women in the church and misappropriated the church funds.
 
It is known among many ministers of God that women, money and fame are the three major things that are often used to entice them to fall. These are often referred to as the 3Fs i.e. females, finance and fame. Most men of God are tempted in these three areas to get them off their divine assignments and duties. But a study of ethics and its application in a Christian’s life by the guidance of the Holy Spirit will save him from scandals.
 
The study of ethics also helps Christians especially pastors to know how to conduct their lives and order their priorities in relation to their assistants, women, visiting ministers, giving and receiving gifts, church service and others. In fact, ethics is important for everything in ministry. Paul, the apostle, was an ethical Christian leader who knew how to relate with different people.
 
To be continued…