The Ordered Life

In seminary, I received no ethical training. My former denomination provided no ethical training and no ethical guidelines. Numerous times when I have inquired about such policies, I was either ignored, told that unethical behavior will not occur in our denomination/diocese, or have been given ambiguous information that provides no real guidance. The general area of clergy ethics is of great interest to me.

I have been recently reflecting on the issue of clergy sexual abuse. Various sources on this subject estimate that 15-20% of clergy have sexually abused someone. Sadly, many cases of sexual abuse are unreported, ignored, allowed to continue, or hidden by church leadership. Many churches do not have established policies for handling sexual abuse allegations.

In the interest of ministerial accountability, I have drafted the following statement. This statement is offered as a model for Christian leaders in developing some fundamental approach to dealing with sexual abuse in the church. It does not cover all areas but is intended to address proven abuse by clergy. Any person or organization is free to use or adapt this text if it is found helpful.

If you have comments or suggestions on this issue, please reply with your comments.

Suggested policy on clergy sexual misconduct

When any secular court of law or any agency or committee of this church authorized to adjudge such matters shall find that any ordained minister of this church is guilty of sexual misconduct or sexual abuse of another person, such minister shall be immediately deprived of ministry in this church, shall retain no emoluments thereof, and shall not be restored to such ministry and emoluments unless proven innocent of the sexual misconduct or abuse in question upon proper appeal in the respective jurisdictions.

Sexual misconduct is defined as sexual touching or sexual relations with any person who is not the minister’s spouse. Sexual abuse is defined as (1) rape, or (2) attempt to coerce into sexual touching or sexual relations any person who is not the minister’s spouse.

Today is All Saints Day, when the Church remembers the saints, known and unknown. We thank God for the faithful lives of his people who have provided worthy examples of righteousness for our emulation.

One of my favorite hymns is “For All the Saints.” It provides adequate reflection on the focus of this day. This was the Communion hymn at my ordination to the diaconate.

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!