helping churches and their leaders become healthy
Ministry Health
"Ministering in a changing world" - Dr Steve Smith
There was a time when the Australian community presumed that their
local minister was always above reproach - honourable and safe. In
fact, research reveals that in 1975 more than four-out-of-five
Australians regarded ministers as honest and trustworthy. Sadly, thirty
years later a growing number of Australians wouldn't trust a minister
to watch their wallet or their children. In a recent (November 2005)
Morgan Gallup Poll only 52% of Australians regard Ministers of Religion
as having high "ethics and honesty" ranking below nurses (89%), school
teachers (74%), engineers (68%) and university lecturers (64%).
In these changing times the NSW Churches of Christ have put in place four initiatives to help address some of the issues that are causing Australians to question the credibility of ministers. These initiatives are: (1) The introduction of a Minister's Code of Conduct; (2) the development of a Professional Standards Unit; (3) a process for Endorsing Ministers; and (4) encouraging their Ongoing Professional Development.
These initiatives also strengthen our relationship with insurance providers and the Australian Tax Office as we clarity who our ministers are and demonstrate their commitment to high ethical and professional standards. This process also encourages Ongoing Professional Development which is designed to help ministers grow spiritually, academically and in service to others.
"Ongoing Professional Development provides opportunities for ministers to be emotionally refreshed, mentally stretched, spiritually renewed and professionally equipped."
Historically, our movement has a rich heritage where every member is valued as being both a minister and missionary. We hope this never changes and acknowledge that it is God who recognizes who is serving in his kingdom, not us. However, we do live in times when matters of insurance, taxation, and legal issues have to be dealt with in a manner that reflects the expectations of the community and government. This means transparency, honesty and accountability. In reality this reflects the high calling that God has made upon us. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15)
In general, we earn trust when people can observe our behaviour as worthy and credible. Perhaps, one day we will reclaim the trust of most Australian families. Hopefully, together we can help the community develop a growing confidence in the calling, character and competence of ministers within our family of churches. Ultimately, this will be when we demonstrate that we reflect the character of the one we follow - in other words when we look like Jesus.
Dr. Stephen Smith is employed with Churches of Christ to build healthy spiritual leaders who can help build healthy missional churches. He can be contacted at health@freshhope.org.au
In these changing times the NSW Churches of Christ have put in place four initiatives to help address some of the issues that are causing Australians to question the credibility of ministers. These initiatives are: (1) The introduction of a Minister's Code of Conduct; (2) the development of a Professional Standards Unit; (3) a process for Endorsing Ministers; and (4) encouraging their Ongoing Professional Development.
These initiatives also strengthen our relationship with insurance providers and the Australian Tax Office as we clarity who our ministers are and demonstrate their commitment to high ethical and professional standards. This process also encourages Ongoing Professional Development which is designed to help ministers grow spiritually, academically and in service to others.
"Ongoing Professional Development provides opportunities for ministers to be emotionally refreshed, mentally stretched, spiritually renewed and professionally equipped."
Historically, our movement has a rich heritage where every member is valued as being both a minister and missionary. We hope this never changes and acknowledge that it is God who recognizes who is serving in his kingdom, not us. However, we do live in times when matters of insurance, taxation, and legal issues have to be dealt with in a manner that reflects the expectations of the community and government. This means transparency, honesty and accountability. In reality this reflects the high calling that God has made upon us. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15)
In general, we earn trust when people can observe our behaviour as worthy and credible. Perhaps, one day we will reclaim the trust of most Australian families. Hopefully, together we can help the community develop a growing confidence in the calling, character and competence of ministers within our family of churches. Ultimately, this will be when we demonstrate that we reflect the character of the one we follow - in other words when we look like Jesus.
Dr. Stephen Smith is employed with Churches of Christ to build healthy spiritual leaders who can help build healthy missional churches. He can be contacted at health@freshhope.org.au
