CODE OF ETHICS?

             A news article reports that the National Association of Evangelicals has issued a code of ethical behavior for pastors. When I read this my first thought was “Duh…!  Isn’t the Bible pretty clear how a Christian should act, much more so a pastor.”  After all, Paul wrote to the young Timothy, “A bishop (pastor) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous…” (1 Timothy 3:2-3)

            News stories from time to time report on clergy who have defrauded their congregations financially, engaged in illicit sexual relationships, or have broken the trust of others in a multitude of ways. But I question if signing a code of conduct will really mean much to a person who is not willing to abide by the scriptural code of conduct.

            Evidently some pastors are like some other Christians who feel their special circumstances exempt them from one or more of the Bibles injunctions.  I have counseled with some who have used this argument with me. Under their circumstances, they did nothing wrong.

            Anyway, I applaud any effort to get pastors to behave.  In the article it was reported that the NAE is now working on a code of conduct for churches. Wow!  I’ll be interested in knowing what areas they address. I could give them a bushel full.

Grace and peace.  

OLYMPICS

            As of this past week the summer Olynpics are gone once again for four years.  I watched the highlights on the news reports, but not much of the actual competitions. But not only the games and competitions were covered. The stories of many of the athletes were highlighted. Some overcame great odds to become Olympians. Also highlighted was the extreme training some of the athletes endured to get into their best physical shape for the competition. I’ve never been an athlete, and never endured athletic level training.  But my brush with training was in physical education in high school.  So I know what it is like to exercise until you think you are going to drop. I know what it is to have muscles so sore that you can hardly move. Therefore, as I watched the potential Olympians going through their training, I had great sympathy for them along with great admiration for their willingness to undertake it.

            As I watched them, I was reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

            Christians often think that the race is over, we already have the prize, i.e. new life in Christ.  But we must still present ourselves to our coach and judge. We need to “run in such a way as to get the prize.”  That prize will be the commendation of Christ, “well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Grace and peace.  

COMPUTERS

             I was dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age in the early l990’s when the church staff in Pensacola took away my typewriter and put a computer on my desk.  In order to work with the office staff and prepare my columns and other materials, I was forced to use MS DOS, the operating system for the computer.  A few years later the church went to Windows and I had to learn it.  Then the church logged on to the internet, and again I faced a learning curve.  When I moved my major office to my residence, I took my computer with me and subscribed to an internet service to enable me to still participate with the office staff.

            My children and grandchildren carry a computer in their pockets, their iPhones.  They browse the internet wherever they are, send and receive email, text messages and I don’t know what all else.  The advancement of computers and the internet over just two decades is truly amazing.

            I am still behind the curve.  But last weekend, during the sales tax free holiday, I invested in a lap top computer.  It is on the lower end of the cost and power spectrum, but is equal to or greater than the three year old computer on my desk. I’m still working on understanding everything about it, but I’m getting there.

            The computer age has been revolutionary for everyone, including preachers.  I can hardly prepare a sermon now without the internet. The internet has a plethora of Bible dictionaries, concordances, commentaries and other Bible helps, all available with a couple of clicks of the mouse.  Of course I could always go back to the old books again, but what a drag.  Also, with search engines you can find information you need on any subject, information which is more up to date than any printed encyclopedia.

            Considering what man has accomplished, there is no room to doubt all the many things that God has made or accomplished.  “Many, O Lord, are Your wonderful works which You have done.”  (Psalm 40:5)

Grace and peace.