Our Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct

The Bible does not specify a “code of conduct” except that we should, all of us, leaders or not, “observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20).

However, the public and private conduct of church leaders *, whether full-time or lay, has a very big impact in that it can inspire or motivate, or it can scandalize and stumble those we lead, and bring honour or disrepute to His name.  We must therefore seek to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  (Colossians 1:10)

The responsibility to observe all that the Lord Jesus had commanded, and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, rests with the individual.  However, the local church should have the responsibility to investigate and to take appropriate disciplinary action, for serious breaches.  Disciplinary action may take the form of a verbal or written reproach, removal from office, or reporting criminal action to the authorities.

The leaders adopt the practice of signing an annual pledge to adhere to a Code of Conduct, as a yearly reminder and re-dedication to the Lord.

* For the purpose of this Code of Conduct, church leaders refer to elders, deacons, pastors and ministry heads.

 

PPHBC Code of Conduct

As a church leader, I pledge to live an exemplary life (1 Corinthians 11:1 – Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ;  1 Timothy 4:12b – …set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity) of:

  1. Holiness and purity.  Hebrews 12:14 – Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
  2. Integrity.  Proverbs 11:3 – The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
  3. Faithfulness as a steward.  1 Corinthians 4:2 – Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

As a church leader, I shall not:

  • breach confidences shared by church members, unless there is a clear and imminent danger that harm may occur to any person by keeping the confidence.
  • engage in, or give any hint of engaging in inappropriate sexual intimacy.  Ephesians 5:3 – But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
  • plagiarize sermons or other teaching materials.
  • covet, and be careful to exercise utmost propriety in financial matters.