Agape School of Supernatural Ministry
Code of Ethics
Before Billy Graham became world famous, he was a little known evangelist with a small ministry team. In the late 1940’s and early ‘50s, evangelists were infamous for scandals and Graham was determined to avoid the unethical and immoral problems that often tainted other ministries. One afternoon while ministering in Modesto CA, he and his team developed a list of resolutions by which they would run their ministry. Later referred to as The Modesto Manifesto, this set of commitments served them well as the Billy Graham Association during a half century of ministry never endured an ethical or moral scandal, and enjoyed high levels of trust with the public. AgapeSSM will be well-served to adopt a similar code of ethics by which we run the ministry.
AGAPE SCHOOL OF SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY
Code of Ethics
A. MONEY AND DONATIONS
We will have in place processes and policies that will ensure all money is handled with integrity. There will be accountability in each step. While not currently a member of ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability - to which a majority of North American ministries belong) we will adopt practices that adhere to their standards of conduct (see addendum below). I Tim 6:10,17-19; I Pet 5:2-3; Dan 6:4, Ps 112:5
B. SEXUAL IMMORALITY
We will avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion. If married, we will not travel, meet or eat alone with a member of the opposite sex other than our spouses. If meeting for purposes of work, we will do so in settings that are professional and safe, with full awareness of spouses and colleagues. (For further clarification see Rick Warren’s list he created for his ministry staff - Addendum 1 below) 2 Tim 2:22; 1 Thess 4:3-4; Eph 5:3;
C. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER MINISTRIES AND BELIEVERS
We will love our fellow believers in Jesus Christ and will strive for relationship and cooperation when possible. We will speak highly of local churches and encourage our students to continue serving their home churches. If criticized by fellow believers, we will bless publicly and refuse to take offense, choosing to either ignore criticisms or to contact privately for discussion. Among ourselves we will speak of other ministries, even those which oppose us or with whom we disagree, with honor and genuine love. 2 Tim 2:24; Matt 5:11-12, 39, 44; Rom 14:1-13
D. PUBLICITY AND REPORTING
To earn the trust of others, our words must be consistently trustworthy. Therefore we will show integrity in our publicity and media reports. We will not exaggerate numbers or results but will strive for accuracy in all of which we speak. We will seek to confirm testimonies of healing, deliverance, and other reports of God’s wonderful power. We will be biased toward conservative estimates. Hype, spin, and exaggeration will be avoided. 2 Cor 8:21; Eph 5:25; Prov 12:22
ADDENDUM 1
As Christian leaders, we need to be above reproach. Paul wrote, “Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence” (1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG).
That’s why I established these Saddleback Staff Standards for maintaining moral integrity:
1. Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex. *
2. Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you. *
3. Thou shalt not kiss any attendee of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned. *
4. Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
5. Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.
6. Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.
7. Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attendee of the opposite sex.
8. Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or letters from the opposite sex.
9. Thou shalt make your secretary your protective ally.
10. Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.
* The first three do not apply to unmarried staff.
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” (Ephesians 5:3 NIV).
ADDENDUM 2
ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible StewardshipTM
Standard 1 –
Doctrinal Issues – Every organization shall subscribe to a written statement of faith clearly affirming a commitment to the evangelical Christian faith or shall otherwise demonstrate such commitment, and shall operate in accordance with biblical truths and practices.