Prevent Clergy Misconduct

Of all clergy misconduct, sexual misconduct is especially reprehensible. Most pastors know dozens of horror stories. For every case of clergy sexual misconduct we read about in the newspaper, many others are never reported.

No pastor or church is free from the risks of misconduct. The only responsible path is to be aware of the problem, vigilant about prevention, and tenacious in following procedures of accountability.

Ground rules:

Watch for problems and warning signs:

What to do?

Reprinted by permission from The Pastor as Moral Guide, copyright 1999 by Rebekah L. Miles. Published by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, Mn., www.fortresspress.com. To order, call 1-800-328-4648.

Rebekah L. Miles is associate professor of Christian Ethics and director of United Methodist Studies at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. She is co-author of Wesley and the Quadrilateral and author of The Bonds of Freedom.

What precautions does your church take to try to prevent clergy sexual misconduct? Has your church recently encountered any crises relating to clergy sexual misconduct? If so, how did God help the congregation deal with it? Visit Crosswalk's forums to discuss this topic by clicking on the link below.

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