Pastoral Ethics

“That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). With these words Paul reminds Timothy that serving God is not only about what we say, but also about how we live and how we treat people.

Pastoral ethics is exactly this: the study of how to exercise ministry faithfully to the Word, so that our service is effective and fruitful. It is not only for pastors: it is useful to anyone with a responsibility in the church, from elders to group leaders, from teachers to deacons.

In the first module we will see what pastoral ethics is, why a leader’s first tool is example, and what it means to commit yourself personally so that you “lack nothing”.

In the second module we will tackle the heart of ministry: teaching and exhorting with authority, avoiding useless disputes, facing opponents and rebuking in love.

In the third module we will talk about integrity: confidentiality and boundaries in relationships, money and power, and watching over yourself and the flock.

As in every BereaWay course, each lesson starts from Scripture, examines it carefully and connects it to the concrete situations of church life.

What you will learn

• Understand what pastoral ethics is and why it concerns every servant of the church
• Be an example in word, conduct and relationships
• Teach, exhort and rebuke with authority and love
• Handle confidentiality, money, power and relational boundaries with integrity
• Watch over yourself and the flock for a ministry that lasts