The Pastor's Code (Undated)

The Pastor's Code

I have been called by God to be a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have sought to prepare myself spiritually, intellectually, and physically to offer professional ministerial leadership to the Church. I seek to model my ministry after the servant ministry of Jesus Christ.

FREEDOM OF THE PULPIT

I am called to study, interpret, and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ given to us in Scripture and revealed by the Holy Spirit. This congregation expects to be challenged and nurtured by the Word of God, and I attempt to speak the truth in love and with courage in my preaching and teaching.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

I have been called and have prepared myself to preach and teach the gospel, to administer the rites and sacraments of the Church, to provide pastoral care, and to offer leadership in the community, that this congregation may be empowered and enabled for effective ministry and mission.

I will seek to regard all persons with equal love and concern and undertake to minister impartially to the needs of all.

I will hold as sacred all confidences shared with me.

I will stand with those who risk personal well-being because of actions taken in response to their Christian convictions.

I will share the leadership of this congregation with others selected for this purpose and will honor the democratic process in administering the life of this congregation.

I will, upon my termination and departure as pastor, sever my pastoral relations with this congregation recognizing that all future pastoral functions should be fulfilled by my successors.

SUPPORT FOR MINISTRY

I will take responsibility for encouraging adequate standards of compensation for all professional and lay employees of this congregation.

I will interpret to the congregation my need for adequate time for physical and spiritual renewal, recreation, and vacation.

I recognize my need for continued growth in ministerial competence and will work with the congregation to develop a plan and the provision of time and money for continuing educati6n and will participate in such education.

I will interpret to the congregation the role of my family in the life of the congregation and will seek to protect my family's privacy and our need for time together.

I recognize the need for regular assessment of my work as pastor and leader of the congregation and will work with the leaders of the congregation to make provision for this. Should divisive tensions threaten our life together, I will join in seeking the counsel of the Conference or Association Minister and/or the Association Committee on the Ministry.

PARTNERSHIP IN MINISTRY

I believe that the ministry and mission of God's Church depends upon the leadership and labor of both ordained ministers and lay persons. All of us bring our particular skills and gifts, our faithfulness, our strengths and weaknesses to offer in creative and joyful response to the Christian gospel. We worship and work together to become ever more fully and faithfully God's people in this place.

I will stand in a supportive relationship with my colleagues in ministry, offering and receiving counsel of times of need.

I recognize that I am a part of the larger faith community which is the United Church of Christ and will strive to be a responsible participant in Association, Conference and denominational decisions, programs, and actions.

I recognize that the United Church of Christ is a part of the Church Universal and will strive to be a responsible participant in ecumenical activities in order to strengthen the witness and mission of the Church everywhere.