a sacred trust professional and ministerial ethics

A Sacred TrustA Sacred Trust

Professional and Ministerial Professional and Ministerial EthicsEthics

Sexuality and JusticeSexuality and Justice

A Neglected A Neglected PerspectivePerspective..

Restoring Right RelationshipsRestoring Right Relationships

The Work of The Work of Justice.Justice.

Sex & PowerSex & Power

Context for Context for Relational Relational Abuse.Abuse.

Sexual Sin: Violation of Sexual Sin: Violation of PersonsPersons

Moving from a Moving from a private morality private morality to a communal to a communal ethic.ethic.

Prophetic VisionProphetic Vision

Hebrew Hebrew Hospitality Hospitality Codes.Codes.

Hebrew Hospitality CodesHebrew Hospitality Codes

You shall not molest the widow, You shall not molest the widow, the orphan, or the alien.the orphan, or the alien.

Because when you were aliens, I Because when you were aliens, I was your was your Go’elGo’el (‘next of kin,’ or (‘next of kin,’ or protector).protector).

Gospel VisionGospel Vision

John 10:John 10:

The good The good shepherd.shepherd.

Model MinisterModel Minister ‘‘Anyone who Anyone who

goes and comes goes and comes in through me, in through me, will find will find safesafe pasture…’pasture…’– John 10John 10

The Illusion of PowerlessnessThe Illusion of Powerlessness

The temptation to The temptation to over-idealize our over-idealize our role as servants.role as servants.

Illusion vs. RealityIllusion vs. Reality

Illusion:Illusion:““I don’t feel powerful…”I don’t feel powerful…”

Illusion vs. RealityIllusion vs. Reality

Illusion:Illusion:““I don’t feel powerful…”I don’t feel powerful…”

Reality:Reality:My title/role has public status.My title/role has public status.

My behavior puts pressure on others.My behavior puts pressure on others.

Sources of PowerSources of Power

Position, Status, Role (authority).Position, Status, Role (authority). Title: Reverend, Pastor, Doctor, Sister, Title: Reverend, Pastor, Doctor, Sister,

Chairperson, President, etc.Chairperson, President, etc. Age Age Gender Gender Race.Race.

Sources of PowerSources of Power

Physical, Psychological Strength.Physical, Psychological Strength. Education, Information, Expertise.Education, Information, Expertise. Experience.Experience. Financial Resources, Possessions.Financial Resources, Possessions. Personality (charm, persuasiveness).Personality (charm, persuasiveness). Sexual Orientation.Sexual Orientation.

Power AbusePower Abuse

Any time I use my resources and Any time I use my resources and advantages to harm others, or advantages to harm others, or

benefit myself at their expense.benefit myself at their expense.

What are What are ‘Boundaries’‘Boundaries’??

““The sanctity of The sanctity of the self within a the self within a relationship…”relationship…”

An Important DifferenceAn Important Difference

Breaking A Vow:Breaking A Vow: – For example violating a marital commitment or For example violating a marital commitment or

religious vow of celibacy.religious vow of celibacy.

Malpractice:Malpractice:– Abusing fiduciary power by violating Abusing fiduciary power by violating

professional or ministerial boundaries.professional or ministerial boundaries.

Intimacy NeedsIntimacy Needs

Primary:Primary:

– Immediate Immediate family, spouse, family, spouse, or partner.or partner.

– Closest circle Closest circle of friends.of friends.

Intimacy NeedsIntimacy Needs

Secondary:Secondary:

– Co-workers Co-workers and colleagues.and colleagues.

– Faith Faith communities communities and those and those served.served.

Preventing Boundary ViolationsPreventing Boundary Violations

Develop good Develop good self-knowledge.self-knowledge.

Maintain healthy Maintain healthy friendships.friendships.

Deal with Deal with disappointments, disappointments, anger, loneliness.anger, loneliness.

Preventing Boundary ViolationsPreventing Boundary Violations

Appropriate time Appropriate time and setting for and setting for appointments.appointments.

Seek supervision.Seek supervision. Maintain balance Maintain balance

in in work/play/prayer.work/play/prayer.

Dual RelationshipsDual Relationships

More than one role with same person.More than one role with same person.

In some professions these are In some professions these are unethical.unethical.

– For example, physicians, For example, physicians, psychologists, psychotherapists.psychologists, psychotherapists.

Dual Relationships & MinistryDual Relationships & Ministry

In ministerial settings, dual In ministerial settings, dual relationships arerelationships are– InevitableInevitable– Sometimes necessarySometimes necessary

More responsibility on the minister More responsibility on the minister – To keep healthy boundariesTo keep healthy boundaries– Maintain responsible relationshipsMaintain responsible relationships

The Central QuestionsThe Central Questions

What is my What is my rolerole of service… of service…

– With this person?With this person?

– At this time?At this time?

– Under these circumstances?Under these circumstances?

The Central QuestionsThe Central Questions

Who is the Who is the focusfocus??

– Is this about helping this person?Is this about helping this person?

– Or is it about meeting my needs?Or is it about meeting my needs?

Relationship ContinuumRelationship Continuum

Professional-------Friendship--------LoverProfessional-------Friendship--------Lover

MaximumMaximum

Professional EffectivenessProfessional Effectiveness

__________________________________________________________________________

MaximumMaximum

Mutual Mutual

IntimacyIntimacy

TransferenceTransference

Unconscious Feelings/NeedsUnconscious Feelings/Needs

AttachmentAttachment (positive or negative) (positive or negative)

TransferenceTransference

Keeping Responsible Keeping Responsible RelationshipsRelationships

The integrity of The integrity of the ministerial the ministerial relationshiprelationship..