The process of Christian accountability has rarely been as sorely taxed as in 1995. The misdeeds of Christian leaders, involving primarily financial and personal wrongdoing, has harmed the witness of the church.
Sin is no respecter of persons. It is an equal opportunity experience for everyday believers as well as leaders. This year, the names of Ellen Cooke of the Episcopal church, Jack Bennett from New Era Philanthropy, and Christian music’s Sandi Patty have been prominently in the headlines. But their misconduct is symptomatic of the more troubling reality that the corporate witness of the Christian community is in grave jeopardy.
BETRAYALS OF TRUST
There is hope for renewal for the Christian institutions and individuals who have betrayed the trust invested in them. But that renewal must not be compromised by easy reconciliation and cheap restoration.
Rather, a full-bodied hope and robust renewal should be centered not only on grace (which brings forgiveness), but also costly amendment of life (which can restore public trust and Christian credibility).
Created in 1979, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability was formed out of the fundraising scandals of the 1970s and grew after the moral scandals of the 1980s. In the 1990s, the evangelical movement needs a deeper and broader level of accountability to reflect the changing circumstances of Christian ministry.
One of the profound changes occurring within Christian ministry has been the reality that the evangelical market now represents billions of dollars spent annually for goods and services, including books, music, educational materials, counseling, management, and countless other needs. Christian retailing alone accounts for $3 billion in annual spending, according to industry statistics.
As a result, there are new alliances between Christians and non-Christians that function in an increasingly competitive environment to meet the ministry and personal needs of believers. In addition, there is a developing trend for secular corporations to purchase Christian-owned and -operated companies or to hire believers to operate divisions to service the Christian market. Such alliances can be mutually beneficial, but they also require greater vigilance on the part of Christian partners because they are operating daily in an environment that does not share their ministry goals.
INTERVENTION AND MEDIATION
The new accountability that should infuse Christians in ministry cannot be institutionalized or placed in a few succinct sentences. The institutions already exist, and the codes of ethics are already known.
One component of a renewed accountability would be an expanded role for Christian industry organizations, such as the Gospel Music Association, the National Association of Religious Broadcasters, Christian Booksellers Association, the Evangelical Press Association, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and others. These groups should deputize a handful of senior individuals with unimpeachable credentials. Acting as ombudsmen, such people could intervene and mediate directly with individuals when crises erupt or when rumors of misplaced trust surface. In addition, Christian industry organizations should more vigorously enforce the ethical standards already in place.
Second, when for-profit corporations purchase a Christian company or start a division to service the Christian market, Christians should make sure the companies openly commit themselves to the ministry nature of the enterprise, which may mean telling their authors and recording artists to behave themselves, if only for the sake of the bottom line.
Third, an expanded use of “moral turpitude” clauses in recording, book, and employment contracts for high-profile leaders, artists, and authors would further motivate a more energetic accountability.
Fourth, the Christian press must stiffen its resolve not to back down when officials attempt to block unflattering stories. Leaders in public ministry must face public accountability.
Finally, the select few churches that have a ministry to artists, authors, or other prominent leaders should develop accountability methods, which could be shared with other congregations. For example, the North Anderson Church of God, Sandi Patty’s home church, has had important experience in the ongoing process of accountability. When they close out the current chapter in their pastoral care of their most famous member, they will have important lessons to be shared.
Early in his career, evangelist Billy Graham and his ministry team made a list of things that had brought down the ministries of others, including financial impropriety, sexual temptations, inflated publicity, and wrongful criticism. They then made a commitment—known as the Modesto Manifesto—and laid strategies to avoid even the appearance of those things for all time to come. That commitment is a model for all ministries, even the ones that function like businesses.
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