Responding to God's sacred call, and recognizing His claims upon me and my work as a gospel minister, I pledge that:
1. I shall spend sufficient time in personal study of the Scriptures and in personal prayer and meditation to maintain a continually growing relationship with my God.
2. I shall avoid anything that will weaken me mentally, physically, or spiritually.
3. I shall not abuse the authority given me by the Word of God, but will ever remember the apostle Peter's warning against lording it over the flock.
4. I shall not cheapen my calling by seeking special privileges, gratuities.
5. I shall keep in the strictest integrity all confidences that come to me.
6. I shall refuse to prostitute myself by using information about or from members for personal advantage.
7. I shall not go into the pulpit unprepared, nor shall I use it as a platform to expound my personal views on society, politics, or matters unrelated to the gospel.
8. I shall not play favorites nor ally myself with factions within the church.
9. I shall give prompt aid to colleagues or members in times of distress or need
10. I shall consider seriously the counsel of colleagues.
11. I shall spurn to speak disparagingly of my predecessor.
12. I shall not encourage nor perform professional services in other congregations except upon invitation of the minister.
13. I shall be alert to the physical and/or spiritual needs of a retired pastor who may be a member of my church or who may live in the community.
Paul H. Olm, in an issue of The Christian Ministry, suggests that just as attorneys (and other professionals) have a clearly defined code of ethics that governs their responsibilities, so ministers of the gospel could profit from similar standards of professional conduct. Elder's Digest has taken the liberty to adapt and revise Mr. Olm's list of fifteen rules for the benefit of our readers.
