sam_i_am (sam_i_am)
12-28-2004, 05:27 AM
PEOPLE & LIFESTYLE: Church Statesman Proposes 'Ethical Accountability'
A respected church statesman has issued a proposal to confront the growing crisis in ministerial ethics. Noting that credibility cannot exist without accountability, Jack Hayford has proposed the formation of an International Council for Ethical Accountability (ICEA).
"Favoritism, greed, shoddy morals and shady ethics have found a comfortable home in the church," the founding pastor of Church on the Way in Van Nuys, Calif., and chancellor of The King's College and Seminary wrote in the November/December issue of "Ministries Today" (MT) magazine, out now.
"The world may justify its own moral and ethical relativism in certain arenas of life, but it has every right to hold the church's feet to the fire concerning its belief that morals and ethics have absolutes to which the church must answer. In short, the world is saying, 'Practice what you preach.'"
Hayford noted that there has been "no standard policy guiding the body of Christ as it deals with its mavericks - the small but growing number of leaders who make their own rules and flaunt the ethical demands" of a disciple.
"I recognize that, by the very fact of my proposal, I become vulnerable to charges of Phariseeism," Hayford wrote. "But my history is generally known for an absence of moral posturing, and a track record of seeking to serve fallen leaders in ways of grace and discipline in hopes of recovering their marriages and/or ministries."
Most of the leaders interviewed by MT agreed with Hayford's proposal, saying it takes courage since such a stand is likely to arouse fierce opposition. Additionally, most said that Hayford should lead the organization.
"Knowing there's a group that can blow the whistle can keep you honest," said Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Mo. "The vast numbers who are trying to hide something will protest against a group like this because it signs a death sentence for their deception."
The man whose highly-publicized fall from grace served as a harbinger of today's ethical quagmire supports the ICEA concept. But after finding little grace when the Praise The Lord network collapsed, Jim Bakker wonders whether an accountability council would use love and humility to restore fallen leaders.
"I believe the only answer in an organization of this type is not more law," said Bakker, who recently returned to television in Branson, Mo.
If the church isn't careful, Bakker warned it will lapse back into judgment and condemnation. "I pleaded with those who came to me from the church world not to go to the courts or the press," he said. "What we need in the body of Christ is elders like the Scriptures talk about - like a 'supreme court' of the kingdom of God."
C. Peter Wagner, leader of the International Coalition of Apostles (ICA), echoed Bakker's sentiments.
"I have some concerns about the structure that Jack Hayford suggests, but I have no questions that we must deal with the issues," he explained. After reading Hayford's proposal, Wagner decided to hold a panel discussion about "practicing what you preach" at ICA's annual meeting this month.
from: http://www.tvbn.com/index.html?http://www.tvbn.com/Charisma/CharismaNewsUpdate20031202.html
A respected church statesman has issued a proposal to confront the growing crisis in ministerial ethics. Noting that credibility cannot exist without accountability, Jack Hayford has proposed the formation of an International Council for Ethical Accountability (ICEA).
"Favoritism, greed, shoddy morals and shady ethics have found a comfortable home in the church," the founding pastor of Church on the Way in Van Nuys, Calif., and chancellor of The King's College and Seminary wrote in the November/December issue of "Ministries Today" (MT) magazine, out now.
"The world may justify its own moral and ethical relativism in certain arenas of life, but it has every right to hold the church's feet to the fire concerning its belief that morals and ethics have absolutes to which the church must answer. In short, the world is saying, 'Practice what you preach.'"
Hayford noted that there has been "no standard policy guiding the body of Christ as it deals with its mavericks - the small but growing number of leaders who make their own rules and flaunt the ethical demands" of a disciple.
"I recognize that, by the very fact of my proposal, I become vulnerable to charges of Phariseeism," Hayford wrote. "But my history is generally known for an absence of moral posturing, and a track record of seeking to serve fallen leaders in ways of grace and discipline in hopes of recovering their marriages and/or ministries."
Most of the leaders interviewed by MT agreed with Hayford's proposal, saying it takes courage since such a stand is likely to arouse fierce opposition. Additionally, most said that Hayford should lead the organization.
"Knowing there's a group that can blow the whistle can keep you honest," said Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Mo. "The vast numbers who are trying to hide something will protest against a group like this because it signs a death sentence for their deception."
The man whose highly-publicized fall from grace served as a harbinger of today's ethical quagmire supports the ICEA concept. But after finding little grace when the Praise The Lord network collapsed, Jim Bakker wonders whether an accountability council would use love and humility to restore fallen leaders.
"I believe the only answer in an organization of this type is not more law," said Bakker, who recently returned to television in Branson, Mo.
If the church isn't careful, Bakker warned it will lapse back into judgment and condemnation. "I pleaded with those who came to me from the church world not to go to the courts or the press," he said. "What we need in the body of Christ is elders like the Scriptures talk about - like a 'supreme court' of the kingdom of God."
C. Peter Wagner, leader of the International Coalition of Apostles (ICA), echoed Bakker's sentiments.
"I have some concerns about the structure that Jack Hayford suggests, but I have no questions that we must deal with the issues," he explained. After reading Hayford's proposal, Wagner decided to hold a panel discussion about "practicing what you preach" at ICA's annual meeting this month.
from: http://www.tvbn.com/index.html?http://www.tvbn.com/Charisma/CharismaNewsUpdate20031202.html