November 10, 1999
Ministers asked to sign
covenant of sexual ethics
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission will ask ministers attending the Baptist General Convention of Texas in El Paso this week to sign a covenant of sexual ethics.
___The covenant calls on Baptist ministers "to commit to God and the congregations they serve to be faithful to the biblical sexual ethic of fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness."
___The covenant was produced by a BGCT task force on clergy sexual abuse, according to Phil Strickland, Texas CLC director. Its three-fold purpose is to:
___Provide a framework for upholding sexual integrity among ministers.
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___The commission suggests ministers keep the signed covenants, with copies given to church officers as an expression of mutual accountability, Strickland said.
___The covenant describes human sexuality as "a good gift of God," but it emphasizes that misuse of that gift leads to destructive consequences.
___"The relationship between ministers and congregants is based upon trust. In difficult times, church members turn to ministers for comfort, support, guidance and assurance, expecting the minister to act as a pastor, shepherd, counselor and friend," the convenant states. "Church members trust ministers never to take advantage of them or to manipulate them, especially when they are most vulnerable."
___The document defines sexual misconduct by ministers as including sexual relations outside of marriage, unwanted or inappropriate physical contact, sexually oriented or suggestive behavior such as seductive speech and gestures, and the use of pornography.
___A minister who signs the covenant commits to understanding, respecting and observing those boundaries of sexual misconduct. The covenant places the responsibility for maintaining proper boundaries upon the minister and acknowledges "that the congregant is always in a vulnerable position."
___By signing the covenant, the minister pledges to nurture relationships that "encourage accountability and protect against temptation." He or she also promises to avoid all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual harassment, to neither seek nor accept sexual favors and to exercise good judgment by avoiding situations that create the appearance of sexual misconduct.
___Anyone signing the covenant acknowledges recognition of "the special power afforded ... the pastoral office" and commits to "never abusing that power in ways that violate the personhood of another human being."
___Signers also agree to "submit to the policies and procedures of the church when an allegation of sexual misconduct has been made, recognizing the importance of justice and due-process procedures."
___In addition to practicing personal integrity, signers of the covenant are called upon to "assume responsibility to report any reliable evidence of sexual misconduct by another minister to the appropriate person or committee."
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