Code of Conduct Guide

Session 1: Introduction

“Ministry leaders” are all officebearers (ordained ministers, commissioned pastors, elders, and deacons), CRCNA staff members, and members of the Council of Delegates. Local church councils are also encouraged to regard all church staff (whether or not they are ordained) and volunteers who are providing leadership in the church as ministry leaders. Ministry leaders have been empowered by God and the church to serve the body of Christ for good. They are called to resist all temptations to abuse their power through the misuse of position, authority, or influence.

Abuse of power is often defined as misusing power to harm another person or using power and influence to take unjust advantage of another person. All abuse by ministry leaders within the church is also spiritual abuse and has spiritual impacts that often heighten the harm caused to individuals and to the family of God. For more on the use and misuse of power, see the “Addressing Abuse of Power Report” (Acts of Synod 2019, pp. 587-615).

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

For Discussion

  1. Power and influence are neither good nor bad but are a gift from God that can be used for the flourishing of others or to bring harm. Each position of ministry leadership comes with power and influence. When you think about those who serve in the role of a ministry leader, for instance, a pastor, an elder, a youth leader, or volunteer, in what ways do they have influence? Where have you, as a ministry leader, noticed that people look up to you and give you influence over them?
  2. People who participate in various ministries come with an assumption and posture of trust toward those who are ministry leaders. How can ministry leaders steward that trust in a Christlike way?
  3. What do you hear in Mark 10:35-45 that helps us understand how to steward our power and influence well?
  4. What are the spiritual practices that can help you be intentional about using your influence for the flourishing of others? How can you develop these spiritual muscles?

Prayer for Leaders

In these moments of silence, we think about the power God has entrusted us with. We open our hands.

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God, we feel both the weight and the gift of what you have placed in our hands. We feel the weight and the gift of the trust that others have placed in our hands.

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God, we pray that we will hold this power in ways that bring you glory and serve your people. May Christ be at work within us - transforming us, convicting us, and growing us - that all may flourish and God’s power may be known. We offer ourselves to you in humility and gratitude. Use us always and only for your glory. Amen.