Ministerial Integrity: Does It Wane or Glow with Time?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION …………………………………………………………………………3
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………………….4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………….5
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………...6
I. Rational/Need……………………………………………………………………..7 II. Objectives…………………………………………………………………………9 III. Methodology………………………………………………………………………9 IV. Literature Review………………………………………………………………..10 V. Definitions……………………………………………………………………….19 VI. Structure of Essay………………………………………………………………..31
CHAPTER ONE
Integrity Expected Of Ministers …….. ……………………………………………….32
1.1 The Church……………………………………………………………………...........32 a. The Constitution & Standing Orders Of The Methodist Church ……………......32 b. The Constitution & By-Laws of The Presbyterian Church……………………...34
1.2 The Outside Community……………………………………………………………..35 1.3 The Integrity of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ………………..………………...35
CHAPTER TWO
Ministerial Integrity
2.1 How to Acquire Integrity……………………………………………………………40
2.2 The Need to Keep Our Integrity…………………………………………………….44
2.3 Consequences of Our Lack of Integrity……………………………………………..47 a. Socially (Here and now)…………………………………………………………47 b. Against the Church of Christ ……………………………………………………49 c. Eternally………………………………………………………………………….49 d. Examples of True and Living Experiences………………………………………50
2.4 How Do We Develop Integrity in Our Own Lives......................................................51
2.5 How Do We Lose Our Integrity ……………………………………………………..53
CHAPTER THREE
Analysis of Interviews and Questionnaires and their Implications On The
3.1 Universal Church of Christ…………………………………………………………..62
3.2 Ministry/Ministers…………………………………………………………………...62
3.3 Nation………………………………………………………………………………..63
CHAPTER FOUR
Possible Solutions
4.1 Individually (Biblical & Others)……………………………………………………64
4.2 Church………………………………………………………………………………66
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………68
DECLARATION …………………………………………………………………………3
DEDICATION…………………………………………………………………………….4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………….5
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………...6
I. Rational/Need……………………………………………………………………..7 II. Objectives…………………………………………………………………………9 III. Methodology………………………………………………………………………9 IV. Literature Review………………………………………………………………..10 V. Definitions……………………………………………………………………….19 VI. Structure of Essay………………………………………………………………..31
CHAPTER ONE
Integrity Expected Of Ministers …….. ……………………………………………….32
1.1 The Church……………………………………………………………………...........32 a. The Constitution & Standing Orders Of The Methodist Church ……………......32 b. The Constitution & By-Laws of The Presbyterian Church……………………...34
1.2 The Outside Community……………………………………………………………..35 1.3 The Integrity of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ………………..………………...35
CHAPTER TWO
Ministerial Integrity
2.1 How to Acquire Integrity……………………………………………………………40
2.2 The Need to Keep Our Integrity…………………………………………………….44
2.3 Consequences of Our Lack of Integrity……………………………………………..47 a. Socially (Here and now)…………………………………………………………47 b. Against the Church of Christ ……………………………………………………49 c. Eternally………………………………………………………………………….49 d. Examples of True and Living Experiences………………………………………50
2.4 How Do We Develop Integrity in Our Own Lives......................................................51
2.5 How Do We Lose Our Integrity ……………………………………………………..53
CHAPTER THREE
Analysis of Interviews and Questionnaires and their Implications On The
3.1 Universal Church of Christ…………………………………………………………..62
3.2 Ministry/Ministers…………………………………………………………………...62
3.3 Nation………………………………………………………………………………..63
CHAPTER FOUR
Possible Solutions
4.1 Individually (Biblical & Others)……………………………………………………64
4.2 Church………………………………………………………………………………66
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………68
Bibliography: 1. Allen, Clifton J. Points for Emphasis: An International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1957) 2 3. Gingrich, F. Wilbur. The Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament (London: The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., 1965) 4 5. Koomson, John Arhin. Walking in Integrity and Uprightness (Accra: Advocate Publishing Ltd., 2006) 6 7. Murphy, Jim & Carolyn. An International Minister’s Manual (Malaysia: Hundredfold Press, 2000) 8 9. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 1994-2002. 10. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (Edinburgh-England: Pearson Education Ltd., 2001) 11 14. The Constitution and Standing Orders of the Methodist Church (2000) 15 [ 1 ]. Warren Wendell Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis: A blemished Church struggles with accountability, morality and lifestyles of its leaders and laity (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992) p.17-18 [ 2 ] [ 3 ]. John Arhin Koomson, Walking in Integrity and Uprightness (Accra: Advocate Publishing Ltd., 2006)1 [ 4 ] [ 5 ]. MacAdam, Intentional Integrity (1996)3 [ 6 ] [ 7 ]. Jim & Carolyn Murphy, An International Minister’s Manual (Malaysia: Hundredfold Press, 2000) 63 [ 8 ] [ 25 ]. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 1994-2002 [ 26 ] [ 27 ]. The Constitution and Standing Orders of the Methodist Church 2000Revised ed.(Accra: Wesley Printing Press, 2001) [ 28 ] [ 33 ]. Joel B. Green & Tremper Longman, The Everyday Study Bible-Thematic Article on Integrity (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1996) 469 [ 34 ]