Covenant of Personal & Professional Ethics

I understand that God has called me to a life of righteousness, godliness, and growth in Christ-like character. In order to be what He wants me to be I accept the responsibility of exercising the spiritual disciplines necessary for growth, yielding every area of my life to the control of the Holy Spirit. As I bring my mind under His control, I will choose to fill it only with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. I will deal with sin by honest confession to God and those who have been affected by it. Fellowship with others is essential to growth, so I will avail myself of opportunities to be encouraged, instructed, and built up by others in the things of the Lord. As a whole person, I will seek to keep physically, emotionally, and mentally fit and will refrain from the abuse of alcohol, drugs, or any other habit that would harm my ability to do all I do for the glory of God.

I understand that my first responsibility before God is to love and care for the family He has entrusted to my care. I will be faithful to my spouse, guarding our relationship, investing in it, and working humbly together to keep it healthy, growing, and honouring to the Lord. The responsibility to love my children practically and to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord is a great privilege and among my highest callings. As I plan and maintain my schedule, I will seek to keep my family as an important priority, and model for them by my attitudes, words, and actions, a healthy and positive view of the Church.

I believe that God is the provider and owner of all things and calls me to handle what He has put in my hands faithfully as a steward. As He provides, I will be content as I live within my means. Although unforeseen circumstances may arise, I understand that my goal must be to so order my affairs that others can rely on me to meet my financial obligations and demonstrate obedience to Biblical principles of Christian stewardship. I will demonstrate wisdom and discretion in handling financial matters with integrity and will avoid any financial or business arrangements that would deter me from being effective in fulfilling my calling to ministry.

God calls his people to live lives of sexual purity and commitment in which sexual intimacy is practiced only within the context of a marriage between a man and a woman. Out of respect for the obligation to live a life of sexual integrity as a model for my children, my spouse, and my church, I will refrain from any pre-marital and extra-marital relationships as well as homosexual activities. Recognizing the danger of impure thoughts, I will avoid any sexually-oriented, pornographic, or any other material that could tempt me to further sin. I choose to treat others with respect and will not be involved in sexual abuse, harassment, or assault of any kind, and accept my deep obligation to avoid acting in such a way that might tempt others to sexual sin.

I am called to be a servant of the Lord and His Church, and count this to be a great honour and profound expression of His grace. In reliance on His help, I pledge to uphold this trust and never bring shame to His Name. I will be diligent in my duties, remembering that I am a steward who will give account to my Master. I will be Biblical in my preaching, presenting faithfully the whole counsel of God, speaking the truth in forthrightness and with love. I am determined that I will never abuse my position for personal benefit or pleasure.

I will always seek to be known as one who promotes peace and unity in the Church and will resist any effort of activities to divide it. I will not knowingly build the ministry in which I am involved to the detriment of other ministries. I will avoid speaking disparagingly of others in ministry. I have a special obligation to exercise sensitivity and care in relation to those who precede or succeed me in ministry. I will exercise sensitivity when I may be present in a place I have left and where another is serving. It shall, in these situations, be my intention to strengthen the ministry of others and work for the well-being and unity of the church. Similarly, in pursuing a call to a new ministry or considering termination of a present ministry, I shall understand the need for wisdom, discretion, and honesty.

My calling obligates me to discretion and wisdom in relationships with others. I will avoid situations where being alone with a person of the opposite sex could in any way be misconstrued by anyone involved, directly or indirectly. If necessary, I shall willingly limit my freedom where its use could hinder the reputation of my ministry.

Knowing that my effectiveness in ministry will often hinge on whether others can trust me fully, I will always seek to maintain confidentiality, except where my silence might endanger others.

I will respect my relationship to the Evangelical Free Church of Canada and will seek to support it through prayer, participation, and promotion, always working in harmony with its doctrines, aims, and objectives.

It is my desire to live according to this Covenant of Personal and Professional Ethics, and I willingly and voluntarily agree that it shall be a condition of my credenaling with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada. I want those whom I serve in ministry to be aware of this Covenant. Because I am seeking with God’s help to live a life befitting a servant of Jesus Christ, I desire that the Ministerial Standing Committee, graciously encourage me by exhortation and, if necessary, loving discipline with a heart to restore.