Doing Right while Doing Good

Right and wrong conduct by Christian pastors has an enormous impact on churches and society. Ken Bickel and Kevin Vanderground say, “when ministry leaders grieviously fail, the ripple effects often extend well beyond what any one person can comprehend.”

Practical case studies are sprinkled throughout, providing conversation starters for church boards, groups of pastors, or individuals who care about integrity in the ministry. Useful to pastors and students alike, the guidelines proposed here will help application of scripture’s principles to practical dilemmas pastors face.

Writing from a context of information about legal trends and information, the authors here proposed a ministerial code of conduct that covers many situations never envisioned by those young in the ministry.

Ken Bickel is a former banker, pastor, and seminary professor. He served as a senior pastor for 11 years, then as a professor of pastoral studies and director of the doctor of ministry program at Grace Theological Seminary for 21 years. Now retired, he continues to teach online and doctoral courses on issues related to the local church.

Kevin Vanderground is an attorney practicing in northern Indiana. He is also an adjunct progressor at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. Prior to practicing law, Kevin taught Bible and Economics classes at First Baptist Christian School in Elyria, Ohio, and also worked for city government. He serves on a variety of leadership boards and currently serves as a deacon and directs his church’s Christian Education programs.