Preacher Behave: Handbook of Ministerial Ethics, 6th ed. Revised

Book Review by Jack Glaze, ret.
Missionary and Professor in Argentina, Mississippi College, NOBTS

Preacher Behave: Handbook of Ministerial Ethics J. Clark Hensley, 6^th ed. Revised
J. Clark Hensley, P.O. Box 1135, Clinton, MS 39060, $12

Since 1978 over 30,000 copies of Hensley’s insightful book on Ministerial Ethics, manners and methods have been printed. The revised sixth edition is more generic in approach and serves as an effective handbook for ministers in general, not just preachers. The well organized book is practical, informative and easy to read, it contains biblical admonitions and beneficial suggestions for both ministerial staff and congregations.

Hensley is well prepared for the task undertaken: he has a ThD from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, has served twenty eight years as a pastor, and forty years in denominational leadership positions including Metro Mission, Executive Director Christian Action Commission, and Family Ministry Program Consultant, Mississippi Baptist Convention. Although retired, he remains a minister’s pastor. Wisdom gleaned through years of personal Christian growth, academia, ecclesiastical experience, and counseling has honed his ethical concerns for responsible action on the part of a Christian minister in his family, church, and community setting.

Ministerial ethics relates to the total person in all of life’s circumstances, consequently, the book is organized as follows; a beginning Preface and Rationale, the Minister’s Family, Health and Integrity; the Minister’s relationship with Church Members, the minister’s responsibility in Worship and Fellowship and in Care-giving, with other Staff Members, and with a broader Community of Faith; additionally, ministerial ethics and practices are discussed in relationship to the Wedding, the Funeral, and What’s in a Name?; a concluding Epilogue (How Church Members Should Behave to be the Minister’s Friend) summarizes and illustrates previously discussed principles. Basically, the new additions are found in the Rational and Epilogue.

Dr. W.W. Walley, M.D., a dedicated Christian, with more than fifty years of private medical practice wrote: “I believe that a man who is truly God-called for a specific task is virtually indestructible until the task is completed or the person strays from his calling. This, however, does not preclude sickness or suffering which comes from abusing our bodies.” Subsequently, Dr. Walley addresses the topics of Foodaholics, Workaholics, Worry, Fasting, Relax, and Exercise, to which an addendum is added, The Minister and Vacations.

The book is replete with sound counsel: “Confidential is confidential. Counseling secrets are kept just that. . . . What about the ethics of questioning the integrity of some other minister or other church member? . . . It is very unfortunate that preachers haave a bad reputation about paying their debts. . . . Covetousness may be the preacher’s most besetting sin. . . some may covet other ministers’ churches, . . . buildings. . . staff. Only a few covet other men’s money, but they may covet other churches’ members. . . . How one relates ethically to his church family as to time may govern competency in the task.” In the Epilogue Hensley deals with both congregational and personal ethics relating to pastoral health and ministry.

Christian conversion results in a cultural change. Consequently, eternal biblical principles should precede and govern social practice in evangelism, missions and ethics. When commonly accepted practices are canonized as principles, contemporary culture has triumphed over Christ. For example, the Christian gospel proclaimed requires a personal experience with Christ, a principle; however, error has crept in when an individual personal experience, a practice, is proclaimed as the Gospel. Hensley’s handbook supplements biblically based ethical principles with helpful and frequently enumerated procedures. For him, a Christian ethicist, biblical principles precede cultural practice.

Preacher Behave-Revised is recommended as a valuable introduction for ministerial students; additionally, all ministers will find it helpful. In a day when ministerial ethical standards are frequently questioned by a secular society, the book could be used wisely as a basis for dialogue at Christian fellowships and retreats. An emphasis on ministerial ethics, manners, and methods could help renew a sense of mutual responsibility among ministers and congregations for attitudes and actions that are consistent with the teachings of Christ.

Updated Sunday, February 06, 2005