The Ethics of the Ministry

IT might be possible to make a brief JL article on this subject by saying that the ministry as a body has no code of professional ethics. This statement would be true enough if by a professional code we mean one that is formally accepted by all who are called ministers. There is for the ministry no formulated code defining conditions of membership and giving formal standards concerning professional conduct. Yet this statement, while true in form, would be far from the truth and would convey a wholly wrong impression. For the ministry as a body of men dedicated to a certain life and service, has very rigid standards by which men are pledged and their conduct is tested. The various professions have their codes and standards. Why is it that the ministry, which is supposed to represent the highest ideals, has no such formulated and recognized code? The answer to this question will carry us a part of the way toward the answer to