Position Paper

United Pentecostal Church International

Weldon Spring, Missouri, USA

www.upci.org

ETHICS (MINISTERIAL)

Adopted by the General Conference in 1964

My Code of Ethics

(Not laws to govern but principles to guide)

Striving to be a good minister of the Lord Jesus Christ,

• I will constantly prepare myself in body, mind, and
• I will safeguard the good name of the ministry; [I will] speak the truth in love, live honestly, and avoid embarrassing debts.
• I will hold as sacred all confidences shared with
• I will exercise the authority of a spiritual leader rather than that of a
• I will seek to minister rather than be ministered unto, placing service above salary and personal recognition, and the unity and welfare of the church above my own personal welfare.
• I will seek to lead my church to accept its full responsibility for community and world service.
• I will seek to build my church without discrediting other churches, soliciting members therefrom, or casting reflection on other ministers.
• I will not compete with another minister for a call to a pastorate in an unethical
• I will, with my resignation, sever my pastoral relations with any former parishioner and will not make pastoral contacts in the field of another pastor without his or her knowledge and
• I will not accept the pastorate of a United Pentecostal Church unless I am in accord with the Articles of Faith and Constitution of the general church body.
• Having accepted a pastorate, I will not use my influence to alienate the church or any portion thereof from the fellowship or support of the United Pentecostal Church International. If my convictions change, I will be honorable enough to withdraw.