Rick Warren’s 10 Commandments For Ministry Staff - Updated

Over 20 years ago I read Rick Warren’s 10 commandments for dealing with opposite sex for ministry staff. It has served me and others well over the years. 

I thought I would give it a shot at updating the in light of the changes in culture and technology that are facing ministers of all ages.

1. You will not go to lunch or meet for coffee alone with the opposite sex.*
2. You will not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you.* 
3. You will not kiss any attender of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned.* 
4. You will not visit the opposite sex alone at home.* 
5. You will not counsel or mentor the opposite sex alone at the office, and I will not counsel or mentor the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them. 
6. You will not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.
7. You will not discuss your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex. 
8. You will be careful in answering emails, instant messages, texts, facebook chats, online chat rooms, cards or letters from the opposite sex and you will notify your spouse and your supervisor if you receive anything of a questionable nature.
9. You will make your co-workers and team members a protective ally. 
10. You will pray for the integrity of other staff members and leaders in the church.    

                                                 [*The first four do not apply to unmarried staff.]  Source: Pastors.com

Sexual temptations are lurking around every corner in our lives today!  Resisting the temptation to gratify the flesh is a full-time job.

We need to learn how to rehearse the melody of the gospel in our lives like a classical musician rehearses a beautiful sonata.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  Titus 2:11-14

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