HOT Topic Summer Reading

For those thinking about reading this "erotic" novel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey , consider reading these first... http://www.jennyraearmstrong.com/2012/06/18/50-shades-of-broken-why-do-women-fantasize-about-abuse/  and  http://goodwomenproject.com/marriage/sex-hunger-50-shades-grey
Then read this http://www.nae.net/images/content/Code_of_Ethics_for_Pastors.pdf  .

I "just happen" to listen to a group of ministers conference about a "Code of Ethics for Pastors" this week.   Here is my email I sent to the National Association of Evangelicals -

Hello and thank you for the invite to listen in on the teleconference. It was very encouraging. I am not an ordained minister. I am only what God has called me to be and as such I have two comments about the “Code of Ethics for Pastors,” which I believe should be called a Code of Ethics for all Christians instead. I have been called to do all I can against “Human Trafficking,” and as such my concerns lie within the heading “Seek Purity.”

1. "In maintaining sexual purity,” I believe “sinful sexual behavior and inappropriate involvement” needs to be defined or else restated as any sexual behavior or involvement outside of the union God has joined together should be avoided. Inappropriateness should be defined within the relationship between God, man, and wife.
2. "In professional practice – Avoid taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of others through exploitation or manipulation”, I find this statement highly offensive as human trafficking is all about people taking advantage of the vulnerable through exploitation and/or manipulation. “Avoid” is simply too passive a word for this criminal activity.

Thank you for taking the time to read the opinions of this congregant.
Terri

Here is their response -
Subject: RE: NAE Code of Ethics for Pastors

Thank you for listening in on our Code of Ethics teleconference. I’m glad to hear that you were encouraged!
We are grateful for your commitment to fight Human Trafficking and for your thoughtful suggestions for the Code of Ethics.
The practical reality is that we traveled through 18 months of wording from ethicists, pastors and denominational leaders plus a couple of NAE board meetings to get the current version inked. So, we can't add or subtract without another extended process, but we will keep your comments in mind should revisions be made to the document.

National Association of Evangelicals
Washington, DC
202-789-1011
www.nae.net


Now, choose whether you really want to read "Fifty Shades of Grey."  It is your choice, just like chooseing to eat something unhealthy, but the difference is no person should ever be treated as an object or possession. For those fighting the crime of human trafficking, if you agree the statement included in Code of Ethics for Pastors, "In professional practice – Avoid taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of others through exploitation or manipulation”, is offensive to the issue, please email http://www.nae.net/contact-us .