As we conclude our look at boundaries in ministry, I return to the driving illustration once more. In my teens, I often drove the stretch of Highway 377 between Leakey and Vanderpool. Lines and guardrails along this particular route are especially important, because crossing them can send you plunging to your death at the bottom of the canyon. There is a very good reason for those boundaries. Similarly, there are some good reasons for ministerial boundaries.
However, before we get into some of those reasons, we need to address the reality that some believe boundaries are unnecessary. They may believe we are to minister so sacrificially that any limit on our service, availability to people, etc. constitutes a denial of our responsibility. Others may believe the Lord will guard against trouble regardless of irresponsible actions or that everyone in church is good. Still others have an intrinsic propensity for risk. Finally, I think some feel having boundaries is an outdated way of doing things.
Now, let’s look at some reasons for boundaries. It seems there are four categories of reasons. One category encompasses legal and Biblical requirements on our church work and our lives as Christian ministers. Personal and procedural boundaries guard against violating the law concerning such issues as personnel, finances, and safety. Similarly, boundaries help us maintain obedience to biblical instructions in order to live and serve within God’s blessing and honor Him.
Boundaries are important because of the minister’s own tendencies, weaknesses, etc. – As ministers, we need boundaries because of our own tendencies, weaknesses, blind spots, etc. As I reflect on this truth, three Bible passages come to mind. Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Boundaries help guard us because the human heart and mind have an incredible propensity for self-deception and self-justification. Additionally, Proverbs 14:23 cautions, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Again, boundaries have this protective function. Finally, James 1:14 teaches, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” Boundaries help us avoid situations where un-Godly desire is kindled.
Boundaries are important because of the nature of other people and churches – The nature of people and organizations makes boundaries a necessary part of our lives as ministers. Some people are malicious, and others simply demand more than they ought. For example, some people need or want more ministerial attention than is healthy for you or the church or want that attention with no regard for the time of day or night when they seek your help. You have to set time and space limits. Some want a close relationship with the pastor or information from you in order to manipulate you, in order to gain power in the church, or in order to further their gossip. Some members of the opposite sex want an inappropriate relationship with you regardless of the purity of your ministerial motives. Additionally, churches seem not to realize the pastor has human limitations, non-work responsibilities, a family, and the need for rest and refreshing. There are more, but the point is you need boundaries because of the tendencies of people and churches that need to be held in check in some ways.
Boundaries are important because of the glory of God and the witness of the church – To the extent boundaries prevent transgressions and the false perception of transgression, they provide the following protections and more. They guard the church and its ministers from the charge of hypocrisy, since they help maintain integrity and credibility. They help the church and its ministers demonstrate alignment between teaching and action. They make the church a safer place for people to find God and explore spiritual issues. They help the church and its ministers not hurt and drive away their own people. As the world watches the church and its ministers, and as church members deal with the church and its ministers, boundaries guard God’s honor, and our witness.
The fact is, there are lines that should not be crossed, and there are areas of thinking and acting into which we should not venture. Boundaries help keep us from crossing those lines relative to the church and other people, keep others from crossing those lines relative to us, and help maintain our witness in the world. Whether protecting us and others from actual transgression of merely the perception or accusation of it, boundaries are important in the ministry.
Note: All Scripture citations are from the ESV.
Are there additional reasons or categories of reasons for boundaries in ministry that you would suggest?