This just in from USA TODAY: “Americans’ View of Clergy Ethics Hit Three Decade Low”
"Trust me" he said.
Americans’ views of the “honesty and ethics” of clergy have hit a 32-year low, with just half rating their moral caliber as high or very high, according to Gallup’s annual Honesty and Ethics Ratings of Professions survey.
The reason for the decline from 56% last year to 50% in 2009 is “unclear,” according to a Gallup news release, which also noted that “now the clergy’s ratings are below where they were earlier this decade” at the height of the Catholic Church’s clergy abuse scandal. Read the whole article here.
Well, how should I, a member of the Clergy, take this news?
On one hand, “Oooh that hurts.” But then on the other hand, “Who let the dogs out?” Perception becomes reality. If someone perceives something to be “true” even if it isn’t completely true, it still is true from their point of view.
As one speaking from the inside I can attest to the scruples or lack thereof of some members of the cloth. But generalizations tend to lump all of us underneath a cloth that is hiding something. Hiding things such as drug/alcohol abuse, pornographic addiction, sexual and financial misconduct and hiding from terrorists who dress in the role as deacons or elders.
Thank God I don’t wear a collar. The abuse of priests has gotten the bulk of the bad press and deservedly so. But us Protestant pastors have our bad apples too. Unfortunately, I followed one such man into my present situation. But that period has been healed over and we have moved on. But let me be honest – the first few years here were “hell” for me as a pastor.
There is a real spiritual battle going on and many are wounded, and some leaders have fallen. It can be a good thing when a “rookie pastor” realizes within five years after seminary that “the church thing” was not what he or she expected. So they, being disillusioned, drop out.
It is too easy to sluff off this report of what people think of Clergy by saying, “Hey – we’re just human and make bad decisions.” The dirty linen hanging on the line for all to see is not easily cleaned, pressed and put on for the pulpit. So what has kept me from torpedoing my ministry? Four things:
- A good wife and a solid marriage.
- Always meeting for prayer and support with other clergy.
- A good sense of humor and lightheartedness.
- Physical Exercise!
So, the next time I’m with you and we meet one of your friends and you say, “This is Rev. Dr. Pedersen” you may find their demeanor and the atmosphere in the room to change – especially if they believe the USA TODAY article. So start out by introducing me like this: “I’d like you to meet Steve, a man with many good stories…”
