For the past forty years, the Gallup Organization has asked Americans to rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in various professions. Its most recent poll from December 2014 found nurses at the top of the list. Eighty percent of people rated nurses' standards either "high" or "very high. Members of Congress ranked last; only 7 percent of people rated their standards "high" or "very high."

And clergy? Americans put them in the middle of the pack. Forty-six percent rated their honesty and ethics "high" or "very high" - below medical doctors, pharmacists and police officers but above bankers, lawyers and business executives. Unfortunately, the American people's favorable rating of clergy has fallen by nearly a quarter over time. In 1977, 61 percent of respondents rated clergy standards "high" or "very high," compared to 46 percent in 2014. The "very high" ranking fell 50 percent, from 21 percent of respondents in 1977 to 11 percent in 2014.

Obviously, the fact that Americans do not rank clergy standards as highly as they used to does not mean that clergy themselves have become less honest or ethical. Perception is not reality, after all. On the other hand, perception is reality for the person doing the perceiving. If Mr. and Mrs. Smith think Rev. Johnson is crooked, they will form a negative opinion of him (or her) regardless of whether Rev. Johnson has unimpeachable morals. 

In other words, clergy must not only do good, they must be seen to be doing good in order for their fellow Americans to form a good opinion of them. Didn't Jesus himself say, "let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, emphasis added).

Jesus directed His remarks to the Church, not just to clergy, of course. All Christians - clergy and laity, leaders and members - have a responsibility to act with high ethical standards. This responsibility assumes two things: (1) We know what the standards are, and (2) we act consistently with them.

To help pastors and churches, the National Association of Evangelicals has published Code of Ethics for Pastors and Code of Ethics for Congregations and Their Leadership Teams. These codes outline moral commitments that pastors, church leaders and congregational members should make to one another. For example, Code of Ethics for Pastors says: "All who are called by God to the ministry of the gospel solemnly commit to a life of joyful obedience and selfless service to glorify God and enrich his people. Therefore, a minister will":

• Pursue integrity
• Be trustworthy
• Seek purity
• Embrace accountability
• Facilitate fairness

Similarly, Code of Ethics for Congregations and Their Leaders says: "The Church of Jesus Christ is embodied in local congregations. Among the gifts Jesus provides the Church are pastors to teach congregations, lead them, and care for their spiritual well-being. In return, the lay leaders of our congregations are responsible to provide for the clergy and facilitate their work. They also have responsibilities to the congregation at large, to the family of churches to which they belong, and to the communities in which they live and worship. Therefore, responsible congregational leadership will":

• Honor and support the gifts Christ gives to the churches
• Promote the unity of Christ's body
• Practice accountability
• Practice good stewardship
• Practice hospitality
• Seek the welfare of the community where God has placed it

Both codes cite Bible verses for the bulleted points, giving each of them a biblical rationale.

The Assemblies of God has endorsed both codes for use in its congregations. "I am delighted to endorse and highly recommend the Code of Ethics for Congregations and Their Leadership Teams that has been developed by the National Association of Evangelicals," said Dr. George O Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. "Our communities will only be influenced toward Christ when they see healthy churches; and the code of ethics sets the standard for how a healthy church functions."

Because a morally healthy church is a spiritually influential one, I encourage pastors, church leaders and congregations to literally sign on the dotted line of the National Association of Evangelicals' Code of Ethics for Pastors and Code of Ethics for Congregations and Their Leadership Teams. We must do good for the sake of conscience, of course, but also for the sake of mission. Let us shine our light so that others see our good works and come to glorify our heavenly Father!