Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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A Heart of Integrity

“What a wonderful word to all of us in the pastorate. What a great reminder there must be skill in dealing with situations for which there are no rules written. You must have the guidance of the Spirit of God to lead you and when you do it is with skillful hands that you guide people, but you shepherd them with a heart of integrity. That would include being verbally responsible. We tell the truth when we speak. That would include being financially accountable. We handle our money honestly and wisely. That would mean personally reliable. We give our word. People don’t have to check up to see if we will do it. We will do it. We keep our promises. That would mean privately pure. No secret world. No double life. Nothing hidden that will come out either from the record or from a computer after they lay us to rest.”

Examples of Integrity on Display

“Integrity works itself out in various ways. Ethical soundness. We don’t cut corners. Intellectual veracity. We do our homework. What we say the text says as best we can determine we speak that with accuracy and clarity. We don’t commit plagiarism. When we use someone else’s words, we quote the source. We do that verbally as well as in writing. It would include, of course, moral excellence. We don’t live in the fear of being found out.”

Daniel’s Integrity

“What they found in Daniel was integrity. There was a wholeness. It wasn’t a veneer of faithfulness; it was solid faithfulness. It wasn’t the appearance of honesty; it was thorough honesty. Or where he wasn’t able to perform, there was the admission that he couldn’t do it. Or if there was a failure, he acknowledged it. You see, get out of your mind that integrity means perfection. Integrity means authenticity, honesty to the core.”

People Trust You as a Minister

“We are respected for what we do. In most corners there are some that don’t but most still thankfully respect the one who stands at the pulpit or teaches at the lectern or represents in some way the work of God here or abroad. It’s a dangerous responsibility because people believe what we say. They take our counsel. They admire our advice. They believe, even when they can’t see us in private, that we are pretty much the same there as we are in front of them. When you step into the ministry, you step into a world of trust.”

Cultivate Exemplary Character

Through your life in ministry, you will sustain the cultivation of exemplary character. You will come to be known for your character. If you preach well, that’s over and above. But without character, your preaching will fall flat. When they know you have along with your skills as a preacher, a life of exemplary character, it will give significance to your voice.

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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