Do You Need
A Boundary Inventory
To Evaluate Church Ministry?

Could a boundary inventory to evaluate church ministry be one of the the most important ministry resources?

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If you consider the tens of millions of dollars paid out in catholic ministry in recent years... for violations of religion ethics...you would have to answer "Yes".

But 'boundaries' has become a buzzword in catholic ministry since 1996 with the publication of The Ministerial Counseling Role: Boundaries For Ethical Behavior...soon to be available on this site as a downloadable ebook.

The trouble with buzzwords is...everybody presumes that anyone else who uses the buzzword means the same thing by it. So we need to define it. But there are two things needed for any definition. You can go from this boundary inventory page to the defining words page to find them. I'll wait right here for you.

Behavior boundaries are created by definitions...just like they are for countries or the naves of churches. The purpose of a definition is to show how one thing differs from another.

You can't take a boundary inventory unless you define specific boundaries.

Boundaries...a/k/a behaviors...in church ministry are different from those we have with friends...or family.

Christian ministry needs more specialized interpersonal skills...because you are actually intervening in people's lives to make things different. For example...you can preach to your congregation...but you cannot preach to your adolescent family members. They're likely to respond by saying "Yeah...whatever."

To be effective with people...you have to speak to them according to who they are...children...adolescents...adults. And in a way that reflects your relationship to them. You don't tell your adolescent family member to "go in peace my son" when he is on his way to the mall. But you might have to be reassuring in that way with a penitent.

So what is specific about boundaries in church ministry that makes them different from boundaries in other contexts?

Well...ministry is a word that is already defined as...

So...a boundary inventory in ministry will have to reflect clearly...

• Religion ethics
• Moral Ethics
• Ministry Resources...such as adequate interpersonal skills
• Leadership ethics.
• Personal competency ethics

The Ten Commandments state religion ethics succinctly. They are a boundary inventory in themselves and help us evaluate our boundaries in our relationship to God...our family...and our neighbor.

Moral ethics are specific elaborations of the Ten Commandments that define boundaries in specific contexts. So a boundary inventory would have to include the contexts in which a minister functions.

Contracts...for example...have 'terms' which define the boundaries or limits of the agreement.

If you enter into a contract with another to defraud them by withholding necessary information (e.g., about the condition of a house you are selling to someone)...then you enrich yourself unjustly...a violation of the seventh Commandment.

Adult interpersonal skills the lack of these skills has led many...especially in catholic ministry...to behave immorally with youths.

So poor interpersonal skills can lead to boundary violations. Many of those who molested youths had interpersonal skills no higher than those they abused.

It is in youth ministry that so many highly publicized cases of boundary violations occur...to the detriment of the moral authority of the entire church.

Good leaders in ministry good church leaders never exploit the people to their own advantage...but use all ministry resources to lead themselves and the people closer to God.

Personal competency ethics means that you do not engage with people in situations and under circumstances for which you have no training. So a boundary inventory would include your areas of competency and expertise. Ministry resources cannot include skills you do not have.

Individual spiritual direction...marriage counseling...youth ministry are each different types of ministry that call for personal expertise.

Personal expertise is acquired skill...through study and structured experience. It doesn't grow out of mere inclincation to do something. Even if a minister feels 'called' (e.g., to youth ministry) training is a must. Singers who feel 'called' to stage careers...however talented they are...take lessons...and have voice coaches.

So...

Here's a model for taking a boundary inventory for your church ministry...

• Do I keep all of the Ten Commandments?
• Am I morally correct in all my ministry dealings with people and church property?
• Do I have mature interpersonal skills?
• Do I have a ministry vision and adequate interpersonal skills to lead others to it?
• Do I have appropriate training for my ministry activities?
Or am I intervening in people's lives with only with a good heart...but an unprepared brain?

• Touching other people.


• Self disclosure

Touching other people in ministry is a serious matter.

Violations of this boundary alone have cost the church tens of millions of dollars in malpractice settlements...and untold losses in moral authority.

The trouble with touching others is...neither you nor anyone else may think anything about a hug...a kiss...a caress at the time it happens. But...recent experience has shown that...

Most ministers in the catholic church were only recently accused of things they did decades ago.

There is an important axiom about touching other people that should guide all of your physical interactions in ministry.

With respect to touch...you should consult your boundary inventory everyday...to evaluate yourself on this important issue...and to supervise yourself if need be.

Self-disclosure is a technique safely used only by the most advanced therapists to achieve a therapeutic goal (e.g., bringing the transference to a close in order to end the therapy).

Most self-disclosures by those in the helping professions are outside the boundaries of any therapeutic or ministerial goal. This is a particular problem with Americans...who are prone to give and seek personal information...even with strangers in casual situations.

But there is significant evidence that self-disclosure in a helping relationship can easily lead to sexual involvement...because it enhances the transference.

How does it do that?

The transference becomes reinforced when the person receiving the minister's self disclosure...believes he or she is far more special to the minister than is actually the case.

You do not need to know your doctor's medical history or hobbies or favorite foods to receive expert medical care...do you?

As you think about these issues you may have questions.

If you do...use the form below. You'll get a speedy reply.