10 guardrails for leaders

Over the past 12 months I have been working  off and on what I am calling “10 guardrails for leaders”.  I have been thinking, reflecting and pondering these.    I have lived by these for years.  I am not a legalistic person.  But, when it comes to the opposite sex I think we have to be. I  have reflected, rewrote, deleted and added.  I have asked, “how do you create some healthy guidelines without being legalistic?”  “Is this the job of the lead pastor to provide these for the staff?”.  “How  far do you  go?”(I am considering implenting these guardrails for  all staff at New Life.)

 

 

A guardrail is a rail acting as a safety barrier at the side of a freeway, highway, road, or ship’s deck. 

 

 

In today’s world we need safety barriers.  In the day of text, facebook and emails…we need to be ok with creating some personal legalism.  Agree? Disagree?  Is this the job  of a lead pastor to provide guardrails like this?

 

 

Is  this to far?  Am  I missing something?  Are there ”rules” on this list that you think are not realistic?  If so, which  ones?  Do these guardrails stifle ministry or empower ministry? I would love to hear your observations

 

 

We have talked about this as a team.  We haven’t  100% adopted these guidelines.

 

Is this over reacting or providing great leadership?  Curious to hear your input.

1. Thou shalt never be alone with the opposite sex for any reason other than family members. (pick you up, drive you, eating at restaurant, etc)
2. Thou shalt only show affection to the opposite sex that is done with “absolute purity” 
   (1 Timothy 5: 1-2 “Appropriate hugging and touching”)
3. Thou shalt not access the internet without using “Covenant Eyes” or having someone in the room with you. (office, home, library, hotel, etc)
4. Thou shalt use Godly wisdom when communicating with the opposite sex on emails, text, facebook, MySpace, blog, twitter, instant messages, chat rooms or any other form of technology.
5. Thou shalt CC or BCC your spouse or assistant on emails to the opposite sex that  contains any  information that would be personal in nature (prayer requests, personal encouragement, etc)
6. Thou shalt not have the opposite sex in your office alone without the blinds opened and someone else in the office complex. 
7. Thou shalt not counsel or meet with the opposite sex more than once without that person’s spouse. Refer them.
8. Thou shalt avoid obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking. (Ephesians 5:4)
9. Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with the opposite sex.
10. Thou shalt not pray with the opposite sex alone.  Simply ask someone to join you in prayer.   

 

Obviously there are rare exception’s to these guardrails.  We have unmarried staff.  Guardrail one wouldn’t apply in this situation.  Although if they are dating we have another whole set of guardrails that is for another conversation. 

 

Love to hear your honest perspective on these…