Eighteen years ago, in 2002, well before he ran for Vice-President of the United States, then Congressman Mike Pence made an off-hand remark that it was his personal policy never to be in a room, elevator, automobile, or dine alone, with any woman but his wife. The media, of course, when he ran for V.P. in 2016 scorned and ridiculed that practice as totally outdated or even demeaning to women. That did not stop him from continuing it to this day.
Pence’s policy echoes the one practiced by the late evangelist Billy Graham and his team. It became known as the ”Billy Graham Rule.” It was actually based on a covenant Graham and his associates adopted back in 1948 called the “Modesto Manifesto.” Because, unfortunately, some evangelists were less than forthright in their personal morality, the Graham team felt it important to address the issue right up front. The Manifesto, however, went far beyond just the policy of being alone with women. It stated that as God’s servants they wanted to uphold high standards of integrity in all things in order to, as the Scripture says, “Abstain from even the very appearance of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22- my paraphrase).
So, early on, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association built into its corporate structure safeguards against financial misconduct or other accusations. Later, in the 1970s and 80s, several prominent radio and TV evangelists were charged with various financial and moral indiscretions. As a result, a number of evangelical ministries and educational institutions joined together to form the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). The ECFA makes regular independent audits of its member organizations. It grades its members on seven standards of responsible stewardship. They include:
Standard 1 – Doctrinal Issues
Every organization shall subscribe to a written statement of faith clearly affirming a commitment to the evangelical Christian faith or shall otherwise demonstrate such commitment, and shall operate in accordance with biblical truths and practices.
Standard 2 – Governance
Every organization shall be governed by a responsible board of not less than five individuals, a majority of whom shall be independent, who shall meet at least semiannually to establish policy and review its accomplishments.
Standard 3 – Financial Oversight
Every organization shall prepare complete and accurate financial statements. The board or a committee consisting of a majority of independent members shall approve the engagement of an independent certified public accountant, review the annual financial statements, and maintain appropriate communication with the independent certified public accountant. The board shall be apprised of any material weaknesses in internal control or other significant risks.
Standard 4 – Use of Resources and Compliance with Laws
Every organization shall exercise the appropriate management and controls necessary to provide reasonable assurance that all of the organization’s operations are carried out and resources are used in a responsible manner and in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, such conformity taking into account biblical mandates.
Standard 5 – Transparency
Every organization shall provide a copy of its current financial statements upon written request and shall provide other disclosures as the law may require. The financial statements required to comply with Standard 3 must be disclosed under this standard.
An organization must provide a report, upon written request, including financial information on any specific project for which it has sought or is seeking gifts.
Standard 6 – Compensation-Setting and Related-Party Transactions
Every organization shall set compensation of its top leader and address related-party transactions in a manner that demonstrates integrity and propriety in conformity with ECFA’s Policy for Excellence in Compensation-Setting and Related-Party Transactions.
Standard 7 – Stewardship of Charitable Gifts
7.1 Truthfulness in Communications
In securing charitable gifts, all representations of fact, descriptions of the financial condition of the organization, or narratives about events must be current, complete, and accurate. References to past activities or events must be appropriately dated. There must be no material omissions or exaggerations of fact, use of misleading photographs, or any other communication which would tend to create a false impression or misunderstanding.
7.2 Giver Expectations and Intent
Statements made about the use of gifts by an organization in its charitable gift appeals must be honored. A giver’s intent relates both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any instructions accompanying the gift, if accepted by the organization. Appeals for charitable gifts must not create unrealistic expectations of what a gift will actually accomplish.
7.3 Charitable Gift Communication
Every organization shall provide givers appropriate and timely gift acknowledgments.
7.4 Acting in the Best Interest of Givers
When dealing with persons regarding commitments on major gifts, an organization’s representatives must seek to guide and advise givers to adequately consider their broad interests.
An organization must make every effort to avoid knowingly accepting a gift from, or entering into a contract with, a giver that would place a hardship on the giver or place the giver’s future well-being in jeopardy.
7.5 Percentage Compensation for Securing Charitable Gifts
An organization may not base compensation of outside stewardship resource consultants or its own staff directly or indirectly on a percentage of charitable contributions raised. (For more about ECFA and a list of its member organizations go to www.ecfa.org )
Over the last few years, we have seen numerous new accounts of pastors, teachers, politicians, entertainers, business people, and, most recently, a Christian university president, becoming embroiled in what appear to be scandalous behaviors. These allegations included marital infidelity, financial irregularities, despotism, and other questionable ethical practices. The “Me Too” movement brought to light the sleazy side of life in Hollywood, which has actually been true since the early days of movies. So too, was the recent exposure and suicide of wealthy businessman Jeffrey Epstein. These sordid reports only magnify why something like the Modesto Manifesto is so important for Christian public figures, especially those in government service and ministry.
Most of those ethical problems, whether they were fully true or not, would never have even arisen if the persons involved had followed the simple principles kept by Pence, Graham, and other wise leaders. If they had purposed to steer clear of any compromising situations then they would never have been tempted to act badly, or even allowed rumors to be generated. We, as Christians in ministry, business, education, or whatever life service we choose, must remember that the world is not our friend. The enemies of the Gospel, and there are many of them, relish nothing more than seeing Christians fall to sin and shame. It only reinforces their distorted caricatures of our faith and gives them ammunition to attack our Lord. We commend Vice President Pence for his Christian convictions concerning his personal integrity and ethics.