Integrity- A 21st Century Imperative

[bonnie]

Following excerpted from a talk presented this morning by Lyn Behrens, Ph.D. President of LLU. At the 58th Geneneral Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventist, which addresses many of the concerns that have been expressed recently. I trust it is within appropriate bounds. The entire article should be required reading for all SDA's

Integrity-A 21st Century Imperative

http://news.adventist.org/specials/2005/gcsession/2005-07-04/integrity-behrens.html

Beware of the "end justifying the means" trap.

It is not appropriate to engage in a cover-up even if it is ostensibly to protect the good name of the Church.

Transparency demands that financial difficulties be promptly disclosed to, and addressed by, the responsible governing bodies. Failure to fulfill regulatory requirements should be reported to the appropriate agency as soon as the failure is recognized .

It is not appropriate to hide confirmed sexual misconduct of a teacher with students, pastor with parishioners, or supervisors with subordinates. Sex offenders are required to register with law enforcement in the USA. It is never appropriate to agree to hold that information as secret while allowing offenders to participate with children in church activities.

The commitment to exhibit only "loving kindness" must never blunt honesty with others or lead to duplicity.

Colleagues and employees deserve authentic feedback in their evaluations. I, like all of us, thoroughly enjoy affirming colleagues and staff for appropriate performance.

However difficult and unpleasant it is to address under-perf ormance of our employees, it is still imperative that we communicate areas needing remediation. Eventually , unacceptable behavior will be addressed! Far better to lay out areas needing change and provide coaching about how to achieve a positive outcome while the situation is remediable than to delay until it is hopeless.

Failure to be forthright on a timely basis robs our colleagues and employees of growth opportunities.

It sets them up for major professional failure. Their God-given potential is thereby never maximized. If remediation is unsuccessful, individuals should not be moved from one place to another to avoid the crucial confrontation. This only damages the effectiveness of yet another work place, community or church. It always takes courage and it is the way of integrity to counsel about other career paths and then to facilitate their pursuit of these options.

It is never appropriate to hide confrontation of a negative outcome behind prayer. A senior pastor interviewed a couple for an open position on his team. The conversation was glowing about the match between their talents and the proposed tasks. A lengthy prayer concluded the meeting. The minister thanked God for a "perfect fit" and asked His blessing on their working together. Weeks elapsed and there was no call. Phone calls were not answered. Perplexed, the couple sought for answers. It was a bitter lesson. The senior pastor had himself informed the conference committee that he did not want to work with them. Little did he realize his duplicity would be discovered and the profound impact it would have on their journey of faith as Seventh-day Adventist Christians .

We are called to avoid less egregious, even socially acceptable, behavior that jeopardizes integrity.

Facts should not be manipulated or exaggerated. We are to avoid deceit "in word, thought, or action"}

Seven steps to safeguard personal and organizational integrity:

Always practice transparency: beware of believing that the end justifies the means.

Treat all employees fairly: create a nurturing work place that is free from discrimination and harassment. Avoid nepotism.

Be courageous : speak truthfully , listen carefully, ask tough questions, give forthright responses.

Establish and maintain appropriate boundaries .

Avoid all appearances of impropriety.

Declare conflicts of interest.

Acknowledge errors promptly. Implement corrective actions.

Investigate concerns fairly and impartially.

Appropriately disclose the results.

Ellen White reminds us that: "The power that is near to deliver from physical harm or distress is also near to save from the greater evil, making it possible for the servant of God to maintain his integrity under all circumstances, and to triumph