BOOK CRITIQUE ON THE Perker I.

Maxey, (2017) A Guide to Ministerial Ethics and

Etiquette, WATS Publication Ipaja, Lagos, Nigeria

NAME:- Julius Ali

ASSIGNMENT:- You are to Critique 3 books as listed below. Submit a 2 page Summary. Due

Date: 11 August 23:59.

BOOK:- Perker I. Maxey, (2017) A Guide to Ministerial Ethics and Etiquette, WATS

Publication Ipaja, Lagos, Nigeria

AUTHOR:- Parker I. Maxey

NUMBER OF PAGES:- 387

Introduction:

Rev. I. Parker (1915-1998), has started his service to the Lord in the US and was able to serve in

5 different State in the US. He was also an administrator and a teacher of the Bible with 30 years

experience. Parker was able to travel around the world for evangelism and Pastors conferences.

He had 6 number of trips to Africa including 1 year experience in Nigeria.

The author opines that Ethics is the study of right or wrong. It is that part of philosophy

dealing with moral conduct, duty and judgment. The book deals with guidelines and standards

that pertain to the life of a minister of the gospel. In a sense it is a formulation of professional

rules of right and wrong, a system of conduct of behavior for preachers of the gospel. One of the

most striking features of modern society is the rapidly changing concept of the minister.

In this material the researcher confined with the submission of Elton True blood notes, which

says “that there is no escape from the conclusion that the professional ministry is not as attractive

as it once was and that it is difficult to attract a blest men.” Meaning, there is no real chance of

church renewal unless this problem is solved. The recruitment of the strongest leaders is

absolutely necessary for the effectiveness of the church in the contemporary world.
My submission regarding this is that, have been so busy looking for the lust coin, and we don’t

have time to be out looking for the lost sheep. Maybe this is because many of the ministers have

a lack of profound understanding of their calling and the fuzziness of the image it reflects leaves

ministers groping for identity in a modern society.

The author in trying to perfect his views he cited the explanation of J. Arthur Springer which

states that Christian ethics consists of the study and practice of moral conduct, positively and

negatively, as set forth in the Bible and in nature and reason. Every Christians should be

partakers of the above assertion because that should be our status co for living a good Christian

life. He added that the act of an individual is the outward expression of an internal character that

prompts and directs it. Conduct and character are two inseparable aspects of our lives. To put it

in another way, conduct is on the one hand the expression of one’s character. And on the other

hand, it is that which forms character. Though it is customary to define ethics in terms of

conduct, it must be kept in mind that character cannot be excluded.

To talk about the strength of the book, the author’s assertion that the scope of ethics

extends beyond the range of conduct, which includes all acts for which a man can be held

responsible even when these are not of themselves purposive acts. That is to say that all acts of

existence and continuance of which a man can be held responsible for, because of his capacity

and disposition to change them or not to change them by purposive action, fall within the scope

of ethics. Also,

My insight on this material is that a proper ethical living can if merge the bible and living

a spiritual life can shape an individual for ministerial counseling and pastoral duties.

I recommend this material for Pastors, counselors, seminarians, and church leaders for

use.