Since 1992 I have required as a clergy member to attend a mandatory one-day training on “Ethics for Clergy”. Part of the emphasis on these training days is how not to ethics violations of a sexual nature. This means after the event I attend later this month I will have attended 7 of these sessions.

Each time I receive a notice to attend I wonder how much value I will derive from these trainings. Standards for ethical behavior have not changed that much in the time I have been clergy. I have a theory that practicing ethical behavior is a choice. I also believe that knowing what is ethical and doing what is ethical are 2 different things. I don’t think we should be lulled into a false sense of complacency that by simply teaching we can be sure that ethical behavior will always be practiced.