Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Manifesto

While at the Billy Graham Training Center last week,all around me I saw the evidence of a life well-lived. Billy is in his 90's. Shea and Barrows, his ministry partners, are still around and the thing they share in common is life with character intact--as far as I can see. How?

One of the things they did in the early years that proved to be key to ministry integrity was the so-called "Modesto Manifesto." It was while in Modesto that they pledged to each other these four commitments. They had observed the bankrupt character of some other ministries and wanted to protect the same thing from happening to them.

Here's an abbreviation of the Manifesto:

1) We will never criticize, condemn or speak negatively about others.
2) We will be accountable, especially in finances, with integrity according to the highest standards.
3) We will tell the truth, be totally honest, especially in reporting statistics.
4) We will be exemplary in morals__careful to avoid the very appearance of any impropriety.

By the grace of God, they attempted to live by these and as a result they are leaving a legacy of strong character.

What is your Manifesto?

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