FRANKLIN, Tenn.—The present crisis in ministry ethics is a reflection of the times, according to Joe E. Trull and James E. Carter, whose new book, "Ministerial Ethics: Moral Formation for Church Leaders" (Baker Books), addresses the importance of ethical issues for pastors and church leaders. Preaching Now highlighted the recent release.

"Ethical failure in the pulpit affects the pew," Trull and Carter wrote. "At the same time, clergy morals seem to mirror the general decline in morality among the laity. Our day is fraught with political cover-ups, insider trading on the stock exchange, corporate scandals, and media manipulation. Numbed by it all, people are seldom shocked when they hear of an immoral minister."

The authors wrote that ministerial ethics can no longer be assumed, if ever they were. They reported that when a pastor in one of the fastest growing churches in the South was arrested for drug smuggling, he confessed to flying cocaine from Colombia. His church had led the state in the number of baptisms for several years. The pastor was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $10,000.

Another breach involved a Southwest minister whose sexual affairs were featured in a regional magazine. The article claimed that the charismatic leader was obsessed with wealth, power and status.

"The saddest chapter in these two tragic stories was the final one," the authors wrote. "Neither fallen minister seemed remorseful when exposed, nor did he appear repentant when sanctioned. After a brief absence, they both established new independent congregations in the same cities where they had previously pastored."

A study of the dismissals of Southern Baptist pastors by specialist Norris Smith revealed that "immorality" was the second leading cause. The survey defined "immorality" as "sexual misconduct, substantive lying, and the misuse or embezzlement of church funds."

Smith said a lack of accountability and guidelines led to ethical failure for pastors.

Smith's survey also revealed that the "lack or abuse of communication" is the No. 1 cause of dismissal.