Serving Jesus with Integrity: Ethics and Accountability in Mission

Living in Shalom as a Missionary

Serving Jesus with Integrity delves into the complex and often perplexing ethical issues that confront evangelical missionaries and mission agencies. While personal morality is certainly a concern, the scope of ethical engagement in evangelical mission extends far beyond the avoidance of compromising sexual situations and financial impropriety. The issues surrounding ethics in missionary work are often multifaceted, overlapping, and uncertain, and the book acknowledges the seductive attractions that accompany discussions about such issues.

The contributors raise thought-provoking questions about how to talk about others' beliefs and practices, how to represent oneself to others, the role of tolerance for ambiguity in mental preparation, how to structure accountability in intercultural partnerships, and how to foster organizational justice in mission institutions. The book also addresses the role of care for creation in mission, the importance of a code of ethics for missionary practice, and what integrity in short-term mission outreach looks like.

Drawing on Christian principles and the belief that all people are limited and fallible, this compendium provides guidance and admonition, along with deep reflection on the conduct of evangelical mission, so that missionaries can serve Jesus with true integrity. By grappling with these challenging ethical issues, Serving Jesus with Integrity is a valuable resource for those engaged in missionary work, and for anyone interested in exploring the complex interplay between ethics, faith, and cross-cultural engagement.

Dwight P. Baker served as associate editor of the International Bulletin of Missionary Research (2002-15). Prior to retirement he also served as program director and then associate director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut (2002-11). Previously he was director of the World Christian Foundations study program at the U.S. Center for World Mission, Pasadena, California (1994-2001).

Douglas Hayward (PhD) is Professor Emeritus of Intercultural Studies at Biola University. He was a missionary for twenty years among the highlands Dani people in Papua, Indonesia. His ministries include church planting, community development coordinator, leadership training and staff development, and supervision. He has written three books on the Dani people, plus numerous journal articles, encyclopedia entries, and chapters in books on missiological topics.