In recent years there has been a great increase in the teaching of professional ethics for people working in the secular world. But very little attention has been given to ethical problems related to religious ministry. Thus, it is not restricted to clergy. But being 'professional,' in its classic sense, does not mean any of these things. The positive meaning of being professional connotes a specialized competence, a commitment to excellence, integrity, selfless dedication to serve the community, and to holding the public trust.
Character refers to motives, intentions, attitudes and dispositions.
The author presents a thoughtful account of the various dimensions of character, relating abstract moral rules to personal virtues to professional behavior. He emphasizes that much work is needed in this area. The author devotes an excellent chapter to the sources and use of power. He discusses with great insight the boundary issues of sexuality and confidentiality. The ten-page code of professional ministerial responsibility offered by the author at the end of the book expresses professional obligations in an organized series of concise statements.