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# The Modesto Manifesto
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/201662the-modesto-manifesto/
- Published: 2016-06-02T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:24:50.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, Christian Living, pastoring, #DashHouseCom, #wp

![](https://www.dashhouse.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img20.jpg)

In 1948, 31-year-old Billy Graham met in a motel in Modesto, California. Graham was still a Youth for Christ evangelist, and was preparing to begin his ministry as an independent evangelist.

Graham’s team discussed the pitfalls faced by revivalists. They identified four issues: sex, money, exaggeration, and criticism.

They created the “Modesto Manifesto,” although no document exists:

- to maintain financial integrity by deemphasizing money, and conducting financial audits;
- to maintain sexual integrity by never traveling or dining alone with a woman outside their families;
- to guard against ego by relying on outside confirmation of attendance at their meetings;
- to guard against a critical spirit by refusing to publicly criticize local clergy.

This list is still good. It may be worth adapting it for ourselves and our times. Here are a few ideas.

- Financial — What steps can we put in place to guard against financial compromise, greed, and jealousy?
- Sexual — What are my greatest sexual temptations? Who knows about them?
- Ego — How can I avoid the temptations of pride and abuse of power in ministry?
- Criticism — How can I champion other gospel ministries, rather than criticize them?

We could all use our own version of the Modesto Manifesto.

![The Modesto Manifesto](https://www.dashhouse.com/content/images/v7/dashhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img20.jpg)