Reading: 7-4 A Chaplain Code of Ethics

Hi Everyone, the following is taken from a website maintained by Chaplain Fellowship Ministries. It is a reproduction of their webpage http://www.chaplain-ministries.com/ethics.html .  Here they present a concise delineation of a code of ethics which any chaplain needs to be aware of and which he/she will seek to put into practice in their ministry. Ponder what you think this would do to assist you in making a decision in a certain situation of which you are aware. A solid code of ethics will give you a sound place from which to make your decisions when under pressure. 

I hope you notice that this is the second time I have included the code of ethics as part of the course curriculum. The reason is that the concept of ethics is so removed from many of our public lives that there is not a commonly assumed code of ethics. If you are being interviewed for a position of any sort as a chaplain, the organization is going to want to know that you have thought about the ethics of what your behavior will be. So ponder these principles some more. How would you articulate them in your context? How do they give you some in sights into what the work of a chaplain might entail that you do well to have thought about ahead of time? Etc. Ponder!!- Bob Zomermaand

Chaplain Fellowship Member's Code of Ethics

Chaplain Fellowship Ministries holds all members accountable for their action - without accountability there is no credibility.

As members of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International we are committed to the Christian Ethics of cooperation and professional growth, equality, diversity, human justice and grace. We affirm and promote the value, dignity and worth of each person we encounter in the ministry. In following the model Jesus of Nazareth established for caring for people we covenant to:

Members are ordained and licensed chaplains and ministers called to serve as commissioned by the sacred Word of God. In Christian grace and duty they respond with love and compassion to people's needs in their whole existence. We embrace the understanding that human beings are created in the image of God with uniqueness and freedom to think, act and feel.

1. Members will not in any way misrepresent themselves as law enforcement officers, fire fighter, federal agents or any other government entity. We are chaplains!

2. Members understand the high value and dignity of the human being and actively attempt to avoid allowing their personal needs to exploit others. Members must always be aware of the power invested in them by their role and by the people seeking help.

3. Members recognize the sacredness of human relationships and do not engage in sexual intimacies with those coming to them for spiritual support. Chaplains do not engage in sexual harassment of any kind.

4. Members will actively attempt to understand and recognize the diverse cultural backgrounds of the people soliciting or receiving their pastoral care. Members serving as chaplains will not condone or engage in discrimination for any reason.

5. Members will provide pastoral care considering people's own spiritual resources to cope with physical, mental and spiritual challenges.

6. Members must make every effort to avoid accepting donations or gifts that would knowingly place a hardship on the donor or their family. Furthermore members will not accept donations or gifts that would place the donor's welfare, or their families welfare in jeopardy in any way.

7. Members will take an active roll in helping build Chaplain Fellowship Ministries by recruiting new members for membership thereby assuring the future advancement and stability of the ministry.

8. Members will not talk down to, degrade, belittle, or disrespect other members in any way for any reason including but not limited to the following: color, culture, disability, ethnic, gender, race, religion, education or marital status.

9. Members will keep their membership current and in good standing at all times. Members who let their membership expire for a period of 120 days must contact the home office for renewal requirements.

10. Members will renew their membership on or before their membership renewal date each year. Membership renewal dates will not be changed for any reason. In the event a member decides to renew at a later date their membership renew date will remain the same.

11. Members will not allow themselves to be involved in the following, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or intimidation towards other members due to actual or perceived color, culture, disability, ethnic, gender, race, religion, education or marital status or for any other reason.

12. Members will at all times be respectful to each other, the CFMI leadership and the office staff of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries.

Confidentiality and Pastoral Relationship

1. Members serving as chaplains will respect the right of all those that come to them requesting pastoral care. Members serving as chaplains have to control the amount of personal information they want to disclose. Chaplains will respect people's right to privacy and avoid unwarranted disclosures of confidential information. When appropriate Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Members serving as chaplains must inform those requesting their help of the difference between privileged information which may be confidential and threats which may have to be reported. Chaplains take the initiative to clarify their limits concerning privileged information.

2. Members providing pastoral care to minors or to individuals who cannot decide for themselves will get the consent from the parents or guardians by them signing a waiver.

3. Members will obtain permission from the people to whom they provide pastoral care before taking notes or electronically recording pastoral encounters.

4. Members are responsible for securing the safety and confidentiality of any pastoral encounters and records they create, maintain, transfer, or destroy whether the records are written, taped, computerized, or stored in any other medium.

Chaplain's Competence and Pastoral Relationship

1. Members embrace the need of maintaining high standards of clergy and professional competence in the ministry. Members shall actively strive to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

2. Members have a responsibility to read, understand, and follow the Standards and Code of Ethics of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc.

3. Members are committed to continue their pastoral and personal education to be better equipped to serve.

4. Members recognize their boundaries of competence referring to other professionals as they see necessary.

5. Members in teaching positions will use their pastoral skills and human awareness to uplift those under their educational care avoiding emotional, physical or spiritual harm at all cost.

Procedures for Processing Ethical Violations

Members shall embrace the principle that a ministry comes together not to destroy their members but to build and restore each other. Therefore, Chaplain Fellowship Ministries or it's Members will not engage in activities intended to harm anyone or pastoral care providers. Following the biblical counsel, Chaplain Fellowship Ministries will not entertain any accusation or complaints against our members or elders unless such complaint is brought by two or three reliable witnesses.” In the event of an unethical violation by any member or elder Chaplain Fellowship Ministries will follow the process of restoration and redemption recounted in the Holy Bible.

™Chaplain Fellowship Ministries is a nondenominational ministry of presence with chaplains, ministers, pastors, priests and bishops serving nationwide. All members are legally ordained as ministers and chaplains.(c) CFMI