Sacred Ministries Ethics
The following is provided for your use and information. Each School of Sacred Ministries Class works together to develop a code of ethical standards. This effort is part of the process of preparing to be a minister.
The class of 2004 developed the following Code of Ethics:
The purpose of this code is to give interfaith ministers, both from this school and from similar schools, a set of guidelines to live by and as a guide in the ministry of service. It will also give some insight to those that may subscribe to our services what they can expect from us.
Mission Statement:
We vow to conduct ourselves with honesty, integrity and credibility in
accordance with standards that reflect the God of our understanding and
those we serve. We subscribe to and support equality regarding race, gender,
sexual orientation, and religious background.
We as interfaith ministers vow to uphold the following code of ethical
standards throughout the course of our ministry.
1. To be impartial and unbiased and to represent the whole community.
2. To respect the confidentiality and privacy of those we serve. We also
realize and accept that there are extreme circumstances that override
this rule. These extreme circumstances are: when someone is in immediate
threat or danger to the life and/or property of themselves or others as
determined according to our individual expertise.
3. To respect the integrity of community funds, collections, financial
matters, and the like.
4. To not counsel someone we are intimately involved with or become intimately
involved with. We also vow not to become intimately involved with someone
who is in crisis (spiritual crisis, monetary crisis, etc.).
5. To help our community develop guidelines to deal with difficult situations
and problems, to determine availability of services, and to develop a
ministerial support system.
6. To be connected with a network of counselors to advise ministers with
questions or difficulties regarding ethical issues in various situations.
7. To strive to be sensitive to the charitable needs of the communities
we serve to the best of our abilities.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him,
Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto
it.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.