Schedule 5 of the Ministry Tribunal Ordinance

A code of ethics

last updated 17 April 2002

Definitions

For the purposes of this Schedule 'Minister' means 'Clerk' which is defined in section 3 of the ordinance as:

• a person in holy orders,
• a person licensed by the Bishop or
• a person holding authority from the Bishop
• and shall include but not be limited to persons holding a license in accordance with the Clerical Licenses Ordinance,
• Lay Readers and Authorised Lay Ministers.

Introduction

Ministers (lay and ordained) exercise a special role within not only the Christian community, but society at large. They have a responsibility to individuals and society, the Bishop, the Church and their professional peers. Ethical direction is found within the Bible, although not explicitly with regard to all matters. This present code of ethics seeks to provide ethical direction in the context of a statement of Christian ethical principles for ministers within the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania.

Principles

The code provides basic guidance, although it cannot address every ethical question that will arise for those in ministry. The four basic principles to be applied are as follows:

• The Dignity of the Human Person
  Human beings are created in the image of God with a clear recognition in Scripture that each person is of unique value. Ministers have a particular responsibility to respect and enable all who are a part of the creation of God to fulfil their calling as children of God. Ministers are called to encourage, lead and guide those who seek their ministry, recognising the dignity of all made in the image of God.
• Justice and Integrity
  Those who minister in the name of Christ's love will act with respect, consideration and truthfulness towards all people. Ministers are called to seek justice where there is oppression, and truth where there is deceit.
• Service in Humility and Love
  Ministers are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to pattern their ministry on the example of Jesus Christ, which is a ministry of service carried out in humility and marked by deep spiritual love. The abuse of power and privilege has no place in the exercise of a Christ-like ministry. This means that ministers will be sensitive to their relationship with those with whom they come into contact. They must avoid causing harm and actively seek to do good.
• Shared Responsibility
  Bishops, priests, deacons, and lay people share in the ministry of Christ. Within this joint responsibility, some exercise particular responsibilities, as laid down in the Ordinal, licences and authorisations for which they are held responsible.

Our Commitment

Ministers and Those to Whom we Minister

Mindful of the above principles we commit ourselves to:

1. Exercise our licence to the best of our ability, and within the limits of our expertise.
2. Be diligent in prayer and in the study of the holy Scriptures.
3. Use continuing education to improve our professional standards of care.
4. Ensure that those who assist in the discharge of our ministry, and especially those acting under the terms of our licences, are properly qualified, competent and exercise due care and responsibility.
5. Strive to keep our public and private life above reproach.
6. Ensure that we do not exploit those in our care for any reason, eg. for sexual, emotional or financial purposes, or for undue gaining of power over another.
7. Refrain from sexual exploitation or sexual harassment. This involves recognising that those exercising ministry are in a position of power relative to those receiving ministry. This power means that sexual relations within any relationship involving the discharge of ministry even if appearing consensual can never be equal. Sexual harassment covers a wide range of unwelcome and unreciprocated behaviours, verbal and physical, and with psychological and spiritual dimensions. It ranges from such unwelcome actions as gestures or the display of offensive pictures through to explicit demands, suggestions of sexual activity, patting, pinching and rape.
8. Refrain from using emotional abuse.
9. Treat those to whom we minister, and all with whom we come into contact, with compassion and respect.
10. Respect the dignity of the human person, and in so doing we will be open to all regardless of race, religion, political beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or other extraneous factors.
11. Respect the right of all people to make their own informed decisions and choices in life.
12. Encourage those to whom we minister to move towards self-determination under God, recognising the responsibility for their own lives.
13. Respect the right of all to whom we minister to a relationship of mutual trust, privacy and confidentiality. Accordingly, information divulged by people will not be discussed with others unless consent is given, except in exceptional cases, usually involving a serious risk to life. This includes the passing on of information to those in a ministry team.
14. Ensure that where limits of confidentiality apply, we will seek to inform people of those limits, for example, where there is clear danger to the safety of a person. In such exceptional circumstances, we will seek to consult with those who have provided the information prior to breaking such confidentiality.
15. Recommend the seeking of additional opinions and services where the ministry required is not within our competence.
16. Refer people to another competent colleague where there is a conflict of interest whilst seeking to ensure there is continuity of care.
17. Ensure that where fees are charged for any service, those to whom we minister are aware of all fees beforehand, and are aware that pastoral needs take precedence over capacity to pay.

Ministers and the Church

Mindful of the above principles we commit ourselves to:

1. Recognise that our membership of the Body of Christ implies a partnership in ministry, and that we will follow the proper counsel of those to whom we are answerable.
2. Contribute our professional expertise and experience to the development of ministry, policy and practice within the Church.
3. Uphold professional standards of practice in ministry, and work to further them.
4. In acknowledgment of our responsibility to those who are vulnerable we will comply with the Diocesan Code of Practice related to the protection of children.
5. Actively share our professional knowledge, skills and experience with colleagues, particularly where the Bishop or circumstances have placed others developing their ministry skills in our charge.
6. Ensure that in pastoral situations in our charge which involve training, a commitment to the highest level of ministry, and recognition of a prima facie responsibility to those receiving that ministry, are maintained.
7. Where allegations of abuse by a colleague occur, ministers shall ensure the complainant is treated with respect, compassion and appropriate continuing care, including specialised support services. Reference is to be made to the related guidelines.
8. Work to prevent discrimination against those seeking access to ministry where this is based upon race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, disability, age, marital status, religious, political or other extraneous beliefs, upholding the principle of the dignity of the human person.
9. Ensure that in our ministry we prayerfully guard against over-commitment and avoidance of responsibility.

Ministers and Colleagues in Ministry

Mindful of the above principles we commit ourselves to:

1. Ensure that all colleagues in ministry, are treated with respect, consideration and fairness, and in good faith.
2. Recognise and respect the abilities, expertise, areas of responsibility, time commitments and views of our colleagues in ministry.
3. Be aware that our personal conduct affects our reputation and that of the Church.
4. Refrain from making comments which may needlessly damage the reputation of colleagues, cause anxiety to a person receiving ministry, or damage the wider profession and Church.
5. Seek mediation in the face of conflict with colleagues.
6. Accept responsibility for our own emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health, and recognise its effect upon our professional engagements and pastoral care.
7. Acknowledge our duty to care for our families and friends.
8. Avoid entering into contracts or situations with colleagues, individuals or organisations which may diminish our ability to maintain professional integrity and independence.

Ministers and Society

Mindful of the above principles we commit ourselves to:

1. Strive to improve the standard and quality of ministry within the Church and wider community.
2. Acknowledge that ministers have a role in society which carries respect and ensure that we act responsibly and with integrity, so as to maintain and enhance such a position of positive respect and trust.
3. Act within the laws of society, ensuring that at all times our position is not used for personal gain. In doing this, we recognise that others will look to us as examples.
4. Recognise the proper concern by the Church for all aspects of society, including political issues. In so doing, we will encourage debate which is respectful of persons, and care and pray for those in positions of political responsibility.
5. Work for justice in our society and encourage those with whom we exercise ministry to live their Christian principles in all aspects of their lives.