Faithfulness in Service

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October 2006

Faithfulness in Service

Cooking up a Code with Les Whittle

I would like to discuss a Code of Ethics that was adopted by Synod in May this year. The Code, entitled 'Faithfulness in Service', refers to personal behaviour as well as the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and church workers

I could describe the Code (sometimes known as FIS) as being a bit like a building code or a recipe for, say, a cake.

There are some people who follow recipes - religiously; while others use them as a launching pad for ideas. There was a time when my teacakes would come out of the oven tougher than rocks. I learnt it is OK to check back in the Margaret Fulton Cookbook and recognise the shortcomings of my kitchen practice. The photos in a recipe book give me mouth-watering ideas while the instructions tell me what steps to take to create a culinary delight. If I follow the recipe then my results are great; however, if I let my imagine go wild, I just might have a success, but most likely the result is a taste disaster, food is spoilt, too many dishes are dirtied and a lot of effort is wasted.

A few years ago, I did some work on my house; the project involved adding to the framework. The Building Code of Australia (AS 1684.9 -1999 Residential Timber Framed Construction) became my reference point. If I wanted to install a certain size window, the Code informed what size lintels, sill trimmers and studs would be required to ensure the walls would be safe.

Building codes and recipes help to identify good practices. This is similar for FIS. If food and buildings deserve careful attention, then our ministries require the same

FIS provides a frame of reference.

Don't let it sit on the shelf, but use it as reference point; participate in a discussion in your parish or organisation. If unsure, then remember it is OK to ask - and don't burn the cake!

Les Whittle is Director of Professional Standards, Diocese of Tasmania. Note that FIS appears here on the Tasmanian Diocesan web site.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				October 2006

		Faithfulness in Service Cooking up a Code with Les Whittle I would like to discuss a Code of Ethics that was adopted by Synod in May this year. The Code, entitled 'Faithfulness in Service', refers to personal behaviour as well as the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and church workers I could describe the Code (sometimes known as FIS) as being a bit like a building code or a recipe for, say, a cake. There are some people who follow recipes - religiously; while others use them as a launching pad for ideas. There was a time when my teacakes would come out of the oven tougher than rocks. I learnt it is OK to check back in the Margaret Fulton Cookbook and recognise the shortcomings of my kitchen practice. The photos in a recipe book give me mouth-watering ideas while the instructions tell me what steps to take to create a culinary delight. If I follow the recipe then my results are great; however, if I let my imagine go wild, I just might have a success, but most likely the result is a taste disaster, food is spoilt, too many dishes are dirtied and a lot of effort is wasted. A few years ago, I did some work on my house; the project involved adding to the framework. The Building Code of Australia (AS 1684.9 -1999 Residential Timber Framed Construction) became my reference point. If I wanted to install a certain size window, the Code informed what size lintels, sill trimmers and studs would be required to ensure the walls would be safe. Building codes and recipes help to identify good practices. This is similar for FIS. If food and buildings deserve careful attention, then our ministries require the same FIS provides a frame of reference. Don't let it sit on the shelf, but use it as reference point; participate in a discussion in your parish or organisation. If unsure, then remember it is OK to ask - and don't burn the cake! Les Whittle is Director of Professional Standards, Diocese of Tasmania. Note that FIS appears here on the Tasmanian Diocesan web site.