Louisiana

Chaplains

CHAPLAIN FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES LOUISIANA

MEMBERS CODE OF ETHICS!

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

† Chaplains are ministers called to serve God's people 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.

† Chaplains are aware of their own belief system, core of values, cultural background, attitudes, and behaviors and how these apply in a diverse society and with the help of God avoid imposing on those who come for pastoral care.

† Chaplains understand the high value and dignity of the human being and actively attempt to avoid allowing their personal needs to exploit others. They are aware of the power invested in them by their role and by the people seeking help.

† Chaplains 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.

† Chaplains will actively attempt to understand and recognize the diverse cultural backgrounds of the people soliciting or receiving their pastoral care. Chaplains will not condone or engage in discrimination based on age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, marital or sociological status or for any other reason.

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

2.) Confidentiality and Pastoral Relationship

Chaplains will respect the right of all those that come to them requesting pastoral care. 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 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.

† Chaplains 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.

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

† Chaplains 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.

3.) Chaplain's Competence and Pastoral Relationship

Chaplains embrace the need of maintaining high standards of pastoral and professional competence in the ministry. Chaplains actively strive to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

† Chaplains have a responsibility to read, understand, and follow the Standards and Code of Ethics of the Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Association.

† Chaplains are committed to continue their pastoral and personal formation to be better equipped to serve God's people.

† Chaplains recognize their boundaries of competence referring to other professionals as they see necessary.

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

4.) Procedures for Processing Ethical Violations.

CFML chaplains embrace the principle that a community comes together not to destroy their members but to build and restore each other. Therefore, Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Louisiana or it’s Chaplains will not engage in activities intended to harm pastoral care providers. Following the biblical counsel, Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Louisiana will not entertain any accusation or complaints against an elder (Chaplain) unless it is brought by two or three reliable witnesses.” In the event of an unethical violation Chaplain Fellowship Ministries will follow the process of restoration and redemption recounted in the Christian Bible.

"Be an example to the believers in the word, in conduct, in love,
in spirit, in faith, and in purity"
(1 Tim. 4:12)

Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Louisiana is an official Affiliate Subordinate ministry of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc., operating under the authority and supervision of the board of directors of CFMI. Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Louisiana is covered under Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International's 501 (c) 3 IRS Group Tax Exemption as a public Charity.