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The Canonical Order of Chaplains’
Code of Ethics
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| Preamble |
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The Canonical Order of Chaplains’ Code of Ethics is designed to edify the body of Christ. We pray it will be embraced by all members of The Canonical Order of Chaplains, hereafter referred to as, The Order, serving in any and all the Avenues of our ministry. The code is intended to be a living document that helps shape our character as we constantly seek to make it better reflect Christ’s will for us as ordained ministers in His Church.
Ethics provides a framework for how people make decisions and judgments and how we act on them. Decision making for the Christian is ethical when it is firmly grounded in the Word of God and led by the Holy Spirit, for it is only in these that we find a basis for understanding the will of God.
As Christians, we must submit ourselves to the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in the application of ethical principles of Scripture. Our Christian conduct must be based on the life and teachings of Jesus, the teachings of biblical writers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament calls for the highest standard of reputation, ethics and conduct for us as servants of God.
As members of The Order, we recognize that Jesus Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We ask him to change us so that the reality of his resurrected life is evident in our thoughts and actions. The ethical guidelines and principles in the King’s Code of Ethics are set forth to tie in the realities of our pastoral activities with this transcendent reality of our Christian lives.
Therefore, as ministers in the body of Christ, we must endeavour to conduct our lives according to the spirit of the ethical guidelines and principles set forth in the The Canonical Order of Chaplains’ Code of Ethics. |
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Responsibility to God
Knowing that Jesus Christ is the living Head of the Church, I will strive to conduct myself in a manner that brings glory to him. This means I will strive to:
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a. |
Be a responsible servant of God. |
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b. |
Exercise faithful stewardship in my devotional life through the use of spiritual disciplines, the gifts of the Spirit and acts of service. |
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Exercise faithful stewardship of financial, physical and intellectual resources. |
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Accept accountability for all my actions and avoid situations that could reflect negatively on the name of Jesus Christ. |
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e. |
Maintain sexual purity. |
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f. |
Exercise Christ’s servant-leadership. |
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Responsibility to family
I will place my family responsibilities at the highest level of my priorities, second only to my relationship to God. This means I will strive to:
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Spiritually, emotionally and physically support my family. |
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Be faithful to my spouse. |
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Be a responsible and dedicated parent to my children. |
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Responsibility to The Order.
As a member of The Order, I have a responsibility of loyalty to this community of servants and their apostolic leadership, the Abbots and Bishops. This means I will strive to:
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Patiently and prayerfully study all doctrinal materials presented by the The Canonical Order of Chaplains. |
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Support and carry out all decisions taking by the College of Abbots, the Abbot Generals Council and the Presiding Abbot General as well as the diocese and the bishop ordinary. If I cannot in good conscience do this, I will immediately notify my bishop. |
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Cooperate with, and seek assistance from, my bishop, my peers and members of my congregation(s) in the periodic review of my ministerial gifts and practices. |
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d. |
Respect The Order and be responsible and respectful in discussions about fellow leaders—past and present |
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e. |
Support and promote the worldwide mission of The Order. |
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Responsibility to The Full Chapter.
I will lead with justice and mercy, striving to express proper balance between strength and gentleness in all situations. This means I will strive to:
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Provide sound and clear pastoral, spiritual leadership. |
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Help members develop spiritual gifts and mentor spiritual leaders in the congregation. |
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Give sermons that are biblically based, in theological agreement with The Order and relevant to the life of the church. |
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Be committed to prompt reconciliation of interpersonal conflicts. I recognize that I must have personal courage, exercised with appropriate tact in facing opposition. I will encourage members of my Chapter to seek help from my peers and/or ecclesiastical supervisors if necessary. |
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Be trustworthy in all areas of confidentiality, except as I am legally bound to disclose. I will not betray the trust of a member by disclosing personal information about that person to others without that person’s knowledge and consent. |
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Be fair and consistent in my dealings with parishioners. |
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g. |
Honor and respect all cultures, genders and races |
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Responsibility to the greater body of Christ
As a member of The Order I have the responsibility to respect the greater Christian community and Body of Christ. This means I will strive to:
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Promote unity in the body. |
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b. |
Build bridges of communication and understanding with the greater Christian communities leadership. |
| Written by The Kings Family of Churches, Edited by Rev. Canon David Scott |
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