We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy Christian Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
As members of the International Chaplains Association we are committed to the Christian Ethics of cooperation, professional growth, equality, diversity, human justice and grace.
I. Human Dignity
1.1 Christian 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. Christian Chaplains embrace the understanding that human beings are created in the image of God with uniqueness and freedom to think, act and feel.
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1.2 Christian 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 seek help.
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1.3 Christian 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.
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1.4 Christian Chaplains recognize the sacredness of human relationships and do not engage in sexual intimacies with those coming to them for spiritual support. Christian Chaplains do not engage in sexual harassment.
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1.5 Christian Chaplains will actively attempt to understand and recognize the diverse cultural backgrounds of the people soliciting or receiving their care. Christian Chaplains will not condone or engage in discrimination based on age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital or sociological status or for any other reason.
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1.6 Christian Chaplains will provide care considering people's own spiritual resources to cope with physical, mental, social, and spiritual challenges.
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II. Confidentiality
2.1Christian Chaplains will respect the right that seekers of care have to control the amount of personal information they want to disclose. They will respect people's right to privacy and avoid unwarranted disclosures of confidential information. When appropriate they inform seekers of the difference between privileged information that may be confidential and threats which may be reported. The Christian Chaplain takes the initiative to clarify her or his limits concerning privileged information.
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2.2. Christian Chaplains providing care to minors or to individuals who cannot decide by themselves will consult and seek consent from the parents or guardians.
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2.3 Christian Chaplains will obtain permission from the people to whom they provide care before taking notes or electronically recording encounters. Christian Chaplains are responsible for securing the safety and confidentiality of any encounter records they create, maintain, transfer, or destroy whether the records are written, taped, computerized, or stored in any other medium.
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III. Chaplain's Competence
3.1Christian chaplains embrace the need of maintaining high standards of professional competence in ministry. Christian Chaplains actively strive to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
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3.2 Christian Chaplains have a responsibility to read, understand, and follow the Code of Ethics of the International Chaplain's Association
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3.2 Christian Chaplains are committed to continue their and personal formation to be better equipped to serve God's people.
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3.3. Christian Chaplains recognize their boundaries of competence referring to others professionals as they see necessary.
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3.4 Christian chaplains in teaching positions will use their skills and human awareness to uplift those under their educational care avoiding emotional, physical, social and spiritual harm at all cost.
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IV. Procedures for Processing Ethical Violations.
4. Christian chaplains embrace the principle that a community comes together not to destroy their members but to build and restore each other. Therefore, Chaplains will not engage in activities intended to harm chaplains. Following the biblical counsel, the International Chaplain's Association will not entertain an accusation or complaints against a chaplain unless it is brought by two or three reliable witnesses. In the event of an unethical violation ICA will follow the process of restoration and redemption recounted in the Christian Bible.
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