A Code of Ethics?

Sharonne

Price

• Living by an ethic is like being on a never –ending pilgrimage from grand hope to a real challenge, and then journeying all the way back again into idealism so that we can tackle the next crunch of real life choices.

The Exodus – 1200 BC?

The ten commandments

Hippocratic Oath (excerpts) c. 460 – c. 370 BC

• I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.

• In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or men, be they free or slaves.

• All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

• If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practise my art, respected by all humanity and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my life.

The Benedictine

Rule (about 500

AD)

Values with a Capital V• An affirmation of life• Importance of community• Equality• Imperative to love• Justice• Autonomy• Piety• Responsibility• Vocation• Love is the will to extend oneself or give oneself

up for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.

The ethic of love - loving God and neighbour

• We love because God first loved us – we can not help but love.

• Love is redemptive• Love is our calling• But……“Love is not simply giving; it is judicious giving and

judicious withholding as well…The word “judicious” means requiring judgement, and judgement requires more than instinct; it requires thoughtful and often painful decision-making.”

M Scott Peck – The Road Less Travelled”

Ethical Principles

• Autonomy (choice, responsibility, respecting individual rights)

• Beneficence (doing good)• Non-maleficence (not doing harm)• Justice (being fair)

Four Rules

• Veracity (telling the truth)• Fidelity (keeping promises)• Confidentiality (keeping secrets)• Privacy (maintaining dignity)

The Church Council Reg 3.1.2

• building up the Congregation in faith and love

• sustaining members in hope

• leading the Congregation to a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world

The ethics of covenant

“Sharing with the minister(s) in mission and in the pastoral care and spiritual oversight of the congregation.”

• Elected – by choice rather than by necessity• Relational - often use family type words and

expectations• Relationship of mutuality and some obligation• Solemnified in some way

The ethic of nurture• Nurturing the members and adherents in their

growth in grace

Doing things like…MentoringListeningDisciplingStudying

EncouragingTeaching

Counselling

•No harm•Doing good•Giving people

space and choice•Being fair

•The ethic of love

The ethic of leadership

Doing things like…deciding,

managing, determining,

arranging, disciplining

•No harm•Doing good•Giving people

space and choice•Being fair

•The ethic of love

The ethic of dealing with our own stuff

Doing things like…Coping with my

own history;Acknowledging my own weaknesses;

Sensitivity to betrayal, being put

down;My own human

needs;My own interest in

this

•No harm•Doing good•Giving people

space and choice•Being fair

•The ethic of love

The ethic of communication

Doing things like…

speak

disagreediscern

use authoritydeal with our anger,

disappointment, frustration

anxiety

•No harm•Doing good

•Giving people space and choice•Being fair

•The ethic of love

A code of conduct is a short-cut!

• Why bother?• Isn’t it obvious?

Ethics for the Pastoral Carer

Everyone became alarmed when they saw Mulla Nasruddin, mounted on his ass, charging through the streets of the village.“Where are you off to, Mulla? they asked.“I’m searching for my ass!” said the Mulla as he whizzed by.

Human Systems / Organisms

Human Systems / Organisms

Roles

Human Systems / Organisms

Roles Rules

Human Systems / Organisms

Norms

Roles Rules

Human Systems / Organism

Norms

Roles Rules

Communication Patterns

Family system adaptability

Rigid

Balanced

Chaotic

Family cohesion

Enmeshed

Balanced

Disengaged

The family system

• Roles

• Rules

• Norms

• Communication Patterns

It is the absurdity of family life, (and church life)* the raggedness of it, that is at once its redemption and its true nobility.

James McBride*Sharonne’s addition!

How then shall we live?

The Riverview UCA Covenant

The Riverview UCA Community

Commits to Grounding its life in Jesus ChristEnsuring that Riverview UCA is a safe place for all

peopleValuing every person and being concerned for every

person’s well-being – in body, mind and spiritBeing a community of nurture where needs are met

and growth and maturity are fostered with loveParticipating in God’s mission in our community

And so, we willTreat each other with respect honesty and

opennessExercise generosity and hospitalityTolerate and also enjoy our differencesWork at those things that we find difficultListen to each other with care, checking out that

we have heard each other accuratelyRemember to laugh often

• Pray diligently and seek the leading of God’s spirit

• Hold our grievances loosely but seek resolution of conflict promptly and face to face

The Riverview UCA Church Council commits itself to:

• Seeking the guidance of God in all that it does.• Supporting the covenant of the Riverview UCA

community by its decision-making processes and behaviour.

• Holding to the principles of courtesy; good communication; and striving to understand will be core to the work of the Council.

• Exercising a gentle oversight for the whole community of Riverview UCA

• Dealing with conflict promptly and openly• Modelling good conflict resolution strategies• Dealing with its business in a timely, fair and

just manner