In His Image: Women of Excellence Ministries, Inc.
Standard of Ethics and Integrity Code
I. Purpose
As leaders in the Kingdom of God, we who minister within this ministry must always seek to uphold Christian values and conduct. In addition to following the Gospel and its mandates, we will want to act properly at all times in the light of contemporary society and its needs.
This Standard of Ethics and Integrity Code does not presume to provide the answers to all the ethical questions facing ministry leaders. What it does establish is a set of general ethical standards for our lives and ministry. These standards will help to delineate boundaries by which ethical questions can be evaluated and it will demand accountability from ministry leaders who may fail to live within the ethical standards of the Code as mandated by Scripture.
This Code is an outline for Holy living according to scripture. Responsibility for adherence to this Standard of Ethics and Integrity Code rests with the ministry leaders themselves. It is anticipated; however, that disregard of this Code by ministry team members or any others in covenant with the ministry will be dealt with by the Board of Advisors. Remedial action may take various forms from counseling to removal from ministry; also as mandated by scripture.
The conduct of ministry leaders, both public and private, has the potential to inspire and motivate people, or scandalize and tear down their faith. We leaders must be aware of the responsibilities that accompany our work, and conduct ourselves accordingly at all times.
II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Five key principles underlie the ethical stance of the Code. The ethical ministry leader is one who embraces the principles of commitment, integrity, and respect for others, their well being and competence.
1. Commitment
Ministry leaders embrace the teaching of Jesus and work to promote the Gospel. We shall have an intimate knowledge of the scriptures and be able to relate them to day-to-day situations. We will be apt and able to teach sound biblical teachings.
2. Integrity
Ministry leaders are expected to be persons of integrity and must conduct themselves in an honest and open manner, free from deception or corruption. We shall handle the responsibilities of our office in a conscientious fashion. Leaders in a ministry that sets a high moral standard for its members have a responsibility to lead by example. We are to exercise responsible stewardship of all ministry resources. There is to be clear accounting of all ministry finances. We must insure that systems are in place to protect both the ministry and individual from financial mismanagement. Audits are to be conducted on regular basis.
3. Respect
Ministry leaders shall respect the rights, dignity and worth of each member of the Body of Christ. Ministry leaders will respect each individual as a creation of God without regard to their economic status, race, gender, or age. Ministry leaders are to maintain confidentiality and loyalty to one another and the ministry.
4. Well Being
A. Ministry leaders are expected to attend to their own human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral well-being.
B. Ministry leaders have a duty to be attuned to their physical, mental, and emotional health. They should be aware of warning signs in their behavior and moods that can indicate conditions that can be detrimental to their health. Use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or misuses of prescription drugs, or the viewing of sexually explicit, inappropriate or offensive material are examples and will not be tolerated among leaders. Ministry leaders should immediately seek help when we identify warning signs in our professional or personal lives. Any allegations of ethical or moral misconduct will be taken seriously and will be reported immediately to the Board of Advisors.
C. Ministry leaders should be supportive of one another, in terms of both affirmation and holding one another accountable for their physical and emotional, and spiritual well being. We must seek to empower others; supporting one another to live the lives to which God has called us.
D. Ministry leaders should determine healthy limits in their work environment and live within these limits as much as possible. We should make use of allotted time for vacation and days away from the work environment. It is also mandated that family must be considered paramount in importance.
E. Ministry leaders have a duty to stay attuned to their own spiritual health and must maintain and nurture an ongoing prayer life. Ministry leaders must be aware of their own spiritual needs in order to remain focused in the faith, of our Lord Jesus Christ.
F. Ministry leaders have a responsibility to attend to their ongoing intellectual development. We should participate annually in seminars and workshops in areas that are relevant to our current ministry. Ministry leaders should stay current through reading religious sources and should participate in a regular process of evaluation of their effectiveness in ministry. This will include a ministry assessment yearly.
5. Competence
Ministry leaders shall maintain high levels of professional competence in their particular ministry. Training, education, and experience all contribute to make us competent and credible in our areas of expertise. Ministry leaders shall not attempt to provide services in those areas in which they lack competence; competence also means knowing one’s limitations.