• Promote and safeguard the best interests of the people you serve.
  
• Treat all people, but especially those under your care, with dignity and respect.
• Respect the rights of all people, organizations, and faith groups to hold their own values, traditions, beliefs, and practices.
• Act with integrity, sensitivity, and understanding.
• Practice the ministry of presence in loving and understanding ways. Be an instrument of peace, even with people you disagree with. 
• Use language and words that demonstrate empathy and bring peace rather than division. Avoid incendiary language. Be a peacemaker. 
• Develop and continue to grow in the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in an increasingly effective chaplain ministry.
• Ensure that you are fit to practice as a chaplain, safeguarding those under your care at all times by paying attention to your state of mind, your spiritual walk, and your health.
• Uphold the reputation of Christian Chaplains & Coaching at all times, exhibiting high standards of Christian behavior in every area of your life.
• Be committed to continuing education and meet the CE requirements of this ministry when they are due for completion. 
• Do not attempt to counsel someone in a situation where you are not qualified. Seek out assistance from qualified counselors to whom you may refer.
• Recognize, respect, and submit to your pastor as your primary spiritual authority under Christ as guided by Scripture. 
• Comply with this Code of Conduct at all times. 
  
  

• Remain a member in good standing with a local biblical, evangelical*, protestant Christian church.
• Grow in your knowledge and application of scripture for the purpose of discipleship, Christian maturity, a growing faith, and to become the person that God wants you to become through Christ.
• Be certain of your salvation through faith in Christ, and Christ alone.
• Do not proselytize. That is, never force your belief on others uninvited. Just listen, listen, love, love. 
• Be sure that you agree with the Christian Chaplains & Coaching Statement of Faith.
• Learn to care for others in such a way that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is never pushed upon them, but rather, the light of Christ is visible in the way you live.
• Become fluent in the Gospel and learn to share it without being legalistic or judgmental or condemning of others.
• Understand that providing care for others depends on the Holy Spirit working through you in the hope of leading them to a new or stronger relationship with Christ. In the end, this is the only thing we do that will matter.
• Your work as a chaplain for our ministry must keep the Gospel always at the center, but in such a way as it does not alienate those who are under your care.
• Sometimes, you must earn someone’s trust before you can effectively share the Gospel. Therefore, learn to make a friend, be a friend, and then win the friend to Christ. Always speak and act in ways that respect the dignity of every person you care for.  
• You concentrate on the work of serving others with the love of Christ, and let God take care of their salvation.
  
  

*"Evangelical" is defined as: Bible believing, gospel proclaiming, Christ only for salvation, in full agreement with our statement of faith.

• Do not engage in pornography or unbiblical sexual relationships in any form at any time. If you struggle with this, you must seek another person to help you remain accountable to abstinence from this.
• Never display sexualized behavior toward a person under your care.
• Be careful of your use of touch to assure that your actions are never misunderstood.
• Do not use illegal drugs, or abuse legally prescribed ones, at any time for any reason, ever.
• Do not abuse alcohol.
• Be able to pass periodic background checks.
• Never engage in care to a person of the opposite sex in a private setting. You must conduct such meetings in the presence of another person or in a public place.
• Never engage in care of a minor unless you are accompanied by another person or you meet in a public place.
• Recognize the limits of your expertise in any area and seek assistance from other professionals who may help you in a situation beyond your ability. Be ready to refer relationships as may be needed.
• Never manipulate, exploit, or intimidate which may cause stress or harm.
• Never bully, show anger, or be abusive (verbally or physically) at any time.
  
  

• Be guided by the Christian Chaplains & Coaching Statement of Faith at all times.
• Will not officiate or participate in a formal capacity in any marriage that falls outside of the definition of marriage described in the Statement of Faith.
• Will refrain from officiating in any pagan ritual or cult ceremony of any kind. 
• Will refrain from participation in or promotion of any form of unbiblical spiritual practice. This includes but is not limited such things as the occult, magic jars, stones or rune stones, crystals, guided meditation, totem animals, or other expressions of pagan beliefs especially if they are rooted in witchcraft, sorcery, or shamanism. The term "Metaphysical" is not necessarily unchristian, but is often associated with new age religion and must be avoided. 
• Be careful here. Consult with your pastor. Call the home office for clarification as needed. When in doubt, check it out. 
  
  

• Respect the right of every individual to safeguard their personal information and limit its disclosure.
• Be sure to communicate your commitment to confidentiality to every person who comes under your care.
• Treat every communication and everything you know about a person as confidential. Never gossip!
• Safeguard against breaches of confidentiality.
• Understand the legal requirements of your state or other jurisdiction regarding pastoral confidentiality and possible requirements for mandatory reporting. 
• As members of the clergy, Chaplains are required to keep pastoral conversations in strict confidence. You must abide by the requirements of mandatory reporting as defined by the legal jurisdiction in which you serve. You must ensure that confidential information is never shared with any party unless there is clear justification for doing so, which may include:
  —The valid consent of the individual.
  —Where you are aware of the potential for serious harm to self or others. 
  —The prevention, detection, or prosecution of a serious crime.
  —When required by law or by order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
  
  

• Be in relationship with other mature believers, including other chaplains, pastors, or ministry leaders. A chaplain should never be a lone ranger when it comes to ministry.
• Engage in building Christian community around your life and ministry. Be on mission in community with other believers to a particular people group, or neighborhood, or network of relationships.
• Respect the skills, contributions, and integrity of other chaplains in our network.
• Seek to find opportunities to collaborate with other chaplains in our network.
• Be respectful to your own pastor and accept instruction from the pastor is a primary leader. 

All Chaplains sign and represent that they have read, understand, agree, and will comply with the Christian Chaplains & Coaching Statement of Faith and this Code of Conduct. Misconduct is described as any behavior that violates the standards of behavior for chaplains outlined in this code. Misconduct may result in disciplinary action and/or revocation and suspension of the chaplaincy credential.