CODE OF ETHICS FOR MINISTERS/SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF OUR ASSOCIATION OF UNITY CHURCHES INTERNATIONAL and ASSOCIATION OF UNITY CHURCHES (CANADA)

I. DEDICATION TO TRUTH PRINCIPLES

A. As a Unity Minister/Spiritual Leader (Minister/Spiritual Leader here and throughout the document refers to those individuals who are credentialed and/or recognized as Unity leaders by the Association of Unity Churches Canada and International.) I dedicate myself to the principles of Truth as taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ and interpreted by Unity School of Christianity and the Association of Unity Churches International. I will adhere to the five basic ideas:

1.  
   1. God is Absolute good, everywhere present
   2. Every human being is an expression of the Divine, the Christ spirit, by whatever name, indwells all people. Their very essence is of God, and therefore they are also inherently good.
   3. Human beings create their experience by the activity of their thinking. Everything in the manifest realm had its beginning in thought.
   4. Prayer is creative thinking that heightens the connection with God-Mind and therefore brings forth wisdom, healing, prosperity, and everything good.
   5. Knowing and understanding the laws of life,also called Truth, are not enough. A person must also live the truth that he/she knows.

B. I look to the indwelling Christ for inspiration, to guide, govern, and prosper me.

C. I will, to the best of my understanding and ability, bring the freeing truth to humankind. This I will do in a spiritually dignified way, being guided by divine wisdom and good judgement.

D. I believe in the power of prayer: and I am convinced that, as Jesus said, "All things are possible to him who believes." And I will seek to deepen my prayer life and prayer experiences for only as I drink from the fountain of truth myself can I offer the cup of truth to others.

E. I consecrate myself to God, and in so doing surrender any selfish desires and personal ambition so that the will of God may be expressed through me in service to humankind. 

F. I will seek to express a greater measure of humility, remembering that true humility is an attitude toward God, rather than an attitude toward humankind. Thus I will not seek to glorify self, but seek to glorify God.

G. I believe that the true minister of the Gospel is one who has been called to this work by the spirit of Truth within. I desire only to express this Truth, and to teach others to live it.

H. I will not use my ministry for my own personal gain. Any goods or assets that have been raised in the name of Unity will be registered in the name of Unity and not in the name of an individual.

I. I will, to the best of my ability, communicate the International Association of Unity Churches Canada and Internationals’ values, mission, vision, and goals in service to my ministry.

II. THE MINISTERIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

The ministerial relationship pre-supposes certain role expectations: the minister is expected to make available certain resources, talents, knowledge, and expertise which will serve the best interests of the congregant, client, employee, student, staff member, etc.

A. The role of minister carries with it authority and power. I will fulfill my responsibility and use this power to benefit the people who call upon me for service.

B. I will maintain the boundaries of the ministerial relationship, realizing that crossing boundaries is a betrayal of trust.

C. I will refrain from sexual contact and/or sexualized behavior with a congregant, client, or employee with whom I have a professional and/or pastoral relationship, realizing it is unethical and is deemed clergy misconduct. (Clergy misconduct involving sexual abuse and/or sexualizing a professional relationship is defined as sexual activity or contact, not limited to sexual intercourse).

D. I will conduct my work, private and public, after the standards and in accord with the teachings and ideals of Unity School of Christianity, Unity Village, Missouri, and the Association of Unity Churches (Canada) and International without competition and contention, realizing that the more truly I practice the principles of these Associations and the School, the greater will be the good to each and all immediately concerned, and to the community at large.

E. I am in honor bound to hold sacred all confidences reposed in me. Confession of error or seeming misconduct made in conferences or consultation and any defects of character or misbehavior revealed to me while engaged as counselor shall be kept secret and held inviolate and never divulged to another person regardless of that other person's status or relation, except as I may choose to do so as required by provincial or federal law.

F. I will never mention, without permission, either privately or publicly, the name, residence or locality of any person under treatment in the past or present in illustration or verification of the principles of healing. The ministry of healing or counseling is held to be sacred and, therefore, is to be conducted with reverence and with the strictest regard for the sensibilities and individual rights of students and counselee who in good faith and confidence have committed themselves to the consideration and guidance of the minister.

G. I believe that more is taught by what a minister is than what s/he says. Therefore, I will seek to keep my morals above reproach. I will exercise good judgment in regard to my social conduct and my relationships will be such as to command only the highest respect. I am conscious of the fact that to be pure in heart is to be pure in conduct also.

III. RELATING TO COLLEAGUES

A. I recognize that it is incumbent upon me to hold all ministers in esteem and respectful regard, and to use all rightful means to protect the personal and professional honor of all other ministers.

B. I will respect the work, both public and private, of our ministers, and shall uphold them in their endeavor to carry on the practices and duties of the Unity ministry. I shall render at any and all times such cooperative assistance as may be solicited and mutually agreed upon, no minister interfering with the work or practice of another.

C. I will not infringe upon or interfere in the work of another minister. I will modify my relations with members of a congregation which I have previously served in the light of that which is in the highest interest of the Unity minister and ministry. After relinquishing my work to another minister, I will give as much assistance as possible to my successor without interfering in any way. If I am asked by a member of a Unity ministry or center in which I am not serving to conduct a special service of any kind, I will consult the minister of that ministry or center before accepting.

D. In any center or group in which I have been a student or assistant, I will fully cooperate with
and obtain the approval of the leader of the group or center, before I perform in any way, directly or indirectly, a personal healing ministry, or any personal or group teaching.

E. When I am disturbed by the activities of another center, I will communicate such disturbance to the President of AUCC instead of to other ministers.

F. An assistant (or associate) minister, or teacher, will give the senior minister full support and cooperation, and will not criticize the minister in any way, or discuss the minister in a negative way with any ministry or center member, board member, or outsider. If a problem arises, assistant/associate/teacher will discuss it directly with the senior minister.

G. When assuming the leadership of an established ministry or center, I will avoid criticism of the former minister or her/his work.

H. I will be ethical in my conduct and attitude toward ministries or other denominations, and toward other organizations and metaphysical groups. I will not criticize their teaching, but will extend such cooperative assistance as may be solicited and mutually agreed upon, while at the same time being careful not to identify the name of Unity with any questionable teachings.

I. In all relations with other ministers I will be mindful that love is the fulfilling of the law.

J. I will always and in every way within my ability assist in the advancement of the influence and power of any center in which I visit or speak.

IV. RELATING TO MINISTRIES

A. If any member requests a transfer of membership from the local Unity center to an outside organization or another Unity center in the area or at a distance, I will grant this request with my love and blessings, and without hesitation. I will not hold onto the member, or place the member in an embarrassing position of having to explain.

B. I will keep in mind that the welfare of the congregation is paramount, taking precedence over even my personal life and desires. Should I experience any personal crisis, the consequences of which could affect the ministry, I will confer with a representative of the Association of Unity Ministries Canada. I will also engage professional counseling.

C. I will not seek in any way, directly or indirectly, to draw to me correspondents or personal students from any other established Unity center, ministry or group.

V. RELATING TO OUR ASSOCIATION OF UNITY CHURCHES INTERNATIONAL

A. I will not attempt to carry on Unity work in any city without first obtaining the full approval of the Board of Trustees of AUCC for such work and without seeking the cooperation of already active and recognized Unity leaders in that vicinity.

B. I will work in perfect harmony and accord with the Canadian and International Association of Unity Churches in my speaking and teaching programs, and I will consult the Association whenever the teacher, lecturer, or course of lessons is subject to my personal doubt.

C. I will, to the best of my ability, communicate the Association's values, mission, vision and goals in service to my ministry.

VI. MY PLEDGE

I sincerely devote myself to living in accord with this Code in letter and in spirit, and to seeing it made manifest in all others, thus bringing to ourselves only associations and conditions that harmonize with this Code. I recognize our Canadian and International Association of Unity Churches and this Code of Ethics as a framework in which I individually agree to function. I recognize that such an agreement is necessary for our mutual and individual effectiveness. If I find myself contemplating or actually functioning outside of this framework, I agree to seek the kind of help described in Section IV (B). Failure to seek such help will mean that, by my own choice, I am functioning outside of the framework of this Code and consequently placing myself outside of the Association of Unity Churches (Canada) and International. _______________________________________ _________________________________

Signature                                                                                      Date