SCA Communities of Chaplains consist of a small group of professional chaplains whose common bond is membership in the Spiritual Care Association. Each community will likely represent various religions and world views, different levels of certification, a variety of places of practice and populations served, and a spectrum of years of experience and service. Spiritual care professionals who participate in a Community of Chaplains commit to integrity, competence, respect, and collegiality as defined by the Code of Ethics published by the Spiritual Care Association. To foster a community in which personal professional and spiritual growth can occur in a mutually supportive environment, all Chaplain Community members must agree with and seek to foster the following:

Psychological Safety

To engage in meaningful conversations about professional, spiritual, or personal issues affecting them in their work, community members must feel safe. Spiritual care professionals engaged in community life must behave in a trustworthy manner. They must act honestly and responsibly both individually and as members of the organizations with which they are affiliated and employed. Use of derogatory language and actions by community members to or about persons, their beliefs or any aspect of their culture, either by verbal or written means, is strictly prohibited. Included is any kind of language or actions that are forms of harassment, coercion, intimidation, or are otherwise abusive. Accurate and respectful language should be used in all communication to and about persons.

Respect for Diversity

Community members must demonstrate respect for the spiritual, religious, existential, and cultural values of other members and not seek to impose their own personal values and beliefs on their colleagues. Proselytizing by any member is strictly prohibited.

Welcoming of Others

Community members strive to identify and eliminate discrimination in all its forms and expressions. Members will demonstrate sensitivity to differences among people and cultural groups. This includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual identify, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religious, spiritual, existential or no belief system, immigration status, mental or physical disability, and social indicators such as literacy, homelessness, incarceration, or income level.

Dignity and Respect

Members are sensitive to spiritual, religious, existential, cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual-orientation and other expressions of diversity. They affirm in word and action the dignity and value of each member of the community to which they belong.

Confidentiality

Each member agrees to respect other persons’ right to privacy and confidentiality. Once private information is shared, standards of confidentiality apply. What is discussed in the group stays in the group.

Integrity

Community members represent their competencies, education, training, and experience relevant to their practice in an accurate manner. In their daily work, they agree to provide services only within the boundaries of their certification or credentials. In their interactions with other community members, they represent their level of training, skills and work experience with honesty and integrity.

Community Minded

Within communities, relationships between and among members are important to personal and communal strength, support, and growth. Members seek to engage others as partners in the provision of spiritual care to better address their challenges, joys, and needs. They seek to resolve conflicts and promote effective communication and understanding among members at all times.

Civil Dialogue

Colleagues and their qualifications, views, and professional obligations should be treated with respect, regard, support, and confidentiality within the community. Members will always speak and act in ways that honor the dignity and value of every individual. Unwarranted negative criticism of other community members should be avoided in all verbal and written communications.

Best Practices

Community members agree to be informed by professional education, knowledge, training, and demonstration of competence. They perform their work within their scope of practice and continually develop and enhance their professional expertise.