Code of Ethics

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UMCMA Code of Ethics for Collegiate Ministry

The United Methodist Campus Ministry Association (UMCMA) is an association of campus ministers and chaplains serving on behalf of The United Methodist Church (UMC) on private and public college and university campuses. We recognize and acknowledge that we are an extension of the ministry of the United Methodist Church on campus and are called to work alongside others that share our passion for the faith and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

As a community of professional campus ministers and chaplains, we covenant to:

  1. support and enrich each other’s professional commitment and competency

  2. work connectionally in an atmosphere of collegiality, inclusiveness, and tolerance

  3. improve communications among members and the groups we represent

  4. speak to the collegiate community on matters of Christian faith, spirituality, human values, morality, and justice

  5. foster holistic and healthful Christian practices in the collegiate community

  6. serve as a Christian resource to individuals and groups within the College/University

  7. maintain the highest level of personal and professional integrity, and the highest degree of ongoing professional development

  8. offer Christ in the collegiate context, and to faithfully represent the United Methodist Church to the campus, and the campus to the United Methodist Church.

In light of this specialized ministry in and to higher education, and my calling to this ministry, I commit myself:

To the People I Serve

  1. My ministry is available to all students, faculty, staff, and administrators – unrestrictive to persons based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. [162, 2012 Book of Discipline]

  2. My first concern is for the holistic well-being of those I serve – mind, body, soul, and spirit.

  3. I will always adhere to, and take precautions to ensure, appropriate interpersonal boundaries in relating with those I serve.

  4. When promoting the ministry I represent, I will clearly identify myself and my affiliation.

To Higher Education and the College/University I Serve

  1. I view myself as a cooperative member of the College/University community.

  2. When exercising my freedom to question or dispute the College/University program or policies, I will do so in a peaceful and professional manner.

  3. I will encourage my students to know and follow procedures and policies of the College/University and the "Guidelines" for recognized student groups.

To Other Collegiate Ministries and Student Groups

  1. I will respect other collegiate ministries at my College/University, and seek to work collegially among them.

To Gospel and Pastoral Values

  1. I look to Scripture, the rich heritage of the UMC, and the movement of the Spirit of God to promote the faith development of those I serve.

To Broader Social Concerns, Justice and Peace in the World

  1. I recognize the College/University as a place for public debate and discourse on the many social concerns facing our society today. I will speak the Gospel values within this forum and collaborate with others in the pursuit of peace and justice in the world.

To the Standards of Our Profession

  1. I will strive for holiness, wholeness, and excellence in my ministry, and to grow as a ministry professional in service to the Church and campus.

To Personal Faithfulness, Integrity and Well-Being

  1. I will actively pursue my own faith development and enrichment, and nurture my own devotional life.

  2. I will seek personal integrity and the integration of my faith, ministry, and lifestyle.

  3. I will care for my own health and personal well-being. I will seek and maintain healthy relationships and strive to maintain a proper boundary between my personal and professional life. In the context of marriage, I will understand the unique role of my spouse, recognizing his or her primary responsibility is as marital partner rather than to the ministry. In the context of parenthood, I will regard my children as a gift from God and seek to meet their individual needs without imposing undue expectations upon them.

  4. I will continue to grow intellectually through personal study, comprehensive reading, and appropriate continuing education.

  5. I will manage my time by balancing personal obligations, ministry duties, and family responsibilities, and by observing regular Sabbath and renewal.

  6. I will be honest and responsible in my finances.

  7. I will be truthful in my speech, never plagiarizing another’s work, exaggerating the facts, misusing personal experiences, or communicating gossip.

  8. I will seek to be Christ-like in attitude and action toward all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. [162, 2012 Book of Discipline]

Accountability

  1. I submit to those I am accountable and answerable to: local boards, college and university officials, annual conference boards and agencies, my annual conference, my District Superintendent, and my Bishop. I further recognize and accept the authority of the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the rules and policies of the college or university where I minister, and the laws of the land.

  2. I will seek to lead and minister in an atmosphere of professional transparency and accountability in all aspects of ministry.

[Adopted on October 30, 2013 by the UMCMA Coordinating Committee]