ONESPIRIT’S CODE OF ETHICS

At OneSpirit, we recognise the pivotal role that integrity plays in the fabric of our training programmes and the practice of our staff, students, and ordained ministers. In our shared journey towards spiritual growth and interfaith understanding, we collectively dedicate ourselves to embodying and promoting a set of core precepts that guide our actions, decisions, and interactions.

This commitment is not merely a formal obligation but a heartfelt aspiration to live out the values that OneSpirit stands for in every aspect of our work and lives.

Our community of staff, students, and ministers is united in the commitment to these foundational precepts, reflecting a deep conviction in the importance of ethical conduct, respect, inclusivity, and compassion.

These guiding principles serve as beacons, illuminating our path as we navigate the complexities of spiritual education and ministry in a diverse and ever-changing world.

REMEMBERING OUR UNITY, HONOURING OUR UNIQUENESS

We aim to keep our hearts and minds open to everyone, celebrating differences but not separation. We refuse to marginalise people on the basis of age, disability, state of health, race, gender, nationality, religion, sexuality, economic status or any other distinction

WALKING OUR TALK

We understand the importance of practising what we preach and agree to uphold the ethical and practical principles of the spiritual path we follow. We recognise that all paths emphasise the importance of honesty, respecting self and others, non-stealing and non-harming.

CELEBRATING HONESTY

Knowing that truthfulness brings freedom, we aim to cultivate conscious and clear communication. We aim to speak and listen as truly as we can, being mindful that our words are kind, true and useful.

PROTECTING CLARITY

Since we value purity of awareness, we support each other in exercising maturity over the ingestion of intoxicants or mind-altering substances.

HONOURING PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES

To create a safe space for the opening of our hearts and minds, we aim to be sensitive and respectful in expressing physical affection. Mindful of the power our position as teacher, counsellor or minister may bring, we undertake to refuse absolutely sexual relationships with our students or clients.

REPRESENTING OURSELVES ACCURATELY

Since we strive for integrity, we understand the importance of not misleading others about the services we can offer, and not exaggerating our professional achievements. Further, we commit ourselves to open and just dealings in all of our financial transactions.

MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY

We honour the sacred trust between a spiritual counsellor and a client, and between a minister and the community served, and promise to hold any personal information in confidence within the law. The same applies to our group settings so that a safe space is created for heartfelt sharing.

VALUING SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION

We acknowledge the need for supervision and guidance beyond our years of study with OneSpirit. We commit to regular supervision of our spiritual accompaniment work.

COMMITTED TO CONTINUED AWAKENING

We understand that our spiritual unfolding is an ongoing process, and dedicate ourselves to continually deepening our personal spiritual practice, so that our service may be grounded in an authentic and evolving spiritual life.

SAFEGUARDING THE WHOLE

We commit, where necessary, to lovingly call to attention, either one-to-one or through our peer group, any issue that may place another in danger or compromise the good reputation of interfaith ministers, however difficult this may seem.

ONESPIRIT’S ETHICS & STANDARDS COMMITTEE

At OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation, we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards within our thriving ministerial community.

To ensure we uphold these principles, we have an Ethics and Standards Committee, comprising OneSpirit Supervisors, ROSIM members, representatives from jurisdictions where OneSpirit ministers are authorised to perform legal marriages, OneSpirit Faculty, and lay members from the general public.

This committee works diligently to elevate our professional practices and offer insightful guidance on the ethical nuances and issues our team may encounter.

It serves as a dedicated space created by us, for us, enriching our organisational ethos whilst balancing a co-dependent yet interconnected relationship with the wider OneSpirit community.

If you’re interested in our Committee, please get in contact with us here.