Code of Pastoral Conduct

7. Conflicts of Interest

Clergy, staff, and volunteers should avoid situations that might present a conflict of interest. Even the appearance of a conflict of interest can call into question integrity and professional standards.

7.1 Clergy, staff, and volunteers should disclose all relevant factors that potentially could create a conflict of interest.

7.2 Clergy, staff, and volunteers should inform all parties when a real or potential conflict of interest arises. Resolution of the issues must protect the person receiving ministry services.

7.2.1 No clergy, staff, or volunteer should take advantage of anyone to whom they are providing services in order to further their personal, financial, religious, political, or business interests.

7.2.2 Pastoral counselors should not provide counseling services to anyone with whom they have a business, professional, or social relationship. When this is unavoidable, the client must be protected. The counselor must establish and maintain clear, appropriate boundaries.

7.2.3 When pastoral counseling or spiritual direction services are provided to two or more people who have a relationship with each other, the Pastoral Counselor or Spiritual Director must:

Clarify with all parties the nature of each relationship,
Anticipate any conflict of interest,
Take appropriate actions to eliminate the conflict, and
Obtain from all parties written consent to continue services.

7.3 Conflicts of interest may also arise when a Pastoral Counselor’s or Spiritual Director’s independent judgment is impaired by:

Prior dealings,
Becoming personally involved, or
Becoming an advocate for one (person) against another.

In these circumstances, the Pastoral Counselor or Spiritual Director shall advise the parties that he or she can no longer provide services and refer them to another Pastoral Counselor or Spiritual Director.