The Uniting Church has a Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice which applies to Candidates, Community Ministers, Deacons, Deaconesses, Interns, Lay Pastors, Ministers of the Word, Pastors, Youth Workers and Ministers from another denomination serving in an approved placement. Each year Port Phillip East Presbytery runs two Ethical Ministry Refreshers that cover one aspect of the Code of Ethics.
Lay Preachers
The Uniting Church also has a Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice for Lay Preachers, which applies to people who are accredited by the Presbytery and the wider church in that role.
Lay Leaders
The Uniting Church has a Code of Conduct for Lay Leaders, which outlines the behaviours expected of persons who participate in the life of the Uniting Church in Australia as leaders. It applies to all the Church’s lay leaders, including but not exclusively Church Councillors, elders, worship leaders, chairs of committees, team / activity leaders. That is, any lay person who accepts a leadership role within a Congregation, Presbytery, Synod or Assembly. It does not apply to those holding paid positions as it is expected that employment contracts will bind employees to the organisation’s code of conduct.
Ethical Ministry Refreshers
Each year Uniting Church Presbyteries run two “Ethical Ministry Refreshers”, three hour sessions that focus on a section of the UCA Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice. They include theological reflection, consideration of case studies, and time to meet with colleagues to talk about ministry.
Relationship to the Law 2023
The Ethical Ministry Refreshers (Code of Ethics Training) second session for 2023 will be on Wednesday 8 November and Thursday 9 November.
‘The legality of assisted dying will dramatically reshape the scope and tenure of pastoral care provided to those who face end-of-life concerns….. Faith communities, through their ministries of spiritual and religious care, will now be challenged to clarify their role in the provision of guidance and assistance at this final stage of an individual’s life journey.’. (from the “In sure and certain hope by general synod of the Anglican Church of Canada)
Download Resources
Ethical ministry and the law Session 2, 2023 Material for Participants