Assembly '97 News Home page Documents next story		Ethical implictions Thursday, July 10 Assembly has approved a code which places clear boundaries around the relationships between ministers and those for whom they care. The Interim Code of Ethics for Ministers of the Word, Deacons, Deaconesses,Youth Workers, Community Ministers and Lay Pastors in the Uniting Church was put together by the Commission for Women and Men. Assembly decided that even though the code was not in its final form, it could be put into practice, while the commission worked through any issues that needed to be addressed. Executive officer of the commission, Ms Christine Cargill, said the code affirmed good practice — how good ministry was done in relation to boundaries and power. One of the members of Assembly, Mr Michael Adams (NSW), was concerned the code would prevent ministers, especially those living in the country, from developing good friendships with parishioners and still being able to care pastorally for those people. However Ms Cargill still felt close friendships and pastoral care could go together, providing the pastoral relationship was clearly defined. Another member, educationalist and ethicist, Rev Brian Carey (Vic.), felt the code needed to be much broader before it could be approved. He wanted to see the church take up the concept of a charter of membership, which would include issues such as plagiarism, financial administration as well as sexual misconduct and clarification of pastoral relationships. Ms Cargill replied she hoped his concept would eventually come to fruition, however the Interim Code of Ethics was a good starting point. The code includes the place of ministry in the Christian community, the pastoral relationship, professional conduct, gifts and fees, and legal action against a minister.