Code of Conduct Guide

Session 2: Relationships

As a ministry leader, I will, to the best of my ability, commit to the following:

  1. I will speak and act, in all my personal and professional relations, in ways that follow the pattern of Christ, who used his power to serve.
  2. I will respect, love, and treat with integrity and truthfulness people of every position, status, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or ability.
  3. I will maintain appropriate emotional, physical, and sexual boundaries in all relationships.
  4. I will keep all my relationships free from inappropriate, unwanted physical contact, emotional or sexual intimacy, sexual comments, gestures, or jokes.

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them."

For Discussion

  1. What does it mean to respect, love, and treat all people with integrity?
  2. In Genesis 1:26-27, the Bible teaches that every human being is created in the image of God. How should this impact the way that we treat others?
  3. How do we help each other do this? How can we nurture a culture in our communities that resists mistreatment of others?

Prayer for Leaders

In these moments of silence, we think about how we see and treat others. We fold our hands together. 

<fold hands>

God, our folded hands remind us of your call to hold one another—with respect, dignity, integrity, and love. 
Our folded hands remind us that we hold one another accountable for our actions and words so that we might cultivate safe spaces for all. 

<pause>

God, you made us in your image. In every face we see, may we recognize one who is beloved by you and bearing your likeness. May this be the foundation for all our relationships and interactions. May it change the way we speak, act, protect, and care for one another. May our relationships with one another be marked with the humility and love of Jesus Christ.
Amen.