REDUCING VULNERABILITY TO ETHICS CODE VIOLATIONS: AN ‘AT-RISK’ TEST FOR PASTORAL LEADERS/CARERS

A boundary violation is an action by one person that violates, (crosses over without permission), the limits and the rightful territory of another person. A boundary violation violates a person not a rule. The sexualising of pastoral or counselling relationships and the creation of any context of care that generates emotional or spiritual dependencies are not wrong primarily because they violate norms, but because they violate people.

This test has questions that assess the presence of potential precipitating conditions that in themselves may not be unethical but which may lead to an ethics violation. It is also important to remember that almost no reasonably healthy human being involved in ministry will record a zero score.

I have deliberately used the words mentor and supervisor almost interchangeably and the debate continues as to how to define this role, and in what context do we find this support for our ministry. I realise there is often a great deal of overlap and many pastoral leaders/carers use a spiritual director for similar purposes. Please read and complete this test out of your context and culture. Feel free to give it to someone else for their own use.

This test is for your own purposes or for use with your supervisor. You do not have to give it to anyone else and it can be used as part of your own journey of prayer, self-awareness and reflection as you allow God to affirm and challenge your ministry, care for others and yourself and create a safe environment. I have tried to imagine a wide diversity of cultures, contexts and spiritual perspectives. There will be inevitable awkward aspects. In a spirit of mutual learning and commitment to a Church that is safe for all people I hope we can develop this further. Feedback welcome.

Alan Niven. Churches of Christ Theological College. 2009

1. Is it true that you have never had a session (approx. 1 day equivalent) in your ministry formation or a professional development ‘update seminar’ on safe boundary and ethics practice?No = 0 Yes = 1

2. Are you unfamiliar with some of the key themes of your State, Agency, Denomination or Church’s current version of an Ethics Code?No = 0 Yes = 1

3. Do you think the Ethics Code interferes somewhat with the quality and spiritual value of your ministry, pastoral care or counselling?No = 0Yes = 1

4. Do you have someone you can debrief with if you find yourself sexually/emotionally attracted to any of your parishioners or clients? No = 1Yes = 0

5. Do you fantasise or daydream about spending time with one of your parishioners? Do you look forward to meeting with them on your own? No = 0Yes = 1

6. Have you ever intentionally increased the number or frequency of counselling/care/planning sessions because you enjoyed the time you had with a person?No = 0Yes = 1

7. Do you experience increased pleasure when you are with this particular parishioner? No = 0Yes = 1

8. Do you sometimes desire physical contact with this person?No = 0 Yes = 1

9. Have you avoided talking about this person to your mentor, supervisor or spiritual director?No = 0Yes = 1

10. Do you experience guilt and anxiety when you think about this person? No = 0Yes = 1

11. Are you in the midst of a personal difficulty, relationship stress or other crisis at the moment? No = 0Yes = 1

12. (If married) Is the state of emotional and sexual intimacy in your marriage secure enough at the moment for your needs to be met?No = 1Yes = 0 (If single) Can you identify where your needs for sexual and/or emotional intimacy and friendship are met outside of your pastoral relationships?No = 1Yes = 0

13. Do you sometimes feel that you’re the only one who can help a particular person? No = 0Yes = 1

14. As someone with a role in pastoral leadership/care-giving could you, with illustration, explain to a layperson the concepts of dependency and co-dependency?No = 1Yes = 0

15. As someone with a role in pastoral leadership/care-giving could you illustrate and explain to a layperson the concepts of transference and counter-transference?No = 1Yes = 0

16. Do you have a ministry supervisor/mentor or equivalent (who is not in your Church or community) with whom you meet regularly?No = 1 Yes = 0

17. As someone with a role in pastoral leadership/care-giving could you, with illustration, explain to a layperson the role and purpose of a supervisor/mentor?No = 1Yes = 0

18. Are you likely to discuss the results of this survey with someone you trust for your emotional and spiritual well-being and who cares deeply for the health of the Church? No = 1Yes = 0

Results – remember these indicate precipitating, at-risk, conditions.

O – 1Nearly risk-free and you will want to discuss this with your supervisor. 2 – 3Not too bad but: Re-read your Ethics Code. Check the points with your supervisor. 4 – 6Review practice. Check problem areas with your supervisor and consider changes. 6 – 8You are engaging in high-risk behaviour. See a supervisor urgently. 8+You are probably already harming your parishioners/clients and yourself. Seek counselling and immediate supervision. Make immediate changes in behaviour and practice.