Personal Code of Ethics
CHPL 615: Chaplain Ethics for Advisement and Pastoral Care – Dr. Gregory Stephens
March 4, 2025
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................1
Operating as a Chaplain..........................................................................................................1
My Personal Code of Ethics.....................................................................................................3
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................4
Bibliography............................................................................................................................5
ii
1
Introduction
Personal ethics are at the center of any good ministry. My future ministry will be as a US.
Army Chaplain, and it is extremely important for me to have my own code of ethics. Without it,
I cannot operate effectively in the world today. A code of ethics is not something that a person
obtains automatically. Being born again nor accepting a call to ministry equals ethical
standards/uprightness1 As a future Army Chaplain, my personal code of ethics will be based on
scriptures such as what is said in 1 Peter, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
Operating as a Chaplain
As an officer already in the US Army, I follow a professional code of ethics that enables me to
act in a manner that honors the uniform I wear while also taking care of Soldiers in need of
leadership. I am obligated to set an example for Soldiers and civilians alike, no matter where I
go. The Army expects me to conduct myself using the Army values. They are loyalty, duty,
respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Trull notes that, “Virtually every
profession has a written code of ethics to guarantee moral performance in the marketplace.”2
While these values are important when discussing how to act as a Soldier, they do not consider
the spiritual aspect of personal ethics.
As a Christian minister operating within the parameters of the US Army, it is my personal
obligation to uphold a moral code that honors God while in uniform. While Jesus was here on
earth, He operated as a humble servant to God and to His disciples around him. As a Christian, I
am called to do the same. In Colossians, we are called to, “put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12). This means that as a chaplain, it is my job
to serve the Soldiers with kindness and humility, even if I outrank them. If one of my Soldiers
1 Joe E. Trull and James E. Carter, Ministerial Ethics: Moral Formation for Church Leaders, Second Edition
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004), 17.
2 Ibid., 186
2
has suffered something, it is my job to suffer with them and comfort them in their time of need.
Even if they don’t have the same set of beliefs that I do, I am still there to guide and assist them
in any way I can.
I have a responsibility as a chaplain to always be ready to assist Soldiers with anything that
they need help with. If they need food, I need to be ready to help. If they need a ride because
their car broke down, I need to be there. If a Soldier is having issues with their spouse, I need to
be ready to provide counseling. It is my main responsibility to meet the spiritual and emotional
needs of Soldiers.
It is my responsibility to have personal accountability as well. This means working with other
chaplains stationed with me and building a network of trusted friends and advisors who can
give me guidance on what I am doing as a chaplain and how I need to improve. James tells us,
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed”
(James 5:16). I won’t be a perfect chaplain. I know that I must be willing to hear feedback from
those around me to help myself improve as a chaplain. I know that if I am willing to put in the
work, the Lord will see it and guide me. James tells us, “Faith without works is dead” (James
2:26). Trull notes that, “a written code of ethics can serve as a guide and a goal; it can both
teach and inspire.”3 My code of ethics may not be perfect, but it will help me to help others as
well as myself.
My Personal Code of Ethics
1. I will respect all people from all walks of life.
2. I will be present and available for anyone who needs help or guidance.
3. I will keep all private matters confidential, unless a person is in imminent danger.
4. I will always keep the Lord first in my life.
5. I will ensure that I be held accountable by others.
6. I will not willfully indulge in any type of sin or sinful behavior.
3 Trull, “Ethics,” 187.
3
7. I will put the needs of others before my own.
4
Conclusion
A military chaplain exists to serve the spiritual, emotional and mental needs of Soldiers. That
involves doing many things for them, even if they inconvenience you. As a Soldier, I am
supposed to uphold the army values, but as a Christian, I am to be a representative of God,
even in uniform. My code of ethics is designed to help take care of Soldiers and their needs. I
am also called to be kept accountable as a chaplain. I am to show kindness, humility and
compassion to the Soldiers I minister to.
5
Bibliography
Trull, Joe E, and James E Carter. Ministerial Ethics: Moral Formation for Church Leaders. Grand
Rapids, Mich., Baker Academic, 2004Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
