Clergy Oath
The CLERGY OATH * is one way to express our desire to be fully formed in love so we always act out of positive internal motivations: (You may recite this oath now and later invite colleagues to join together in affirming this oath.) Clergy Oath * I promise before Almighty God, my Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, and before all here assembled, that to the best of my judgment and ability I will always follow that form of caring concern that our standard of care deems to be appropriate for the benefit of those in my care. I promise to abstain from whatever is deleterious and damaging. I will give no advice to anyone that is not wholesome and productive of healing and in keeping with our Christian gospel and way of living. I will refrain from every suggestion of mischief, corruption, and impropriety, and from all forms of clergy misconduct. I will never be involved in any sexual, financial, or other action that would damage those involved, my clergy colleagues, nor anyone else. I will seek counsel and training to keep abreast of appropriate standards of care, conduct, and misconduct. I hereby affirm that I will perform my responsibilities as an ordained clergy person in a manner consistent with respect for the God given dignity and worth of the individual and that I shall strive for the preservation and protection of fundamental human rights. I will do no harm, do all the good I can, and continue in lively fellowship with the church as we together watch over each other in love. I will seek wholeness and holiness for all persons and consider it my pastoral responsibility to maintain appropriate confidentiality in all matters entrusted to me, based on ethical and disciplinary standards for clergy. With purity of motive and with holiness of purpose, I will live my life and practice my servant ministry without preoccupation for material gain, guided by Jesus’ great commandment to love God and neighbor as myself. I will keep as my life goal to be fully formed in love and to care for others as I would have them care for me. I will regard it as my sacred privilege to be allowed to enter the inner sanctum of those I seek to help. By the example of my life I will seek to demonstrate the wisdom, love, and integrity demonstrated in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. While I continue to keep this promise may it be granted to me to enjoy a full life and to practice my art respected by all and blessed by my God whose guidance and wisdom I will constantly seek. Amen * Revised for clergy by Richard Hunt, January, 2008, based on the original Psychologists’ Oath by Arch Hart (School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1990), and based on the Physicians’ Hippocratic Oath. For more information and critiques visit Hippocratic Oath
	Clergy Oath