"You can never make the same mistake twice,
because the second time you make it, it isn't a mistake, it's a choice."
- Anonymous
As a minister, my personal ethics reflect on not just myself but on my seminary and ordaining body, and on other ministers and religious officiants in general. There are good moral codes that already exist, and I draw on many of them to guide my actions on a daily basis. The Ten Commandments of the Abrahamic faiths, The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, and the Wiccan Rede's tenet of harming none are all a part of the web of my ethical behavior. My strongest personal source of high ethical wisdom, though, comes from the Delphic Maxims.
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Follow God / Worship the Gods
I will listen externally and internally for the words and ideas that Divinity places into my life. I will learn from my interactions with Divinity, in whatever forms It appears in, and I will follow, with intelligence and strength, the leads that are offered to me. Obey the Law I will obey the laws of the land in which I live, to the best of my ability. If I disagree with a particular law or set of laws, I will contrive to be a non-violent advocate for the changing of that law or those laws. I will strive to always be aware of the laws that govern me, and to support my government in all legal and ethical laws. Consult the Wise The ability to see one's own frailties is difficult to attain and maintain. I shall seek out the counsel of friends, families, mentors, fellow clergy and others to supplement my own knowledge and experiences. I shall be prepared to ask for help when I need it, or when I feel unequal to an acquired task. Think as a Mortal I will refrain from elevating myself to august positions, or seeing myself as god-like in any way. I will be humble even in my pride of place. I will take joy in the transience of my existence. Be Yourself I will be myself at all times, and not become a number or a nameless face. I will honor my own intentions, dreams, loves, and struggles in a way that is as transparent as possible without being rude or unseemly. Control Yourself / Control Anger I will, to the best of my ability, keep my anger and myself in check. I will always strive to dissipate anger or frustration before it becomes a problem or an issue. Should I find that I have given in to anger, I will work diligently to apologize and repair the damage, or in some way make reparations for the results of that anger. Cling to Discipline I will continue to learn new and improved ways to discipline my own actions. I will strive to be organized and disciplined in my approach to my ministry, my home, and my life. |
Long for Wisdom
I will constantly seek out new information and education. I will encourage the longing for wisdom within myself, and use that longing as a springboard for learning new techniques and methods to better my ministry and my life. Practice What is Just In my daily life and in my ministry I will do that which is just at any given moment, while understanding that the right thing can change with circumstances and time. I will strive to understand that what is right and just can change swiftly, and will apply myself to keep abreast of those changes in order to be a truly just human being and minister. I will strive to always be guided by truth, reason, justice and fairness. Honor the Hearth I will be considerate of my home and my family at all times, even when acting officially as a minister to and for others. I will remember that my hearth and my heart reside in the same place, and treat my hearth and home accordingly. Nothing in Excess I acknowledge that as a minister and as a person it is very easy to pledge my time, money and attention to the detriment of others and myself. I will therefore strive to be vigilant about budgeting my resources well within my means, doing my best to short no one. I will share my resources to the best of my ability, causing the least harm possible. I will work to be aware of and respect my own boundaries and limits. Be Religiously Silent When approached as a minister to listen to someone's perceived or actual sins or problems, I will keep that confidence strictly, never repeating what is said to me under that seal of confidentiality, except only to save the life of another human being. Crown Your Ancestors I believe that our ancestors give us guidance and advice, if we take the time to listen appropriately. I will be diligent in seeking that advice through prayer, meditation and ritual. I will take the time to thank my ancestors for their help on a regular basis through libations, prayers and offerings. |
