FIEC Code of Conduct
1. Purpose
This Code is intended to set the standard of behaviour expected of Representatives (Senior Pastors), Associates and Staff of FIEC. As a fellowship, we value the importance of pastoral ministry to gospel growth and recognise that the conduct of Christian leaders can affect the public reputation of the Lord Jesus and the advance of his mission. This Code should be read alongside the Complaints Policy which sets out the process by which a person can submit a formal complaint regarding conduct under this Code.
2. Key Principles
This Code does not seek to describe the full breadth of behaviour expected of a Christian leader. Instead, it formally sets a minimum standard of conduct to which all Representatives, Associates and Staff agree to be held accountable. If persons covered by this Code are to conduct themselves in accordance with its objects and purposes, they will need to continually cultivate a healthy relationship with God. This includes making it a priority to be personally deep in word, prayer and fellowship, to carefully safeguard appropriate rest and recreation as embodied and finite creatures, and to cultivate healthy relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
3. Definitions
Associate means a person accepted as an Associate of FIEC including a marriage celebrant registered by FIEC as a minister of religion for the purpose of solemnising marriages according to the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth).
abuse means the following conduct: bullying, emotional abuse, harassment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or spiritual abuse.
appropriate FIEC authority means the National Director of FIEC or if in relation to the conduct of the National Director himself, the Chairman of FIEC.
bullying means behaviour directed to a person or persons which is repeated, unreasonable and creates a risk to their health and safety.
child means a person under the age of 18.
child protection obligations means all requirements under law or according to the church with the purpose of protecting the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable people.
church means a local church body that is a member or a provisional member of FIEC.
emotional abuse means acts or omissions in relation to another person that can cause them significant emotional trauma or lead to serious behavioural or cognitive disorders.
FIEC means the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (ABN: 36 097 525 051).
governing body means the primary leadership group of a church which is nominated as such by the church to FIEC from year to year.
harassment means unwelcome conduct, whether intended or not, in relation to another person where the person feels with good reason in all the circumstances, offended, humiliated or intimidated.
offensive language includes blasphemy, verbal harassment, racial, sexual and other forms of vilification, personal insult or comment, and obscene words.
pastoral relationship means a relationship that a person under this Code has with another person for the purposes of providing pastoral care including but not limited to spiritual advice, instruction, support and counselling.
physical abuse means any intentional or reckless act, use of force or threat to use force causing injury to, or involving unwelcome physical contact with, another person.
prohibited material means images or sounds including publications, films and computer games that are considered by civil or church standards to be unsuitable for a child to see, hear, read or play, and any substance or product whose supply to or use by children is prohibited by law.
prohibited substance means any substance that is banned or prohibited by law for use or consumption by adults.
Representative means a person appointed to the General Committee of FIEC to represent the rights of their church.
restricted material means images or sounds including publications, films and computer games that are considered by civil or church standards to be offensive on the grounds of violence, sex, language, drug abuse or nudity.
sexual abuse means sexual assault, sexual exploitation or sexual harassment either of an adult or a child.
spiritual abuse means the mistreatment of a person by actions or threats when justified by appeal to God, faith or religion.
Staff means any person employed by FIEC.
4. Implementation of this Code
This Code will only be effective if it is widely known and available not only by those persons covered by it but also by FIEC, its churches, their governing bodies and their members. Where the Code is consistently applied and enforced, it will promote proper behaviour and a healthy culture across the fellowship.
4.1 You are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the conduct set out in this Code.
4.2 If you are a Representative, you must ensure that the governing body, staff and members of your church are made aware of this Code.
4.3 You are not to tolerate or cover up any behaviour inconsistent with this Code and if you become aware of any serious or persistent breaches of it, you must inform the appropriate FIEC authority.
5. Pastoral Relationships
Christian leadership of any kind bears a unique spiritual and ecclesial authority. With that authority comes a degree of power in pastoral relationships that must always be exercised with the utmost care and in the best interests of those being ministered to.
5.1 Unless required or permitted by law, or necessary and lawful in the legitimate exercise of your pastoral duties, you must not disclose confidential information received in a pastoral relationship to any other person without the prior consent of the person providing the information.
5.2 You are not to inappropriately show favouritism or discriminate between people in pastoral relationships.
5.3 Where you have a conflict of interest in a pastoral relationship, you must take appropriate steps to resolve the conflict and act in the best interests of those to whom you are ministering.
5.4 You must ensure that any staff, leaders or volunteers for whom you are responsible are provided with a safe working environment in which any abuse of power is not tolerated.
6. Children and Vulnerable People
Vulnerable people including children, families, the disabled and the elderly are at particular risk of abuse and exploitation. It is vitally important that vulnerable people in Christian communities and churches are respected, listened to and protected.
6.1 If you are a Representative, you must ensure that:
a. proper systems and policies for the safety and welfare of vulnerable people are implemented, maintained and adhered to in your church; and
b. all persons in your church who have a pastoral relationship with vulnerable people comply with all civil and church child protection obligations.
6.2 You are not to abuse vulnerable people.
6.3 You must not make any prohibited material available to a child other than wine in the context of the Lord’s Supper.
6.4 You must comply with all civil and church child protection obligations including but not limited to any screening and selection requirements in your State or Territory.
6.5 If you know or reasonably suspect that a child is at risk of harm from any form of child abuse, you must comply with all mandatory reporting obligations under law.
7. Personal Conduct
The personal behaviour of a Christian leader is core to their qualification for public ministry and can significantly affect the reputation of the gospel and the church. A leader’s use of his or her position, and their relationship with the community at large, are of particular importance.
7.1 You are not to engage in any abusive conduct including but not limited to:
a. bullying;
b. emotional abuse;
c. harassment;
d. physical abuse;
e. sexual abuse; or
f. spiritual abuse.
7.2 You must not abuse your spouse, children or other members of your family, or engage in any form of abuse in a family or domestic context.
7.3 You are not to knowingly make any statements that are false, misleading or deceptive or use offensive language, including in online contexts.
7.4 If you consume alcohol or any other addictive substances, you must do so responsibly and in moderation.
7.5 You are not to use any prohibited substance at any time.
7.6 You are not to view, possess, produce or distribute any restricted material without a legitimate purpose.
7.7 You must obey civil and criminal laws other than any law that is contrary to the Bible or unjustly prohibits the practice of religion.
7.8 You are to inform the appropriate FIEC authority if you are being investigated in relation to or being charged with a criminal offence.
8. Gender and Sexual Conduct
God created humanity as male and female and gave human sexuality as a gift. It is important that Christian leaders honour their biological gender as given by God, and maintain sexual chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. It is never appropriate for a Christian leader to take advantage of their role to engage in sexual activity with a person with whom they have a pastoral relationship and who is not their spouse.
8.1 You must not engage in sex outside of a heterosexual marriage or any disgraceful conduct of a sexual nature.
8.2 You must not sexually abuse an adult or a child.
8.3 You are not to engage in prostitution, or visit brothels or places associated with the sex industry without a legitimate purpose.
8.4 You are not to view, possess, produce or distribute any form of pornography or child pornography.
8.5 In your interactions with members of the opposite sex, you are to be above reproach and avoid situations that may give rise to any real or perceived improper conduct.
9. Financial Management
Maintaining integrity in financial affairs is an essential matter of trust and confidence. Christian leaders must guard against greed in their personal financial dealings and when handling money belonging to others, they must seek to be honest, transparent and accountable at all times.
9.1 You must not seek personal advantage or financial gain from your position or a pastoral relationship, beyond your remuneration and any recognised allowances and deductions.
9.2 You are not to engage in tax evasion and must comply with all tax laws, regulations and rulings at all times.
9.3 You must not allow yourself to be unduly influenced by offers of financial gain or show partiality or bias in your pastoral relationships on the basis of a person’s financial means or activity.
9.4 You are to avoid situations of conflict between your personal financial interests and your pastoral responsibilities, including with respect to any monetary or non-monetary benefits provided to you by persons with whom you have a pastoral relationship.
9.5 With respect to all monies which you handle or receive in the exercise of your pastoral duties, including any honoraria or substantial gifts, you must abide by the policy or practice prescribed by your church or in the case of Staff, by FIEC.
FIEC Code of Conduct - Version 2 - September 2023