A Healing Presence is Being consciously and compassionately in the present moment with another, believing in and affirming their potential for wholeness, wherever 
they are in their life.
- The Art of being a Healing Presence, James E Miller with Susan C Cutshall


OVERVIEW

One of the roles of the Caribbean Association of Professional Chaplains (CAPC) is to help to elevate the standard of practice of chaplains in the Caribbean. To this end, chaplains who are members would be expected to adhere to the CAPC standards for professional pastoral competence, professional ethics, and standards of practice. Note that these standards are currently in draft pending ratification by the membership.

STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL PASTORAL COMPETENCE

CAPC Members will:
  • be aware of themselves as ministers and of the ways their ministry affects persons.  
  • be aware of how their attitudes, values, assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses affect their pastoral care.  
  • demonstrate the ability to engage and apply the support, confrontation and clarification of a peer group for the integration of personal attributes and pastoral functioning. 
  • have an awareness and understanding of how persons, social conditions, systems, and structures affect their lives and the lives of others and how to address effectively these issues through their ministry.  
  • be skilled in providing intensive and extensive pastoral care and counseling to persons.  
  • have the ability to make effective use of their religious/spiritual heritage, theological understanding, and knowledge of the behavioral sciences in their pastoral care of persons and groups.  
  • be able to demonstrate the pastoral role in professional relationships and how to work effectively as a pastoral member of a multidisciplinary team.  
  • have the  capacity to use one’s pastoral and prophetic perspectives in preaching, teaching, leadership, management, pastoral care, and pastoral counseling.  
  • have an understanding and ability to apply the praxis-reflection-praxis method of learning.  
  • have an ability to use both individual and group supervision for personal and professional growth, including the capacity to evaluate one’s ministry.   

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

In relation to other groups, CAPC members: 
  • maintain good standing in their faith group.  
  • abide by the professional practice and/or teaching standards of the Country, the community and the institution in which they are employed. If for any reason they are not free to practice or teach according to conscience, they shall notify the employer and CAPC through the appropriate channels.  
  • maintain professional relationships with other persons in the institution in which employed and/or the community.  
  • do not directly or by implication claim professional qualifications that exceed actual qualifications or misrepresent their affiliation with any institution, organization or individual; are responsible for correcting the misrepresentation or misunderstanding of their professional qualifications or affiliations.  


In relation to CAPC, members: 
  • continue professional education and growth, including participation in the meetings and affairs of CAPC.  
  • avoid using knowledge, position or professional association to secure unfair personal advantage; do not knowingly permit their services to be used by others for purposes inconsistent with the ethical standards of CAPC; or use affiliation with CAPC for purposes that are not consistent with CAPC standards.  
  • speak on behalf of CAPC or represent the official position of CAPC only as authorized by the CAPC governing body. 
  • do not make intentionally false, misleading or incomplete statements about their work or ethical behavior.  


In collegial relationships, CAPC members:  
  • respect the integrity and welfare of colleagues; maintain professional relationships on a professional basis, refraining from disparagement and avoiding emotional, sexual or any other kind of exploitation.  
  • take collegial and responsible action when concerns about incompetence, impairment or misconduct arise.         
 
   
In conducting business matters, CAPC members:  
  • carry out administrative responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.  
  • implement sound fiscal practices, maintain accurate financial records and protect the integrity of funds entrusted to their care.  
  • distinguish private opinions from those of CAPC, their faith group or profession in all publicity, public announcements or publications.  

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

In relationship to those served, CAPC members:  
  • affirm and respect the human dignity and individual worth of each person.  
  • do not discriminate against anyone because of race, gender, age, faith group, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • respect the integrity and welfare of those served or supervised, refraining from disparagement and avoiding emotional exploitation, sexual exploitation, or any other kind of exploitation.  
  • approach the religious convictions of a person or group with respect and sensitivity; avoid the  imposition of their theology or cultural values on those served.  
  • respect confidentiality to the extent permitted by law, regulations or other applicable rules.  
  • follow nationally established guidelines in the design of research involving human subjects and gain approval from a recognized institutional review board before conducting such research.