onespirit’s code of ethics

Our Code of Ethics at OneSpirit

This Code of Ethics reflects the shared values, commitments and principles that guide our work as a community. At OneSpirit, integrity lies at the heart of everything we do. It is woven into the fabric of our training programmes and the daily practice of our staff, students, and ordained ministers. In our shared journey toward spiritual growth and interfaith understanding, we are collectively dedicated to embodying and promoting a set of core precepts that guide our actions, decisions, and relationships.

This commitment is more than a formal obligation, it is a living, heartfelt aspiration to express the values that OneSpirit stands for in every aspect of our work and our lives. As a community, we are united in upholding ethical conduct, respect, inclusivity, and compassion. These guiding principles act as beacons, illuminating our path as we navigate the complexities of spiritual education and ministry in an ever-evolving world.

To ensure these standards are upheld and continually nurtured, OneSpirit’s Ethics & Standards Committee provides thoughtful oversight and support. The committee includes OneSpirit Supervisors, ROSIM members, faculty, representatives from jurisdictions where our ministers are authorised to perform legal marriages, and lay members from the wider community. Together, this group works to strengthen our collective ethical awareness, offer guidance on professional practice, and hold space for reflection when ethical questions arise. Their work ensures that our foundation remains one of integrity, accountability, and care, a community-led effort built by us, for us, in service of the values we share. If you’d like to learn more or connect with our Ethics & Standards Committee, please get in touch with us here.

You can also explore our wider organisational commitments on our Five Year Strategy page. 

REMEMBERING OUR UNITY, HONOURING OUR UNIQUENESS

We aim to keep our hearts and minds open to everyone, celebrating differences but not separation. We refuse to marginalise people on the basis of age, disability, state of health, race, gender, nationality, religion, sexuality, economic status or any other distinction.

WALKING OUR TALK

We understand the importance of practising what we preach and agree to uphold the ethical and practical principles of the spiritual path we follow. We recognise that all paths emphasise the importance of honesty, respecting self and others, non-stealing and non-harming.

CELEBRATING HONESTY

Knowing that truthfulness brings freedom, we aim to cultivate conscious and clear communication. We aim to speak and listen as truly as we can, being mindful that our words are kind, true and useful.

PROTECTING CLARITY

Since we value purity of awareness, we support each other in exercising maturity over the ingestion of intoxicants or mind-altering substances.

HONOURING PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES

To create a safe space for the opening of our hearts and minds, we aim to be sensitive and respectful in expressing physical affection. Mindful of the power our position as teacher, counsellor or minister may bring, we undertake to refuse absolutely sexual relationships with our students or clients.

REPRESENTING OURSELVES ACCURATELY

Since we strive for integrity, we understand the importance of not misleading others about the services we can offer, and not exaggerating our professional achievements. Further, we commit ourselves to open and just dealings in all of our financial transactions.

MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY

We honour the sacred trust between a spiritual counsellor and a client, and between a minister and the community served, and promise to hold any personal information in confidence within the law. The same applies to our group settings so that a safe space is created for heartfelt sharing.

VALUING SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION

We acknowledge the need for supervision and guidance beyond our years of study with OneSpirit. We commit to regular supervision of our spiritual accompaniment work.

COMMITTED TO CONTINUED AWAKENING

We understand that our spiritual unfolding is an ongoing process, and dedicate ourselves to continually deepening our personal spiritual practice, so that our service may be grounded in an authentic and evolving spiritual life.

SAFEGUARDING THE WHOLE

We commit, where necessary, to lovingly call to attention, either one-to-one or through our peer group, any issue that may place another in danger or compromise the good reputation of interfaith ministers, however difficult this may seem.