FOR LAY CHRISTIAN HELPERS
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10).
The above verse expresses the cardinal values and core rules of the lay Christian helper.
THE LAY CHRISTIAN HELPER:
He or she is NOT a professional counselor / or Pastoral Counselor, is NOT a licensed therapist, and does NOT provide professional counseling or psychotherapy, but only time-limited Christian lay helping ministry under supervision of one of the FMP instructors.
FMP CODE OF ETHICS:
Maintain people’s confidentiality to the fullest that include all verbal, written, or electronic communications arising within the helping relationship.
Do not engage in any form of sexual misconduct.
The FMP is a Coptic Orthodox program. Any teaching or intervention in counseling that conflicts with the teaching of the Bible, the Church, or the Church tradition is not acceptable and could result in dismissal from this service.
The lay Christian helpers as well must sign a letter affirming unquestionable adherence to the principals and teachings of the Coptic Orthodox and this code of ethics.
All graduated Christian lay helpers must attend 6 credit hours of continued education in the ministry of Counseling in the Coptic Orthodox Church every two years in order to continue to serve as lay Christian helpers.
All Christian lay helpers who do not have a graduate degree from an accredited institution will be assigned to a licensed or credentialed supervisor and recommended by the bishop.
All formal and informal complaints by any person, servant, or clergy will be addressed immediately.
Do not help beyond your competence, ability or training.
Do not advise regarding medical or psychological treatment, including medications.
Do not administer, interpret or score personality and psychological tests.
Do not, as far as it is possible with you, let your counselees kill or harm themselves or anyone else.
Do not harm, or envy, or look down on, or manipulate, or fight with, or exploit the counselee in any way.
Do not misrepresent your title, position, degrees, or abilities.
Do not recommend divorce.
Do not deny the existence or severity of a psychological or psychosomatic disorder.
Do not. believe that all problems are spiritual or physical with denial of the psychological dimensions.
Love your counselee as our Lord Jesus Christ loves you; fulfill all your obligations, all your moral-ethical-legal duties as a lay Christian helper.
_________________________________
His Grace Bishop Youssef
Name of a lay Christian helper: _________________________
Date: ____________________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________