Code of conduct for member associations

1. Promoting ethical standards.

Members of ACC-Europe will promote an ethical code for Christian counselling, containing guidelines concerning Christian values and ethical practice in counselling, that will be helpful in making and evaluating ethical decisions, based on biblical-ethical foundation, and taking into account the laws of their country. This code will be both aspirational and enforceable.

2. Respecting other countries.

Members of ACC-Europe accept the statement of faith and the same definition of Christian counselling. They accept however that countries have different cultures, different Church histories, different laws and different needs. These differences are seen as complementary and as an opportunity to learn from each other.

3. Working together towards excellence.

Members of ACC-Europe will make any endeavour necessary to guarantee and maintain the quality of their accreditating system. Therefore:

1. it is their goal to organise accreditation and recognition of courses in such a way that accreditation and recognition is mutual exchangeable between the countries ;

2. members of ACC-Europe will give accredited counsellors of other countries accredited status at the equivalent level in their country.

4. Serving in another culture.

Members of ACC-Europe will challenge the members of their country to be sensitive to other cultures. ACC-members should strictly avoid all activities that harm or reasonably could harm existing ministries in another country. If it is desired that members of ACC from one country engage in activities that enhance the cause of Christ in a different country, they should show respect for the ACC in the country they are to work in by:-

1. communication with the ACC office of a foreign country in which they want to start a ministry, organise a course, etc., with a view to investigate the need of the initiatives in that country ;

2. informing the foreign ACC office when invited to that country for ministry or teaching related to ACC recognition by the local church or a local organisation;

3. not accepting applications for accreditation for membership or accreditation from another country without a specific agreement with the ACC office of the country of residence of the prospective member.

Agreed 14th February 2001