**3 DB Replies 150 words each** need to have a Bible reference in each reply
**Must use the student name ***so I know which DB replies belongs to which student.
*(1 Sam*) The National Organization for Human Services adopted ethical standards in 2015. (Burke, 2015). They include a Preamble and seven different subject areas: (1) Responsibility to Clients; (2) Responsibility to Colleagues; (3) Responsibility to the Profession; (4) Responsibility to the Public and Society; (5) Responsibility to Employers; (6) Responsibility to Self; and (7) Responsibility to Students. (Burke, 2015). Each subject area imposes duties on members of the National Organization for Human Services, students in relevant academic degree programs, faculty in those same programs, researchers, administrators, and professionals that identify with the profession of human services. (Burke, 2015). In comparison, there are also several biblical standards that Christians are expected to follow as detailed in Scripture.
(1) Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (ESV).
(2) Romans 15:1-2 “We who are strong have an obligation to bear the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. (ESV).
(3) Colossians 3:12-14 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
(4) James 2:1 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (ESV).
(5) John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you , you also are to love one another.” (ESV).
While human services professionals owe duties of confidentiality, informed consent, safety, and professionalism to their clients. (Burke, 2015). They also have a duty to follow local, state, and federal laws, remain aware of social issues affecting their communities, and be cognizant of the demographic they are servicing. (Burke, 2015). However, biblical standards simply call for love, compassion and forgiveness. These two standards may seem facially different, but in reality they really aim for the same goal. Loving on people and lifting them up is literally what human services professionals are called to do. If biblical standards are the broad, general commands of God, then the ethical standards imposed on human services professionals are the specific, detailed breakdowns of that command relative to the society we live in.
Burke, A. (2015). Ethical Standards for HS Professionals. Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
(*2 Ann*)
According to Martin (2018), ethical standards concern conduct in observing the rules or standards of strict conduct, principally the standards of a profession.Those who work in the human services fields are obligated to uphold ethical standards. These ethical standards include the constitutional values of the human services profession consisting of honoring the significance and wellbeing of all humans; encouraging self-determination; respecting cultural distinction; upholding social justice; and acting with honor, truthfulness, genuineness and impartiality. These ethics are considered when making decisions in the human services fields. Although these are not codes of legality, they are used in handling matters concerning the human services professional (Barrett, 2020).
Philippians 2:4 “ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Luke 6:31 “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Romans 12:9-10 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.”
1 Peter 3:8 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit.” These scriptures show how we should treat and care for one another in the human services field, but especially as Christians.
The similarities of the ethical standards in human services and biblical standards are that the bible gives standards on how one should conduct themselves, the human services code of ethics does as well. Both give guidelines as to moral character, principles, how to behave, beliefs, values and rules of conduct.
The bible goes further, to emulate Jesus in our actions. When in a profession or working field, the ethical standards pertain to what is right or wrong when it comes to our occupation. In Christian ethics, it is about doing what is right according to Christian beliefs no matter what the situation. Human services encourage clients to be autonomous, whereas Christianity encourages looking to Christ for guidance.
References
Barrett, S. (2020). Publications.Nationalhumanservices.org. Retrieved 9 June 2020, from https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/publications.
Martin, M. (2018). Introduction to Human Services: Through the eyes of practice settings. 4th .
Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
(*3 Chris *) Ethical and Biblical Standards
In order to help others function at a higher level in life, ethical standards must be in place. The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS), provides a set of 44 ethical standards within seven categories for human service professionals. Along with ethical standards, as a devoted Christian, it is important to live according to biblical beliefs. The bible provides a plethora of scriptures that guides human service providers with biblical insight for personal and professional guidance.
Many found scriptures parallels with the ethical standards provided by the NOHS. “Do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interests of other,” mirrors the preamble description to appreciate the diversity of humans (Amplified, 1954/2017, Philippians 2:4).
When serving a diverse population, partiality is excluded from practice. The tenth standard of the NOHS clearly states, “provide services without discrimination or preference in regard to age, ethnicity, culture, race, ability, gender, language preference, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or other historically oppressed groups” (National Organization for Human Services, 2015). In Christianity this means, “do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality” (Amplified, 1954/2017, James 2:1).
To serve the unjust, human service providers are to be the voice for the oppressed and social injustice. This 16th standard correlates with the belief coming from Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do good. Seek justice, rebuke the ruthless, defend the fatherless, plead the [rights of the] widow [in court]” (Amplified, 1954/2017).
As time passes, our society continues to change, and it is wise to continue our knowledge in an ever changing world. This is not a new concept because Christians are given insight in the book of Proverbs 1:5, “The wise will hear and increase their learning (Amplified, 1954/2017). Standard 30 and 36 describe the importance of serving clients at our best by attaining up-to-date education and skills.
It almost seems as if all of the NOHS standards are congruent to biblical principles to their entirety. However, standard 34 seems to go against a verse in 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy 6:3 basically says that if person instructs different doctrine, then that person is “conceited and woefully ignorant” (Amplified, 1954/2017). The NOHS 34th standard reminds human service providers to always be aware of their beliefs and the capabilities of affecting the clients. It goes on to say, “to provide culturally competent services to all clients” (National Organization for Human Services, 2015). Cultural competencies include religious beliefs. The friction between the scripture and the standard is that, human services professional may not agree with all religious doctrine. Even with knowing that human service providers are accepting of all humans, for some, this my posit as an internal challenge with their spiritual walk.
As a Christian, it is refreshing to know that the ethical standards of human services were created in a way that reflects biblical principles. A great reminder is that Jesus is no respecter of person. As willing vessels of Jesus Christ, we are to serve, even when it may seem challenging.
Amplified Study Bible. (2017). Zondervan.(Original work published 1954)
(2015). National Organization for Human Services. https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
