Human Service & Biblical Standards

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Both the NOHS (1999) and the NASW (2008) offer similar principles of ethical standards for which human service professionals to refer to and abide by. The NOHS (1999) explains that as a human service professional, one will take on many roles such as a “caregiver, case manager, broker, teacher/educator, behavior changer, consultant, outreach professional, mobilizer, advocate, community planner, community change organizer, evaluator and administrator.” The ethical codes are written with these versatile roles in mind and elaborate on one’s responsibility to clients and community, to colleagues, to the profession, to employers, and to one’ self. The list of ethical standards all revolve around central core values consisting of: social justice, dignity and worth all of persons, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW, 2008). In comparing these codes of ethics with Biblical standards, it is easy to draw parallels. The many roles that human services professionals take on are also similar to the roles we take on as Christians. Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV) reminds us to look out for not only our own interests, but also the interests of others. As helping professionals, it is our goal and desire to not only help others but to “teach them to fish” (Martin, 2011). One may not always have the most glamorous position or case assignment, but 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) reminds us to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” As a helping professional you can be proud of the fact that you are fulfilling your call to love another just as Christ loved you (John 13:34, NAS). As a Human Service Professional (HSP), there will be countless times in which one may find oneself in an ethical dilemma, but Romans 12:1-2 9 (NIV) reminds individuals to be “transformed by the renewal

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