Ministerial Self-Awareness & Demeanor

Functions in a manner that respects the physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries of others. Articulate ways in which one’s feelings, attitudes, values, and assumptions affect one’s ministerial presence & behavior. Can identify and discuss major life events, relationships, and cultural contexts that influence personal and ministerial identity. Demonstrates professional ministerial demeanor; such as appropriate interpersonal dynamics, appropriate body language, and skillful awareness and handling of emotions during stressful situations.

Religious Understanding & Inclusiveness

Articulates a personal understanding of the Buddhist tradition, demonstrating competent understanding of essential Buddhist concepts, themes, and symbols. Demonstrates respect for different perspectives, beliefs, world-views, and faith orientations. Avoids imposing one’s own convictions, beliefs, opinions, assumptions, projections, or cultural values. Understands different faith communities and spiritual traditions and actively promotes interfaith and multi-faith community.

Religious Teaching & Ceremonial Ministry

Demonstrates competency in the construction and delivery of inspired and relevant discourses that promote personal wholeness and social equality. Demonstrates fluency and elegance in performance of appropriate denominational liturgies and services. Has basic skills and can identify resources for creating and officiating personalized liturgies and rituals such as weddings, memorials, and interfaith events. Demonstrates an ability and eagerness to develop, coordinate, and facilitate/teach public spiritual practices and classes appropriate to diverse settings and needs.

Responsible Leadership

Understands power dynamics and imbalances and exercises ministerial authority appropriately. Respects confidentiality and works to build and maintain trust. Respects the integrity and welfare of all persons, refrains from disparagement, and avoids any and all types of exploitation, including emotional and sexual exploitation. Demonstrates awareness and understanding of how persons, social conditions, systems, and structures affect one’s own life and the lives of others and can skillfully address these issues in ministerial practice. Demonstrates an awareness personal ministerial strengths and proactively addresses ministerial ineptitudes. Shows dependability, reliability, and punctuality in fulfillment of duties and responsibilities. Adheres and abides by denominational and/or a professional code of ethics.

Skillful & Healing Communication

Demonstrates the ability to be present, attentive, and receptive so that the other persons feel understood and valued. Uses inclusive and sensitive language when working with others and is supportive of all individuals and communities. Integrates and embodies Buddhist prescriptions on wholesome and wise speech and communication. Communicate effectively orally and in writing at a professional level.

Ministerial & Interpersonal Dynamics

Able to identify and articulate understanding of group & family system dynamics. Works skillfully with the projections that one receives from others while avoiding projecting one’s own insecurities. Consciously and continuously monitors for personal patterns of defensiveness, and can identify various types and levels of specific defense mechanisms. Recognizes various conditions and manifestations of addictive behaviors and the impact those behaviors have on others.

Self-Care

Ability to attend to one’s own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Possesses and utilizes appropriate coping techniques when triggered by various situations, and specifically ministerial situations. Establishes healthy personal and professional boundaries with self and others. Demonstrates a willingness to seek counsel and assistance when necessary.