Preparatory Stages
The following outline describes the stages of preparation for Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministry and some of the policies and procedures associated with each stage.
Applicant Status
Applicants are persons who have:
- Contacted the Ministerial Credentialing Office or a Regional Sub-Committee on Candidacy (RSCC) office indicating intent to pursue fellowship as a UU minister.
A record of applicants will be maintained by the local RSCC office.
Aspirant Status
A person in Aspirant Status has submitted the following forms to the Regional Sub-Committee on Candidacy (RSCC) office:
- Initial Inquiry Form (RSCC-1)
- Interview Forms—UU minister and Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) field staff member or designee (RSCC-2)
- Essay on ministerial aspirations and relevant biography (1-2 pages) in which you must say something of who you are and what ministry you feel called to do.
- Transfer/Plural Standing Form, if applicable (MFC-7) The requirements for clergy seeking transfer or plural standing with the UUA are essentially the same as for all other Aspirants. Please note that the Ministerial Fellowship Committee seeks a clear demonstration of motivation and commitment to Unitarian Universalism that is expressed through participation in a UU congregation and/or Unitarian Universalist Minister's Association meetings and/or district meetings. Clergy seeking transfer from another denomination or plural standing must:
- sign a consent form allowing for the release of information to certify status of standing in current or prior denomination.
- submit a letter of reference from a ministerial colleague from current or prior denomination.
- Has been accepted to theological school or has graduated from theological school.
- Has signed the Conviction Disclosure.
Please note: when you have been accepted to a theological school, please contact the appropriate RSCC office.
The RSCC office will open a file for each Aspirant and notify the Ministerial Credentialing Office of a person’s Aspirant Status. Aspirants will be placed on the Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group’s mailing list and will sent the Religious Leader four times a year. Aspirants may subscribe to the student email list, UUMINS2B.
Aspirants may be eligible for a $1000.00 program assistance grant. Full-time students are eligible for reduced registration rates for the UUA General Assembly. Students who are attending theological school at least half time are eligible to apply for UUA general scholarship aid, payable in the second year of school. Incentive grants are available to people of color and from historically marginalized communities in the first year of theological school by contacting the Ministerial Credentialing Office. Persons seeking transfer or plural standing are not eligible for financial aid from the UUA other than the Program Assistance Grant.
Candidate Status
In addition to 1 through 7 above, a Candidate has also:
- Completed an approved career assessment program and released report to the RSCC, Ministerial Credentialing Office and MFC (Report should be mailed to the RSCC only.)
- Completed at least one year of theological education,
- Agreed in writing to abide by the Rules and Policies of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, and
- Agreed in writing to defer accepting any ministerial position other than internships and student ministries unless approved by the Ministerial Credentialing Director. (Violation of this policy shall render the candidate ineligible for interviewing with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee or Ministerial Fellowship for four years from the commencement of the position.)
- Been interviewed and approved for Candidate Status by the RSCC. (Students who were enrolled in theological school prior to July 1, 1999, will have until December 31, 2006, to interview with the MFC without the requirement of an RSCC interview.)
- Obtained the sponsorship of a UU congregation.
At its January 2008 meeting, the UUA Board approved a formal change to the MFC Rules to require background checks for all ministerial candidates. This requirement applies to all current and future candidates. Until the background check process has been completed, ministerial fellowship will only be granted provisionally. Please do not initiate the background check process until your appointment with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee has been confirmed by Christine May, Administrator of the Ministerial Credentialing Office!
In order to protect the integrity of the ministry, in rare instances it may be necessary for the UUA to permanently discourage certain persons from pursuing UU fellowship. Therefore, upon the recommendation of the Ministerial Credentialing Director, the Executive Committee of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee may refuse Candidate status to an individual they deem highly unsuitable for Unitarian Universalist ministry.
A copy of the procedures regarding complaints against candidates for UU ministry is available from the Ministerial Credentialing Office.
For more information contact mco @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, May 2, 2008.
