The Renewal Process
Like most credentialing agencies, the Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) requires that all ministers go through a probationary period before receiving Final Fellowship. This is typically a three to nine year year process involving the submission of evaluations by the minister and their review by the MFC.
Ministers enter the renewal process once they begin their first settlement. It is important that the date the position began, the title of the position, and the location of the settlement be communicated to the Settlement Director in the Ministry Department as soon as this information is known by the minister. This communication is especially important in instances when the Settlement Office is not used to obtain settlement. Direct and speedy communication with the Ministry and Professional Leadership ensures that the Department keeps accurate records of when an individual is due to be evaluated.
According to the MFC rules (PDF), a settlement may count toward the renewal process if it is at least half-time, and if the duties required by the position count as ministry as it is defined in the rules. Ministers who do not meet these requirements may petition the MFC for a waiver due to unusual circumstances. All non-church based ministries must be evaluated by the MFC as to whether they can count as ministries (see the MFC rules concerning this topic and contact the Director of the Ministry and Professional Leadership.)
Once a minister is settled the Ministerial Fellowship Committee places the minister in one of the three renewal periods. Approximately one year from the minister's renewal period, the minister's settlement will be considered for his or her First Renewal of Preliminary Fellowship. The Ministerial Fellowship Committee Assistant sends out evaluation forms to each minister due to be evaluated for the first renewal of fellowship. (see schedule below) These forms are due approximately a month and a half before the MFC is scheduled to meet. It is the minister's responsibility (via contacting his or her evaluators or the Department) to see that all evaluation forms have been returned by the deadline, and to make sure that all the parts of the renewal, the signed mentor form, development agreement, an evaluation from the Governing Board or Supervisory Board or Supervisor, an evaluation from the Committee on Ministry, and a self-evaluation are sent together and complete to the Ministerial Fellowship Committee Assistant. Once the forms are returned, they are forwarded to the MFC which considers the minister for renewal.
In reviewing the evaluation forms, the MFC may choose to pass an individual for that renewal, or may choose to continue the individual in present status (CPS). This means that the minister stays at the same renewal level for another year and is reevaluated after that time.
If the minister receives his or her First Renewal, and continues to be settled for at least another year, then he or she may be considered for Second Renewal. If Second Renewal is granted after that year, and the minister remains settled for at least another year, then he or she may be evaluated for Final Renewal. If the Final Renewal is granted, the minister enters Full Final Fellowship and ceases participation in the renewal process.
Once settled, each minister is required to choose a mentor. Mentors must be ministers in Full Final Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The mentor/mentee relationship is reported annually to the MFC by the mentee, via a form which is available from the Ministry and Professional Leadership as are the blank evaluations. No other report is necessary from the mentor.
If a minister ceases to be settled before a year has been completed, that year does not count toward a renewal. If a minister chooses to serve in more than one interim ministry during the course of his or her renewals, only one of these interims will count towards renewals. In addition, no one is allowed to remain in any one renewal period for more than three years without a waiver from the MFC.
Other restrictions and instructions for the renewal process may be found in the MFC Rules (a section of which appears below.)
From the MFC Rules
13. PRELIMINARY FELLOWSHIP
When the Committee determines that the candidate is qualified to pursue Ministerial Fellowship, the Committee shall grant the candidate Preliminary Fellowship status.
A. RENEWAL OF FELLOWSHIP
A person in Preliminary Fellowship shall be reviewed approximately every year from the date of hire or call. To be eligible for review, the minister must be engaged in compensated ministerial activities which constitute fifty-percent or more of a typical work schedule. This requirement may, at the Committee's discretion, be waived when it determines that the ministerial service is substantial enough to warrant eligibility for review.
B. RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
Each renewal review must include the following:
- A self-evaluation
- An evaluation completed by one’s supervisor or supervising committee (i.e. Board of Trustees, supervising minister, supervisor, etc. In ministries where one does not have a supervisor, a supervisory committee or relationship must be established for the purpose of evaluation.)
- An evaluation from one’s Committee on Ministry. For community-based ministers, all Committees on Ministry must include members of a congregation and appropriate representation from the institution or agency being served by the minister. If the minister is not employed by an institution or agency, then composition of the Committee on Ministry must be approved by the Ministerial Development Director.
- A professional development plan
- A form completed by the minister’s mentor confirming that the minister is in a mentoring relationship.
- A letter from a congregation stating that the minister has affiliated with that congregation (community ministers only.)
Following any review, Preliminary Fellowship may be renewed, continued in present status, terminated or a determination made to move the candidate to Final Fellowship.
C. RENEWAL PERIOD
No person in Preliminary Fellowship shall remain in any one renewal period for more than three years without a waiver from the Committee.
D. COMMUNITY MINISTRY RENEWALS
All ministers serving community settings must during Preliminary Fellowship receive affiliation with a UUA or CUC [Canadian Unitarian Council] member congregation. Affiliation involves a formal connection to a congregation and recognition of the community minister as performing a ministry. Affiliation should include a vote of the Board and having a covenanted relationship with the congregation’s minister(s), if there is one.
There shall be no more than two approved renewals before the decision on Final Fellowship is made. Those persons settled in one ministry with Preliminary Fellowship in more than one ministry may retain Preliminary Fellowship in the ministry for which they are not settled until such time as settlement occurs. For purposes of renewal of Preliminary Fellowship, only one interim ministry, whether for one or two years, can be counted toward such renewal.
Community Ministers are required to develop a Committee on Ministry composed of a minimum of five people. The Ministerial Fellowship Committee prefers that three members of this committee be from Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations, taken from a list prepared by the Community Minister, to represent the appropriate local UU congregations, area councils, and/or district boards served by the Community Minister. Others on the committee will represent the minister's ministry within the community. This committee's responsibilities include:
- Offering support and guidance in visioning this ministry
- Completing MFC evaluations as required
- Receiving on-going reports of the minister's work
- Ensuring that the Community Minister, where appropriate, maintains membership in at least one certifying professional association.
Dates for Renewals
- For renewals reviewed by the MFC in September, evaluation
reminders will be sent to you in April/May and are due
back at the UUA by August 15*.
- For renewals reviewed in December, reminders will be sent
in September and are due back by October
15*.
- For renewals reviewed in March, reminders will be sent in October and are due back by February 15*.
* These are approximate dates and they may change.
Most ministers are settled around the beginning of September. This means that the Committee and the Ministry and Professional Leadership handle approximately 90 renewal packets each September. This is a lengthy process and it may take a couple of weeks for the Ministry and Professional Leadership to notify you of the result of your renewal. Phone calls for results are accepted, but discouraged. We thank you for your patience.
For more information contact mfcassistant @ uua.org.
Last updated on Monday, March 17, 2008.
