Ministerial Residency - Resident

To be considered for a Ministerial Residency, you must first seek approval from the Ministerial Credentialing Director (MCD). The resident serves at a pre-approved congregation for a non-renewable one-year term. Acceptance into the ministerial residency program does not guarantee that a residency site will be available.

Qualifications for Ministerial Resident

To be considered for a Ministerial Residency, you must

  1. Be in Candidate Status in the UUA Credentialing system
  2. Have completed at least one unit of CPE.
  3. Have completed an Internship before the commencement of the residency.
  4. Be a UUMA member
  5. Be an active participant in the MFN (e.g., has a Vocational Advisor, attends retreats, etc.)
  6. Able to commit to the full year residency

The following support systems are beneficial but not required:

  • Mentoring relationships beyond the MFN
  • Spiritual Direction
  • Counselor/therapist

Expectations of Ministerial Resident

Candidates who apply to become a ministerial resident commit to:

  • Following the UUMA Code of Conduct and UUA Search processes. This includes not appearing in a professional capacity at a congregation in search. See MFC Rule 17 for additional information. Inside Candidates will not be considered by congregations offering a ministerial residency.
  • Speak with a Regional Lead about potential congregations. Note: The MCD will be sharing information about approved ministerial candidates with appropriate regional staff.
  • Speak to the Primary Contact of the congregation where you interview.
  • Finish the year long residency unless unforeseen personal circumstances arise.
  • Work with the MCD to find and approve a suitable Supervisor with whom you can develop a trusting relationship to receive feedback and direction, as needed.
  • Refrain from speaking directly to congregations in Search about the potential of hiring someone like yourself.

During the residency year, the Ministerial Resident commits to participate in:

  • Weekly supervision meetings
  • A monthly meeting between the resident, supervisor and their regional contact.
  • The Year-long Transitions Ministry Training
  • A Ministerial Formation Network (MFN) cohort group.
  • A required Exit interview at the end of the residency.

Ministerial residents are expected to complete the residency unless personal circumstances arise. It would be unprofessional and damage trust with congregations if ministerial residents receive preliminary fellowship and leave mid-residency.

Application Process

Contact the Ministerial Credentialing Director about your interest in a ministerial residency.

To be considered for a residency, submit:

  1. Final CPE evaluation forms (supervisor and self)
  2. Final evaluations from the internship. If your internship is not complete at the time of application, submit your mid-term evaluation and approval from your internship supervisor (internship final evaluations must be submitted before residency can begin).
  3. 1-page essay on why you feel you are ready for a ministerial residency
  4. Letter of Support from at least two of the following UUA-related sources. The letter of support is to address their support for you doing a residency, and why they feel that you are ready. 
    • UUMA Vocational Advisor
    • Fully Fellowshipped Mentor who is a member of the UUMA
    • Fully Fellowshipped Colleague from your UUMA Chapter