When a congregation is searching for a settled minister, sometimes ministers known to the congregation express interest in the open position. Such applicants require special and intentional consideration before opening the search to external candidates, in fairness to all parties. The Ministerial Fellowship Committee rules and UUA Transitions Team policy both require that the congregation us an inside candidate process in the following situations where the applicant minister:
- is a member of the congregation
OR
- is already a staff member, perhaps in a second minister role
OR
- is an affiliated community minister of the congregation
OR
- has visited or served the congregation in a professional capacity (i.e. preaching, teaching, pastoral care) since the announcement of the departure of the most recent settled minister, without an MFC waiver to apply in the regular search process.
If there is more than one inside candidate possibility, the search team and/or governing board should reach out to the UUA Transitions Team.
Search Process Modifications for Inside Candidates
A settled search process that includes consideration of an inside candidate has a few modifications. If possible, the process should be kept confidential from the congregation until the search team has decided to announce the person as their choice as the final candidate. Consult with UUA staff in situations where confidentiality is compromised or without a waiver to apply in the regular search process has complications.
Timing for Inside Candidates
Before Considering an Inside Candidate
The following phases and tasks of the search process are complete before the search team considers a potential inside candidate:
- Phases 1 and 2 of the search process are complete, in particular:
- the selection and election of the search team.
- Phase 3 is complete, in particular
- congregational discernment work, such as surveys, cottage meetings, etc. that help identify what the ministry needs of the congregation are
- the MinistrySearch congregational profile, along with all accompanying documents and support materials required for the search
- the congregational profile has been reviewed and approved by UUA staff
At this point, but before the search is open to external candidates, the search team must consider whether or not they will consider an inside candidate (if there is one) based on the potential match between the needs of the congregation and the gifts and skills of the minister.
Considering Candidates from Within the Congregation
If the search team has identified (or been approached by) a minister who is a member, an affiliated community minister, or serves in another staff role, that may be considered, the team should have a good idea of both ministry needs (based on their work so far) and the gifts and skills of minister. See Changing to a Senior Minister Role for more information.
If the search team decides the minister is a viable inside candidate, they can proceed with the inside candidate process. If not, they should inform the minister of their decision to proceed with an external search.
Considering Known Candidates Who Have Recently Visited or Served
If the search team has identified (or been approached by) a minister who has visited or served the congregation in a professional capacity (i.e. preaching, teaching, pastoral care) since the announcement of the departure of the most recent settled minister, the search team may want to set up an exploratory interview with the minister to see if they want to consider the minister as an inside candidate before opening the search to external candidates. (Once the search is open, the minister would not be eligible to apply.)
If the search team decides the minister is a viable inside candidate, they can proceed with the inside candidate process. If not, they should inform the minister of their decision to proceed with an external search.
Share Information Using the MinistrySearch system
Once the search team has decided to go forward with the inside candidate, they should contact the UUA Transitions team to share the congregational record with the candidate and be given access to the candidate’s ministerial record. After studying each other’s records and packets, they can schedule an interview.
Pre-Candidating Weekend
If the interview goes well and both parties want to move forward, the search team plans and schedules a pre-candidating weekend. If that goes well, the search team may vote to choose the person as their final candidate and present their choice to the congregation.
Candidating Week and Vote
The search committee proceeds with candidating week, scheduled as soon as possible with a congregational vote and—if successful—the subsequent follow-up tasks.
If there is not enough support for the inside candidate to be called (whether or not a vote is taken), the search team and the board should discuss what should happen next with regional staff and the UUA Transitions Team. (After a congregation-wide disappointment, it may not be advisable to move back into a search process.)
Related Articles
Eligibility for Search and Inside Candidates
The MinistrySearch system is open to UU ministers in Fellowship (and in good standing) with the UUA. All ministers are encouraged to be members of the UUMA, but must follow the ethical guidelines of the UUMA whether they are a member or not.
Inside Candidate Process for Contract Ministry
When a familiar minister is interested in applying to an open parish minister position, the congregation must follow a particular process.