Our Association's settled ministry search process can seem long and complex. A lot happens between the announcement that a minister is leaving and the beginning of a new ministry! Year after year, we see that good process yields better ministry matches. We update our Settlement Handbook at least once a year with the best guidance we can offer based on all we learn from each search cycle.

Important links/forms for each phase of search are included on this page and in the Appendix of the PDF document.

The Settlement Handbook (PDF) (updated 02/2024 with minor changes which will not affect the 2024 search, full update for 2025 coming this spring)

Important Links

• Board Checklist for the Settled Search (PDF)
• UUMA Guidelines
• Second Ministry Search Handbook (Word)
• Transitions Support for Congregational Staff
• Visual Guide: Search Cycle Newsletter Sign Up for Minister (PDF)

Phase One: Concluding a Ministry Well

• Notice of Ministerial Transition
• Transitional Ministry Handbook (PDF)

Phase Two: Education and Preparation for Search

• Finding a Compensation Consultant
• General Compensation Information
• Request Settled Ministry Search Support
• Ministerial Website Template
• Visual Guide: Initiating a Search & Logging into the Ministry Search System (PDF)

Phase Three: Building the Structure to Search

• Congregational Covenant (PDF)
• Ministerial Covenant (PDF)
• Congregational Survey (PDF)
• Beyond Categorical Thinking Program Information
• BCT Request Form (Word)
• Blank Congregational Record (PDF)
• Blank Ministerial Record (PDF)
• Visual Guide: Steps to Completing the Congregational Record (PDF)
• Visual Guide: Sharing Files Confidentially via Google Docs and Dropbox (PDF)
• Joint UUA/UUMA Recommended Ministerial Agreement for Solo/Senior Ministries (Word)
• Contract Change Form (Word)
• Compensation Worksheet (Excel)
• Sample Interview Questions for Search Committees and Ministers (xls)
• Government Reimbursement Rates for Mileage
• Clergy Moving Resource from Maj-Britt Johnson
• Congregational Online Voting Resource
• Theme-Based Candidating Week Model (PDF)
• A Guide to Process Observation (from UU Regional Lead Rev. Dr. Ian Evison) (PDF)
• Geo Index Listing 2021-2022 (PDF)

Phase Four: Opening Up for the Search

• Visual Guide: Completing the Ministerial Record and Expressing Interest in Congregations (PDF)

Phase Five: Discernment and Mutual Selection

• Visual Guide: Release of Ministers’ Names (PDF)

Phase Six: Finalizing the Offer

• Responsible Staffing
• Oxford Document Management Company (background checks)
• Church Mutual Insurance Company (background checks)

Phase Seven: Entering into a New Ministry

• Notice of Ministerial Call
• Ordinations and Installations