Commissioned Lay Ministers are commissioned for a three-year period. During that three-year period the CLM liaison will check-in with CLM annually via phone, text or email. It is the CLM’s responsibility to respond in a timely fashion.

CLMs should also if they are able:

• Attend CLM retreats.
• Participate in CLM peer groups
• The Minister and the CLM should reinforce the role or focus area of the CLM to the congregation.
• Meet regularly with the minister or covenant partner.
• Keep and submit expense reports to the congregational board.

When issues arrive for a CLM, the CLM should speak first with their minister or covenant partner and if needed, then the CLM Council.

During their tenure, CLMs may be asked to perform rites of passage, to preach at other congregations or to provide workshops outside of guidelines of their letter of agreement. This Guidelines to Fees Document (PDF) recommends what a CLM should be paid for these events and is based off the UUMA’s Guidelines for Professional Fees.

One-month prior to the expiration of the three-year commission, the CLM will complete and return the required renewal forms to the council. The required forms are:

• The CLM Renewal of Commission Application Form
• The Congregation/CLM Renewal of Commission Agreement
• An updated covenant with the minister, if there is one, or covenant partner

(Please note the section in the CLM instructions concerning Ministerial Transition and review of the agreement.)

Re-commissioning depends on the continuance of a satisfactory relationship of both performance and expectations between the CLM and the congregation and between the CLM and the senior minister (if there is one) or the covenant partner. The renewal process requires, first, that the congregation and minister affirm their desire to continue in relationship with the CLM and, second, that the CLM, the congregation, and the senior minister once again specify in writing the exact nature of the CLM’s duties.

Once the renewal materials are received by the CLM Council, the council will consider the application at the next scheduled meeting and inform the CLM and the congregation’s Board of the decision.

There are times when the Council may wish to meet with CLMs as part of their recommissioning application. These include, but are not limited to, Ministerial transitions, change of focus area, high-level conflict within the congregation, or a CLM who has not responded to their liaison.

The CLM Council extends no exceptions to the requirement for three-year renewal and bestows no permanent status or honorific titles. Anyone who lets a CLM agreement or commissioning expire for a period of one year or less can renew his or her commissioned status by re-establishing a new Agreement with the congregation and having that agreement approved by the CLM Council. Beyond one year after expiration of the commissioned status, the council may require an additional interview.

Download the Re-Commissioning Documents (Word), (PDF)