Search Considerations for Ministers

Part of Process and Considerations for Ministers in Search

A view of wooden church pews, and the church narthex, from the pulpit. The pulpit holds a piece of sheet music and a microphone.

Here are some considerations and resources as you begin to work on your search profile and discern your potential match with the congregations in search in the MinistrySearch system:

For Your Ministerial Record and Other Materials

  • How do your articulate your ministry gifts, skills, and particular interests? How do you hope to engage them in a congregational setting?
  • What is the story you are telling about yourself? What are you emphasizing, (e.g. education, experience, skills, authority, shared ministry, warmth, compassion, etc)?
  • Search teams want to see videos of your sermons and get a sense of you as a potential minister. How will you present additional information? Do you have a website, or will you supply a curated list of links?
  • What will a search engine inquiry reveal about you?

When Looking at Congregations in Search

  • What will help you thrive in a congregational setting?
  • What would make ministry challenging or undesirable for you in a congregational setting?
  • How will you determine if a congregation has these traits?
  • Does this congregation offer all the benefits you and your family will need?
  • Does the congregation offer adequate time off and study leave?
  • In the congregations MinistrySearch listing, refer to “Information about the draft ministerial agreement in the Position Basics section, where the congregation needs to identify any deviations from the UUA/UUMA recommended model agreement.

Your Congregational Research

You will want to do your own due diligence when considering serving a particular congregation, including:

  • Contact the UUA Congregational Life Staff listed in the congregation’s search profile. They expect to hear from prospective candidates and will be a good discernment partner for you, since they have a “big picture” view of the congregation’s needs, history, and context.
  • Contact other ministers connected with the congregation in questions. Their insights can add to your impressions as you determine whether there would be a good alignment between your ministry style/gifts and the needs of the congregation:
    • The departing or most recent senior minister
    • The interim or other transitional minister
    • Another previous minister
    • Another minister on staff or who is affiliated or retired

When Considering Geographic Location

  • What does your family need to thrive?
  • If you hold (or a family member holds) a targeted identity, does the state provide protection that will help? Will you and they feel safe?
  • Will your spouse need a job if you relocate? How are job searches in their field near this congregation?
  • Do you need a school system for your child that can meet specific needs?
  • Geographically, where do you have emotional support? Will a ministry opportunity place you close to family, friends, and/or colleagues?
  • What do you know about the culture in areas you are considering? How comfortable are you in navigating this culture?
  • How will the cost of living in an area impact the spending power of your salary? (Also see Congregational Salary Program.)
    • What does housing cost near the congregation? How is the market?
      • Once you have applied, you can ask the search team to help you find information or a local contact who can answer your questions.
      • Rental market trends and listings by city or zip code (Zillow)

UUA Transitions Team and UUMA Support

Transitional (Interim & Developmental) Ministry

For support on transitions ministry searches (those with a defined term which will not lead to a call), reach out to Rev. Patrice K. Curtis (“PK”), Transformational Interim Ministries Director (pcurtis@uua.org). They are here to support you in conversation, offer specialized training, and help you to find the resources you need.

Settled & Contract-to-Call Ministry

For ministries without defined term limits, and for those which may lead to a call, please contact Rev. Eric Kaminetzky, Interim Settled Ministries Director: ekaminetzky@uua.org.

Questions or Concerns About a Congregation

If there is a piece of information you wish you had about a congregation before deciding whether to apply, please reach out to Christine Purcell, the Congregational Transitions Director. If she doesn’t know the answer she will get it for you: cpurcell@uua.org.

Please contact her, as well, if a search team behaves in an irregular way in their interactions with you.

Contract Advice & Negotiation Support

For contract advice and negotiation support, contact the UU Ministers Association Good Officers with the contract and call specialty. (You must be a UUMA member and logged in.)