Interim ministry is a calling that is remarkedly different than settled ministry in that it is a time of transition and transformation.

Although each ministry is unique, there is a common shape to interim ministries that involve both the minister and the congregational leadership.

An offer to a minister is contingent on a successful background check as well as coming to agreement on the specific compensation (salary+housing) for the offer being made.

When the interim search team receives applicants, there is a short window to review and sort though information, check references, and do research.

Along with background checks, interviewing the references provided and due diligence research are essential to finding a good match for your open position.

The Compensation Worksheet helps determine the total anticipated cost of salary and benefits to the congregation for an individual employee.

We offer this quick guide for search committees, but encourage the congregation to circle back to the salary guide and the values-based Job Level Rubric.

This document communicates important details about your ministry position. It needs to be approved by the governing board before posting it.

A quick reference listing the information and questions that are part of the congregational record (CR) in the UUA’s MinistrySearch system.

Along with your MinistrySearch record, your congregation will also want to make some key documents and information available to prospective ministers.

Creating a congregational record is a key part of any ministerial search process, whether transitional or settled.

This guide will help your search team to find an interim minister who will prepare you for your next settled ministry.

Important dates and milestones for interim ministers, search committees, and governing boards.

Information needed by the church's governing board, other leaders, and potential search committee members.

Interim ministry provides time and space to work through the emotional dynamics of loss and change so that the next settled ministry can have a good start.

An option for under-resourced congregations, those who could not find a match in the settled search process, and for part-time searches.

An option for congregations with a recurrent short ministries, chronic conflict, or needing other systemic and/or transformational work.

Interim ministry is a transitional ministry designed to help a congregation between settled ministries.

All searching congregations, searching ministers, and those who assist congregations and ministers in the search process covenant with one another for a fair and responsible search process.

After a negotiated or conflicted ministry ending, congregations are held in special care by UUA staff. Regional staff and the UUA Transitions Team will work with the congregation's leaders to reflect on what led to the troubled ending and what is needed, before making plans to move forward.