The flexible nature of contract ministry requires a higher level of clarity and communication around the nature of the relationship and articulating the expectations that both minister and congregations, especially in part-time positions.

Considerations in Preparing for a Contract Search

During the traditional search cycle that spans December through the spring, potential minister applicants look at all of the available positions, and will consider contract positions along with the called positions. Ministers usually apply to multiple congregations. Important criteria include:

Geographic Location

• Some ministers are in personal situations where they cannot relocate. Others may need to choose a location where a partner would have the opportunity to find work.
• Cost of living, in particular housing costs, will be considered.
• It can be helpful to work with your regional staff to help get the word out to local UU ministers (including student ministers or retirees, for part time positions).
• Avoid cold-calling local ministers about your position. Using the UUA’s MinistrySearch system is more likely to get interest than just trying to get the word out through other channels. Use of the system is limited to ministers who are cleared for search. Ministers who have lost fellowship, have not been credentialed as Unitarian Universalist, or have misconducted are not eligible to have their names released to search teams.
• If your search team or congregation is in relationship with a minister, it’s fine to invite them to apply through the MinistrySearch system.
• If your congregation is in an area with no nearby UU ministers, be clear about what relocation expenses you are offering.

Draft Agreement and Minimum Compensation

• Pay careful attention to the draft ministerial agreement, and be clear about the expectations that your congregation has for your minister. This is a starting point for the contract negotiations after an offer is made. Being honest and forthcoming can help avoid disappointment.
• Offer a salary+housing and benefit package within UUA recommendations. If you can’t afford the costs, reduce the position to part-time so that you meet the recommendations. Ministers want clarity about what percentage of time they are being asked to serve.

Contract Length

• Contract ministries agreements are often for one year, with the option to renew.
• Congregations hoping for a contract-to-call process might consider offering a 2-3 year initial contract.
• Congregations with interim or developmental ministry goals requiring a longer-term ministry partnership should consider offering a 2-3+ year initial contract.
• There is low risk to the congregation or minister in offering a longer initial contract. The UUA employment agreement include clear, fair terms for ending a ministry partnership earlier, should the need arise.

Timing for Primetime Searches

• Primetime searches begin in December with a late March offer date, and are timed with the settled search calendar, so the search team will have a larger pooler of applicants.
• Primetime congregational search profiles can be published between the beginning of December and March 15.
• Primetime matches continue to be made between ministers and congregations through May. This timing provides the best exposure for your search.

Timing for Open Searches

• Open searches are timed with the interim search cycle, with a mid-to-late May offer date. Open searches can happen in the other three-quarters of the year starting in April, but interest tapers off for the rest of the year.
• Instead of trying to search for a minister in the Fall, when there are few potential applicants, congregations can opt for a short-term contract with a minister. This allows them to begin the contract ministry search in alignment with the main search cycle. Reach out to your Congregational Life staff member or the Congregational Transitions Director can help you determine how best to proceed.
• You can keep your search open until you find a minister, or opt to close your search at any time.

Part-Time Ministries

• Most paid staff in our congregations (including ministers) are employees, not independent contractors, even if they are part-time with limited responsibilities. See Employee or Independent Contractor for more information.
• Congregations should not expect full-time work for part-time pay. Talk with your applicants about equitable and mutually agreeable ways to structure a part time arrangement that fosters good boundaries. 
  Examples:
  • A minister working at 75% could work three weeks on and one week off. Some arrangements have a minister working September-December and then March through May.
  • A minister working at 50% could work every other week, or 2 weeks in a row with 2 weeks off.
• UUA guidelines suggest that a full-time minister is in the pulpit 30-35 Sundays a year, depending on other obligations (such as Christmas Eve). You may apply the percentage of time for the position to that range to determine the number of Sundays for your part-time position, e.g. three-quarter time would be be 22-26 and half-time would be 15-17 Sundays.

When Contract Ministry Can Be Helpful

• A congregation wants a streamlined process that doesn’t strain their capacity
• A congregation wants to be in a ministry partnership for a while before considering a call.
• A congregation needs to rebuild trust in the ministry, and a ministry with a defined term is needed.

Areas of Concern for Contract Ministry

• When expectations do not match what is stated in the search profile or contract.
• When the minister works more than the allotted time contracted with the congregation (e.g. working full-time at half-time compensation).
• When the congregation is intentionally avoiding needed interim work.