Congregational Discernment Process

Please see Benefits of Developmental Ministry for more detail about readiness and discernment.

Before preparing for a search, the following should be in place:

• Congregational leadership has agreed on appropriate and significant developmental ministry goals with the help of regional staff.
• Congregational leadership has engaged the congregation in reasons for considering developmental ministry and has strong congregational support, e.g. the congregation has voted overwhelmingly in favor of developmental ministry and the stated goals.
• UUA Regional Staff and Transitions Team has approved the congregation’s search for a Developmental Minister. 

Prepare for Any Current Ministerial Transition

See the Congregations in Transition page for information about who to contact—and if necessary—how to end well and prepare for the UUA’s exit interviews.

Your governing board should examine your congregation’s bylaws to see how ministry search is presented to ensure a smooth transitional ministry search process. If the board perceives a misalignment between the requirements of the bylaws and UUA process (if the congregation must vote on a transitional ministry, for example), please reach out to the Congregational Transitions Director as soon as possible.

Review the Developmental Ministry Search Calendar

Developmental Ministry Search Calendar for 2026

From LeaderLab

These are the important dates and milestones for developmental ministry searches, for ministers, search committees, and governing boards.

Developmental Calendar

Select the Developmental Ministry Search Committee

This interim search team is usually a task force of the board.

• 3-5 members who are trusted by the full board. The team may include board members.
• Members can engage in a fast-moving process that plays out in mid March.

Staff members are not eligible to serve on search teams.

Prepare the Materials Supporting the Search

The search team needs to have the following materials ready for the Congregational Record that will be posted in MinistrySearch, some of which need board approval. Other leaders can help gather various materials for the search.

• Draft Ministerial Agreement includes:
  • Minimum Salary & Housing Allowance
• UUA Compensation Worksheet clarifies the total cost of ministry to the congregation, and the salary/housing and benefits being offered to the minister.
• The “Search Packet” contains key documents and information available to prospective ministers.

Note: Plan to compensate your Developmental Minister toward the high end of the salary range. Highly-skilled ministers expect to be compensated accordingly, well-above the midpoint.

Once the Developmental Ministry Begins

The new minister, leadership, and regional staff should plan for a new ministry start-up to help align expectations and begin the early stages of planning for the developmental work ahead. Congregational leaders should be patient as developmental ministers do the early work of getting to know the congregational system and building trust and relationships. You have important work to do together! The work is easier once a baseline of trust and care is
established.

What Happens After the Developmental Ministry?

In most cases, in the last year of the developmental ministry, the congregation conducts a settled ministry search.