Part of A Guide to Transitional Ministry
Is interim ministry your calling? The search process for interim ministers has a specific process and timing.
Be sure you are in conversation with the UUA Transitions Team transitions@uua.org about your interest in interim ministry.
Get Set Up in the MinistrySearch System
All UUA ministry searches use our MinistrySearch system. You’ll find detailed instructions here:
Process for Ministers in Search
The UUA’s ministry search process is open to UU ministers in Fellowship. Here you’ll find advice that can help you navigate the search process.
Deadlines for the Interim Ministry Search
Highlights for Ministers in Interim Search
- Mid-April: Congregational records available for review
- Late April: Transitional UU Ministers Association chapter meeting
- Early May Deadline: Submit ministerial records to searching interim congregations. Use the preliminary interim minister’s ranking form to indicate your preferred congregation(s).
- Mid-May Deadline: Use the final interim minister’s ranking form to indicate your preferred congregation(s).
- Mid-May Deadline: Offer Day!
Please provide the UUA Transitions Team with rankings at least 48 hours before the offer date. The UUA Transitions Team will confirm all lists and share what is likely to happen on offer date with each search team and minister. See Interim Search Team Discernment for more detail.
Contract negotiations may begin as soon as the offer is accepted.
You may hear from other search teams who want to wish you well in your search, but we don’t recommend
initiating contact.
Interim Ministry Search Calendar
Important dates and milestones for interim ministers, search committees, and governing boards.
Year-Long Transitional Ministry Training
Offered in partnership with the interim Ministry Network, the Year-long Transitions Ministry Training (YLTMT) class provides an innovative learning model for transitional ministries of all types. Interim ministers, developmental ministers, ministers serving a contract with a transitions focus, and settled ministers facing a time of transition in their ministry are invited to register.
- Ministers are not required to take interim ministry training prior to applying to be an interim minister.
- Ministers are expected to complete the initial training once they have been hired to do interim ministry by a congregation.
- The UUA Transitions Team offers one training in conjunction with the Interim Ministry Network each August for ministers new to interim ministry.
- Every interim minister should have a mentor when starting an interim ministry.