Considering Student Ministers Process and Limitations

Part of When Ministers Are Hard to Find

String art chalice made in worship service

In situations where a UUA Fellowshipped minister cannot be found, UUA staff will work with a congregation to see if there might be local student ministers who are interested, eligible and available. Because there is a strict system of accountability, congregations should not contact potential non-fellowshipped candidates.

Before a Student Minister Can Apply

  • A student minister can be considered by a congregation only after a search where there was no match with a fellowshipped minister.
  • A student minister must have been granted “candidate” status with Ministerial Fellowship with no constraints to be eligible.
  • There needs to be consultation and agreement between UUA staff to assess any risks before approving an application:
    • UUA Regional Staff is familiar with the congregation’s culture and history, and will have insight into the congregation’s needs and what gifts and skills are needed to serve them well, and how much grace they would extend to a student minister
    • The Ministerial Credentialing Director is best positioned to judge a candidate’s possession of those gifts and skills, and their limitations and growing edges.
  • The student minister will be expected to ask a minister in fellowship to serve as a mentor, and to be in frequent contact with the regional staff.
  • A candidate serving under this arrangement should be able to expect
    compensation equal to at least 90 percent of the UUA-recommended minimum, considering the congregation’s size and wage rate area.
  • Contract ministries with candidates are understood to be time-limited arrangements of one year in length.
  • Candidates who are not ordained are not eligible to receive a housing allowance.

Per the rules of the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee, student candidate for ministry must “defer accepting any ministerial position other than internships
and student ministries unless approved by the Ministerial Credentialing Director. Violation of this policy shall render the candidate ineligible for an interview with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee or Ministerial Fellowship for four years from the commencement of the position.”