Offer and Background Checks for Contract Ministers

Part of A Guide to Transitional Ministry

When you make an offer to a minister, it is contingent on a successful background check as well as coming to agreement on the specific compensation (salary+housing) for the offer being made.

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Background Checks

Completing a successful background check of the minister is one of the first priorities after extending an offer.

While you can use any company you wish to complete a background check, the UUA has partnerships with:

Benefits

For guidance and support about all of the benefits to include in your ministerial agreement, see:

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UUA Benefit Recommendations

By Jan Gartner

From LeaderLab
<p>This page provides benefits process guidance as well as recommended benefit levels. When providing benefits for your employees, both “how” (process) and “how much” (levels) are key to putting Unitarian Universalist values into action. Includes important reminders specific to UUA benefits.</p>

UUA Benefit Recommendations

Relocation

  • The recommended reimbursement for relocation expenses is 10% of salary+housing, up to $10,000.
  • Relocation expenses are considered taxable income by the US government, so the congregation is encouraged to consider ways offset the additional tax burden.
  • A congregation located in the United States that considers hiring or calling a minister who is not a U.S. citizen should make sure their congregation has its own 501c3 status. Please contact the UUA Transitions Team for more information.
  • (For ministers who are U.S. citizens and are considering moving to and serving in a Canadian congregation, a document with considerations for religious professionals moving to Canada exists. Please ask the UUA Transitions Team for more information.)

When the Minister Commutes from a Long Distance

Some part-time contract ministries are filled by ministers who commute from some distance. In these cases, the minister and congregation should work together to create a reasonable schedule for when the minister is in the area and considerations for lodging as needed. (Lodging with a congregant is not an option.)