Part of A Guide to Transitional Ministry
Is developmental ministry your calling? The search process for developmental 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 developmental 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 Developmental Ministry Search
- December-January: Congregational records available for review
- Early March Deadline: Submit ministerial records to searching developmental congregations.
- Mid-March Deadline: Use the developmental minister’s ranking form (in search calendar) to indicate your preferred congregation(s).
- Late March 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 Developmental 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.
Developmental Ministry Search Calendar for 2026
These are the important dates and milestones for developmental ministry searches, for ministers, search committees, and governing boards.