This Contract Minister Search Guide provides the process and recommendations for ministers interested in full-time or part-time contract ministry positions, and are not designated as either short-term, interim, or developmental ministries.
- Congregations follow the Guide to Contract Ministry overview. It’s helpful for ministers in search to read through the guide to understand the congregation’s process.
- Contract ministry positions are eligible for the Contract to Call process.
- Why are so many ministry positions now contract instead of settled? See Contract vs. Settled: A Sea-Change.
Be sure you are in conversation with the UUA Transitions Team transitions@uua.org about your interest in contract ministry.
Contract Ministry Search Cycles: “Prime Time” and “Open”
“Prime Time” Contract Search Cycle
To avoid confusion and promote fairness, maximum opportunity, and equity, congregations searching for a contract minister are strongly encouraged to publish their search profile between 02 December and 15 February, aligning with the settled search calendar. They evaluate and interview applicants through the third week of March, and submit their rankings and make offers in tandem with the settled search cycle.
“Open” Contract Search Cycle
After 01 April and into the Fall (after which time joining in the “prime time” cycle again becomes possible), congregations and ministers who are in search are not constrained by particular deadlines. See the Contract Search Calendar for details.
Review the Search Covenant
Covenant for Ministerial Search Processes
All searching congregations, searching ministers, and those who assist congregations and ministers in the search process covenant with one another for a fair and responsible search process.
After the Offer Is Made
Offer, Negotiations, and Background Checks for Contract Ministers
The offer is contingent on a successful background check as well as coming to agreement on the specifics of the offer being made.