Ministerial Search 101 -- Three Rabbit Holes

A twisty maze of passages which way to turn

The main point to remember is that we are an independent self governing body who abides by a covenant, principles, by-laws and a democratic form of governance via the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order and our mission and definition statements.

“Why Does Sugarloaf Exist?” 

Sugarloaf is a spiritual community that asks questions, explores answers, and shares the lessons of life. We celebrate theological and cultural diversity and are united by our caring for humanity and Earth. 

The Mission of Sugarloaf 

Renew the Spirit 

Connect More Deeply 

Inspire Good 

So we use our best judgement, speak, listen, vote, and lather rinse repeat.

Personal interpretation is the hallmark and foundation of democracy.

Communication is key. And with communication we should be able to avoid conflict

Quick overview ...

There are three types of ministers that one can hire.  One joke is all this is like a bird mating dance


but i digress

The most formal is the Called Minister -- a called minister is one the congregation marries "forever with no known end date" like Rev Megan ...

The board forms a ministerial search committee and the ministerial search committee is sworn to secrecy and to find a minister that will be approved by an almost unanimous vote by the congregation...

The main tasks of the ministerial search committee for a called ministerial search outlined in the most sacred of UU text the settlement handbook are ...

• establish a budget (local search is cheaper and faster than a national search)
• survey the congregation on the type of minister they want 
• define what the congregation needs 
• put the congregational record together 
• present to ministers at an online minister & congregation dating site
• select candidates 
• communicate with candidates 
• arrange interviews (if a local search free ish ,.. if a national search airline tickets & hotels)
• arrange third party locations to view a sermon -- neutral pulpit visits 
•  keep the board apprised of what is going on 
• select the one minister candidate 
• negotiate contract terms 
• organize candidate weekend 
• have everyone meet the candidate in different venues of the congregation 
• finalize contract terms 
• organize the congregational meeting for the fait accompli vote
• ish ...

This is usually done after the congregation has been with an interim minister.

We've had three called ministers.  Our first minister Rev Charlie was an exception he was selected by the UUA and the congregation approved.  Rev Amy and Rev Megan were selected by a SCUU ministerial search committee.

The Interim Minister has a little less formal search process but is very formal in the pecking order ...

The Interim Minister is a minister trained in interim-ing. Which means to help the congregation get prepared to do a formal Called Minister search.   The interim minister usually works for one year.  We've had two in our history and both stayed for 2 years.  Rev James and Rev Myron.  An Interim Minister cannot become the Called Minister.

The tasks above get streamlined for an interim minister search as outlined in the Transitional Ministry handbook.

Both of these handbooks carry Sacred Heat. You can feel historical experience going back hundreds of years. The whole point is to avoid awkward situations, tar, feathers and torches.

But these two mating seasons have passed.  The search timeframe for the Called Minister is one year.  The search timeframe for an Interim Minister is four months ish.

Which to emphasize means that due to the timing of Rev Megan's departure (a time of year when official searches were closed) our only choices were either a contract minister or going at least 6 months with no minister at all.

So the board has decided to hunt for a Contract Minister and the process is streamline/simplified even more for a contract minister.  The timeframe for a contract minister search is fast like a bunny -- one to two months -- now ish.

The Contract Minister can do whatever we the board and the congregation decide the contract minister should do and that the contract minister agrees to do  ...

The plan is to be clear about all that -- in a contract.

Also if we want we can pivot too.  We could end up hiring a contract minister have her or him do interim-ish things commit to a year and then extend.  And if we really like her or him convert him or her to a called minister.  A contract minister is pretty free form.  About as "Alice in Wonderland" as you can get.  And we're ok with that.

The board has voted to use the following process to find a Contract Minister ... Each step assumes the candidate has passed the prior step.

1.        An interview is scheduled with candidate and as many BOT members as can attend.
2.        References are called and verified (by BOT volunteers).
3.        A Meet and Greet is scheduled and church leaders and elders and worship committee are invited to attend.  Informal setting to meet and talk with candidate.
4.        BOT makes decision on whether to proceed to an offer and what the offer should be.

 Underpinning all this is the vote the congregation made to increase the Minister's time and pay.

This should be the new rainbow flag

The congregation expects us to move.  We want a minister in place by September.  Minister priorities have already been established.  But the intent is to collaborate to figure out the best way to go.

The board is working with help from the UUA to find a contract minister best suited to move us forward.  We will move carefully down the Contract Minister rabbit hole.