Searching for a new pastor

Here is a brief overview of the process for churches searching for new pastors, as well as when and how the Conference and its Area Offices can be of help. For detailed information, local church leaders should contact their Area Minister (see the staff directory.)

1. When church leaders learn that their pastor is leaving, they contact their Area Minister to arrange a time for the Area Minister to meet with the Diaconate and other church leadership.

2. The Diaconate meets with Area Minister to work on securing an Interim Pastor and to make plans for a goodbye celebration for the present pastor as well as an exit interview.

3. After the departing pastor has left, a Search Committee is appointed and arrangements are made for the Area Minister to attend the Committee's first meeting to review the search process and materials.

4. The Search Committee oversees a self-study of the church which assesses the needs of the congregation; and the Search Committee completes the "Congregational Profile."

5. The "Congregational Profile" is sent to the Area Minister along with a short listing for the UCC "Pastoral Opportunities" publication which is provided to UCC pastors seeking new positions.* (see important note below)

6. The Search Committee receives candidate profiles from the Conference's Settlement Committee and other profiles sent via the Conference office by the candidates themselves.

7. The Search Committee reviews all candidate profiles and determines whom to interview; and sends likely candidates copies of the "Congregational Profile."

8. Candidates come for interviews at the expense of the church.

9. When the Search Committee finds one or more candidates that it wishes to pursue, references are checked and arrangements are made to see each candidate lead worship in a "neutral pulpit" or in the candidate's present church.

10. The Search Committee conducts second interviews, and unanimously votes to select a candidate to present to the church. The Search Committee informs the Area Minister about the selected candidate and negotiates terms of a call with the candidate.

11. The Search Committee arranges for a candidating weekend when the candidate is presented to the church and the members vote to extend a call to the candidate.

12. Preparations are made to receive the new pastor.

* Please note: Calling clergy without standing in the UCC will jeopardize a local church's property and liability insurance if the church is insured by the Conferences of UCC Insurance Board.