MFC Renewal Process: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the requirements for a renewal of preliminary fellowship?
All applications for renewal of fellowship must contain at the very least the following:
- Church Organization Profile
- One evaluation from each of the following sources:
- Governing Board/Supervisor
- Committee on Ministry
- Self
2. What about cover letters and addendums?
The Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) welcomes any supplemental paperwork that might provide further insight into your ministry or to explain any particular circumstances.
3. Should I have the evaluation filled out by the Board or my Supervisor?
The MFC accepts evaluations from either individual supervisors or governing boards provided that the evaluating party is directly involved in a supervisory relationship with the minister.The MFC discourages members of the governing board/supervisors from serving on the Committee on Ministry Evaluation.
4. What should I include in my professional development plan?
A professional development plan should feature a tangible outline of continuing education plans for the coming year. Examples of activities include:
- Anti Racism/Anti Oppression workshops,
- Readings on theology and worship arts,
- Alban course, a minister’s study group,
- Interfaith connections,
- Trainings offered by secular organizations in administration,
- Classes in religious education.
The MFC takes this portion of the renewal application very seriously and expects renewal candidates to be thorough in their outlines. The Committee will look to see that your professional development plan reflects the growth needs identified in your evaluation materials.
5. Where can I go for advice on developing my Professional Development Plan?
The Ministerial Development Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is available to ministers seeking advice on continuing education opportunities. Please contact the Ministerial Development Director (ministerialdevelopment @ uua.org).
6. What span of time should a renewal application cover?
Each renewal evaluation must cover at least a years worth of ministerial work. For most parish-based ministers, this may translate to a Church year (from Sept - June and not including summers). Renewal evaluations based on anything less than a Church year will not be considered for review.
7. When should I expect to receive a decision letter regarding my application for renewal?
Decision letters are typically mailed out 2-4 weeks after the conclusion of an MFC meeting. Ministers are invited to inquire about their decision status beforehand by contacting the MFC Assistant.
8. There are special circumstances in my ministry that might affect my eligibility for renewal. What do I do?
If you find yourself in an unusual situation that effects your ability to apply for a renewal, the first thing you should do is consult with the Ministerial Development Director or the MFC Assistant (mfcassistant @ uua.org) on how best to proceed. In most situations, the MFC is willing to consider waivers of MFC rules on a case by case basis. Waiver forms are available through the MFC Assistant.
9. How long can I remain in any one renewal phase?
A minister has a maximum of three years to complete each renewal.
10. What if I am over the three year limit?
Ministers in preliminary fellowship who have not submitted a renewal application in three years will be considered Out Of Compliance and may have their names forwarded to the MFC for recommendation to be removed from fellowship. However, ministers do have the option of applying for an extension (or waiver of Rule 13C of the MFC rules and policies). Ministers who are granted extensions have an additional three years to submit their renewals. Alternatively, ministers might apply for Inactive Status. Please contact Jory Agate for more information.
11. What is Inactive Status?
Ministers in preliminary fellowship and are not currently engaged in ministry, nor are seeking to be engaged in ministry in the near future should apply for Inactive Status. Ministers in Inactive Status are required to pay $25 annually (Due every 1st of October) to keep their fellowship status with the UUA. Ministers in Inactive Status remain in good standing with the MFC.
12. My decision letter states that my application for renewal was incomplete. Will I have to submit a completely new renewal for the next meeting?
No. In most cases, a minister with an incomplete renewal is requested to submit only the missing materials and not the entire application. The completed renewal will then automatically be submitted for consideration at the following MFC meeting.
13. I am a Community Minister. What is a statement of Affiliation?
A statement of Affiliation (formerly called Endorsement) is a covenant between the community minister and a UU congregation. An Endorsement/Affiliation should recognize the minister’s work in the community as ministry and state their willingness to be in relationship with this minister. All community ministers in preliminary fellowship must be in endorsement/affiliation in order to be considered for renewal. Ministers must renew their agreements every three years. Only ministers who are affiliated with congregations will receive delegate status at General Assembly. For examples of covenants with congregations and information on affiliation, please see the Society for Community Ministry website.
14. As a community minister, who should be on my Committee on Ministry (COM)?
Committee on Ministries are expected to have representation from both the place of employment as well as the affiliated congregation. Individuals representing the community minister’s employment may be co-workers, individuals served by the agency or perhaps other clergy professionals in the field. Supervisors are highly discouraged from participating with the evaluative process of Committee on Ministry. A COM should be composed of members familiar with the Minister’s pastoral and administrative abilities and who are knowledgeable of UUism.
15. How many members should I have on my Committee on Ministry?
The MFC typically expects to see feedback from four to seven members. Though we strongly encourages COM's to submit only one evaluation on behalf of the entire committee.
16. How often should the Committee on Ministry meet?
The COM is expected to meet every 4-6 weeks. The MFC expects a COM evaluation is based on deliberations made within those meetings over the course of a year
17. What does a Committee on Ministry for a community minister do?
COM’s assist community ministers in the reflection and affirmation of their ministry, from theological introspection to conversation on ways to meet the pastoral needs of the community.
For more information contact mfcassistant @ uua.org.
Last updated on Monday, July 7, 2008.
