For Local Churches

Search and Call Timeline for

UCCNY Churches in Transition

□       Notify your local Associate Conference Minister (ACM)

□       Meet with ACM and notify the local Committee On Ministry to coordinate an exit interview and liturgy of farewell for your pastor. 

□       Form a Transition Committee.

□       Secure pulpit coverage or supply preacher or bridge pastor for transition time. Recommend Intentional Interim if needed. Association Registrars have pulpit supply lists.

□       Call Search Committee, and have the local ACM orient the church to Search and Call process and, if preferred,  charge or commission the Search Committee

□       Be introduced to the Congregational Welcoming Diversity Inventory via PowerPoint.

□       Complete the Congregational Welcoming Diversity Inventory. (We aim for responses that represent at least 50% of the current worship attendance.

□       Meet with ACM and other team members to discuss the results.

□       Begin work on the Local Church Profile.

□       Discern a general budget for the next pastor, using the  UCCNY Conference Guidelines.

□       Have a Search and Call Associate review your draft profile, offer feedback

□       Have Local Church Profile validated by the local ACM.

□       Have your Local Church Profile posted by Rev. Gary Ferner.

□       Have mock interviews, then interview prospective candidates.

□       Narrow choices down to 2 or 3.

□       Invite one or two candidates to preach in a neutral pulpit if necessary (with so many pastors having sermons online, you may not need this step).

□       Discern a final candidate to present to the congregation. Plan a Candidating weekend, have the candidate lead a full worship service, and be introduced to the wider congregation.

□       Prepare a Call Agreement. (Sample Call Agreement available via the ACM.) Work with ACM to ensure just and fair compensation package, and ensure that your chosen candidate agrees with the call agreement, and will sign it after the vote.

□       Candidate meets with COM re:authorization issues and call agreement issues.

□       Have your Candidating Sunday, and a congregational vote on candidate.

□       Have your called pastor sign the Call Agreement.

□       Welcome your new pastor!

□       Connect with your Association leadership, the Committee on Ministry, and your local ACM regarding a date for your new pastor’s installation. Installation is an Association event. Set a date where leadership and COM reps and ACM can all attend. (Preferably months in advance.)

□       Install your new pastor!