Last month I wrote about “Congregationalism – What?” This month I’ll answer a question about the search process and why the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ has to be involved. Can’t we just pick our own minister? . . .
The short answer is yes. As part of a congregational organization, we can pick our own, and we do. While the FL Conference is likely to be our primary source of potential candidates, it is not necessarily the only source. We are not bound to using the UCC search process and we can, in fact, call a minister we want from any source. I am quite sure we all want to have a highly qualified, authorized minister (just a guess on my part!). The conference can gather, from their sources, applicants particularly suited to UCG, saving us much time and research. In order to have a recognized standing in the Florida Conference, the person we choose must present their credentials to the Florida Conference, where the Committee on Ministry approves and oversees the integrity of the minister – all of which is an important part of the process, and they are well equipped to do it.
Our affiliation with and basic financial support of the Florida Conference is based on membership numbers. UCG is assessed a certain amount for each person on our membership rolls. In return for our financial support, we are able to call on the FL Conference for help in educational opportunities, crisis support, legal assistance, financial aid, and more. Right now, the Search Committee will likely be working closely with the FL Conference as they begin the search for our new settled minister.
What about all these different types of churches in the UCC? What are they like?
Stay tuned for Part 3. . . and ask me questions.
Suzanne Huggard, Council Member-at-Large