BECOMING AN ORDAINED MINISTER WITHIN THE UCCA

Any person who believes themselves “Called of God” to become a 21st Century Unitarian Christian Minister within the UCCA may make an application by submitting the following documents and proofs to the UCCA President. The UCCA does not discriminate in any way; our Ordinations are open to all, including men or women, and regardless of your marital status, sexual orientation, or other factors that might apply. We require a legally executed “Criminal Background Check” before final Ordination, and those duly convicted of certain crimes, such as those involving gross violence or crimes against children, and some others are asked not to apply.

The following submittals are required.

1. A formal letter expressly requesting examination for Ministerial Ordination within the UCCA.

2. A copy of the UCCA Ordination Application with all fields completed and signed, found on our website, or sent by email at the Candidate’s request to the Sr. Pastor.

3. A letter expressing why they are asking for Ordination, the purpose of their ministry, and why they believe God has called them to this service. All UCCA Ordained Ministers are expected to establish local gatherings/fellowships/churches. Your plan for such efforts should be included in this submittal. This does not have to be long and drawn out but should answer these questions fully.

4. A properly structured resume listing all education, including religious, as well as secular and religious work experience and other customary information.

5. Copies of any relative diplomas, degrees, certificates, licenses, letters of recommendation, and letters attesting to the Candidate’s qualifications. This should include any previous Ordinations. All submitted documentation must be verifiable with accurate and up-to-date contact information, including names, titles, phone, and email contacts provided by the Candidate with the submittal.

6. A bibliography of studies the Candidate has taken relative to this Ordination, either academic or self-studies, are acceptable. These must include:

a. At least one Unitarian History Study and at least one of the following two books on
early Christianity: "A New History of Early Christianity" by Charles Freeman, Yale
University Press, 2009, and "After Jesus Before Christianity" by Erin Vearncombe,
Grandon Scott, Hal Taussig, for The Westar Christianity Seminar, HarperOne, 2021. If
the Candidate has studied other sources of Christian History, they may be listed.

b. The Candidate shall document the study of three separate writings of American
Unitarian Writers from the past or present not listed below. These are available free
online.

c. Must include “Manual of Unitarian Belief,” by James Freeman Clarke, 15th edition,
1890.

d. Include at least one work by each of the following Unitarians: Minot J. Savage
(1841-1918), Theodore Parker (1810-1860), Joseph Priestley (1733-1804), another
selection by James Freeman Clarke (1810-1888), William Ellery Channing (1780-1842).
These are available free online.

e. And at least two selections by different authors from this list of modern “Progressive
Christian” writers: John Shelby Spong, Marcus J. Borg, Karen Armstrong, John Dominic
Crossan, Diana Butler Bass, Brian McLaren, Rachel Held Evans, Peter Enns, Thich Nhat
Hanh, Richard Rohr, other authors may be accepted with preapproval.

f. In addition to these, the Candidate should have listed studies and knowledge of basic
church administration and operation, sermon planning and presentation, and religious
teaching. These are required and are best as university study courses, but self-study
can be accepted if properly documented, and no study is to be denominationally
orientated.

g. The bibliography must include at least one selection from each of the following
“other religions:” Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism.

Each required listing in this bibliography shall include a short statement of the Candidate’s opinion and understanding of the work. And the Candidate is encouraged to list all they have read or studied in addition to those required herein. The Candidate may request “substitutions” for any book required herein by email to the Sr. Pastor. The request must list why the substitution is being sought and what the substitution is to be and in sufficient detail that it can be properly reviewed. The UCCA reserves all rights to accept or reject the request, and their decision is final. If the Candidate has a link to or a PDF copy of the substitution, it should be included.

7. The Candidate shall include a self-written document of their understanding of the UCCA, our faith, and our UCCA - Platform. This should include the Candidate’s opinion and understanding of the message the UCCA is presenting and an explanation of how they might serve our mission. This is a very important item and should be as complete as possible, but lengthiness will not be a factor. (See #8 below.)

8. The Candidate will be sent a copy of the UCCA Manuscript: “AN INTRODUCTION TO THE UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA (UCCA) OUR FAITH AND OUR PLATFORM.” The Candidate shall develop and write a personal understanding of the document and its teachings. This is a critical element within the process, and the Candidate should be complete in their response. (This is separate from #7 above.)
The Candidate is encouraged to stay in contact with the UCCA during the preparation of these submittals. The Candidate will be provided with at least one personal contact, such as the Sr. Pastor, who will serve as a mentor for the Candidate. A preliminary review by the mentor is acceptable before the final submittal. The UCCA is here to help you obtain your goal, not to stand in your way or in your judgment.
All documents shall be submitted at one time as “Word Document” and/or PDF attachments to an email to the UCCA Sr. Pastor.

The submittals will be evaluated by the Sr. Pastor and the UCCA Ordination Committee. From that review, if everything is approved, a “Final Examination” will be prepared and sent to the Candidate along with instructions and a reasonable timeframe for the Candidate to reply. If more information is needed, the Candidate will be notified and allowed time to respond.

The “Final Examination” will include a requirement that the Candidate composes and provides in writing a “21st Century Unitarian Christian sermon” within the parameters set by the Ordination Committee. The UCCA may also request a video sermon at their discretion and in addition to the written requirement. The subject of this sermon may be at the request of the UCCA, or the UCCA may allow the Candidate to make this choice.

The Candidate shall address each item within the “Final Examination” and return those answers/comments to UCCA. At that time, if all is complete and acceptable, the Candidate will be interviewed by the Ordination Committee and/or the Senior Pastor of the UCCA by “Skype” (or another similar method). If so approved, their UCCA Ordination will be secured.

An Ordained Minister within the UCCA is ordained for life unless removed for just cause after a proper examination and a two-thirds majority vote by the full sitting UCCA Council sitting in “Special Session” for the specific purpose of hearing this matter. The Minister may also request that their Ordination be terminated, but the request shall include a just cause.