Common use of Ministerial Team Clause in Contracts

Ministerial Team. In Congregations with more than one minister, the relationship between/among ministers and the congregation is multi-dimensional. As colleagues, the relationship is governed, in part, by the UUMA Guidelines and , in part, by their individual relationships with the Congregation. Are all, one, or several ministers called as opposed to hired by the Congregation? What is the meaning of a ministerial call in the context of the congregation? Is the ministry designed as a team, or a senior, associate, and/or assistant model. What is the meaning of an associate or assistant minister, called by the congregation, reporting to the Senior/Lead Minister? Some argue that having the ministerial team reporting to the Senior/Lead Minister ensures accountability just as having non-clergy staff reporting to the Senior/Lead Minister. Others would argue that all called ministers should be in direct relationship with the Board. In deciding which approach to select when searching for a new Senior/Lead Minister, Congregational Leadership should reach out to the UUA Congregational Life staff and the UUA Transitions Director for more information.