How a Church Finds a New Minister

In the United Church of Christ, the process of a minister seeking a new call, or a congregation seeking a minister is called “Search and Call”.  The first step a congregation should take when they are aware that they will be seeking a new pastor is to contact the conference office and ask for staff support.  Once that call has been made there are resources for the search committee available on the National UCC Website. Helpful resources include the "Pastoral Guide to Search and Call-Local Congregation",  and The Southeast Conference Compensation Guidelines.

Proposed New Congregations

Do you hear God calling you to begin a new congregation within the Southeast?  We would love to have a conversation with you.  Please reach out to Rev. Kim Wood, the Southeast Conference Minister.  You are also invited to fill out this assessment as part of the beginning of a process with the Southeast Conference's Commission on Ministry.

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Annual Yearbook Reporting

Every year, the Southeast Conference participates in the National United Church of Christ's collection of data for the UCC Yearbook of congregations.  It is important that every congregation fill out the Yearbook information as this keeps the congregation's record active in the National Database which is tied to the Congregation's non-profit standing with the IRS under the UCC's filing.  You can fill out this year's yearbook here. 

Becoming A Congregation of the UCC (already existing congregations)

We welcome your inquiry into the process of your congregation affiliating with the United Church of Christ.  The purpose of this document is to introduce you to a three-step process of mutual exploration to guide your local church and the Southeast Conference of the UCC in deciding whether they wish to affiliate. The process is intended to move toward a mutual affirmation of covenant.  Please reach out to the Southeast Conference Minister, Rev. Kim Wood to begin the conversation.

Becoming an Open and Affirming Church

Church Revitalization

The Open and Affirming Coalition certifies local churches of the United Church of Christ as “Open and Affirming” after adoption of an ONA covenant welcoming all persons into Christian community, including equal participation in the life and ministries of the church. An explicit welcome to LGBTQ+ persons is required. Most ONA covenants also welcome other communities that historically have been excluded or marginalized by the church.  There is a process churches follow and a number of resources offered by the Open and Affirming Coalition to help churches in the process.  You can learn more here.

The Church Team of the Commission on Ministry is working to maintain a list of resources for churches seeking to revitalize or conduct some visioning work.  Click Here to view the Library of Resources.

Grants for Local Churches

At this time, the Southeast Conference does not have any grants for local congregations.  We do have scholarships for Ministers and Members in Discernment for education and continuing education.  The United Church of Christ does offer a number of Grants for congregations, some are program specific while others are for church revitalization.  You can learn more about the grants offered by the UCC here. Partners for Sacred Places, in partnership with the Lily Foundation, does offer some funding around preservation of church buildings.