2016 The Religious Education Credentialing Program and Your Congregation

Speakers: Liz Jones, Steve Lynn, Sue McGovern, Kathryn Warrior

Prepared for UUA.org by: Dan Harper, Reporter; Jone Johnson Lewis, Editor

Members of the Religious Education Credentialing Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association presented a workshop on the benefits of religious education credentialing to congregations.

The new religious education credentialing program "is similar to what congregations already know about the credentialing program for their minister," according to Natalie Fenimore. Fenimore, who serves as Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in Oakton, Virginia, is currently pursuing credentialing in the program. Religious education professionals present themselves as professionals, said Fenimore, "and the program speaks really clearly about what is expected of the congregation."

Liz Jones, director of religious education at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, said that the religious education credentialing program has three levels. "Each level of the credentialing represents a different breadth and depth of knowledge and skills," Jones said. The program was designed with three levels because "not every congregation needs the highest level of credentialing," Jones added. "It's a broad program designed to serve congregations." Jones is member of the Religious Education Credentialing Committee.

The first level of credentialing is called "Credentialed Religious Educator, Associate Level." The second level of credentialing, called "Credentialed Religious Educator," requires a bachelor's degree as well as other academic training in the area of religious education, at least two years of experience as a religious educator, and review by the Religious Education Credentialing Committee including a face-to-face interview. The third level of credentialing, "Credentialed Religious Educator, Master's Level," requires a master's degree in a relevant field, an additional year of experience, and review by the Committee. While some congregations may need a religious education professional with the highest level of credentialing, many others will be best served by a religious educator at one of the other levels, and some congregations may not need a credentialed religious educator at all. A complete overview of the credentialing program may be found online.

The Rev. Betty Jo Middleton, consulting minister of religious education at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Leesburg, Virginia, gave a short history of credentialing for religious education professionals within Unitarian Universalism. She pointed out that religious educators do not get automatically transferred from the old "Religious Education Landscaping" program to the new credentialing program. Middleton said that it is not necessarily true that religious education professionals or congregations would move from one level up to a higher level. Instead, professionals and congregations should pick the level of credentialing that best serves their needs.

The program is administered by the Department of Ministry and Professional Leadership at the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Rev. Beth Williams, religious education credentialing director, oversees the program.

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