In The Interim
UUA Accredited Ministry Program
Requirements for Admission and Accreditation
INTRODUCTION
The objective of the Accredited Interim Ministry Program is to develop and maintain a pool of seasoned ministers with advanced consulting skills whose competence in ministering to congregations in all the complexities of an interim period is proven and who are willing to relocate annually.
Accredited Interim Ministers (AIMs) are ministers who specialize in interim ministry. Accreditation is awarded by the UUA Department of Ministry on the basis of proven competence in interim ministry, advanced training, and continuing education.
In recognition of their special competencies, the Settlement Director seeks to list AIMs, and to a lesser extent AIMs-in-Training (AIMITs), for interim positions of their choosing by means of an early preference pool.
BECOMING AN ACCREDITED INTERIM MINISTER
Requirements for Admission
To be considered for admission to the status of Accredited Interim Minister in Training (AIMIT), a minister must
- generally be in Final Fellowship with the UUA; however, the Ministerial Settlement Director may admit ministers in preliminary fellowship on the basis of relevant experience, skills, and training
- demonstrate competence in worship, preaching, counseling, working with volunteers, and church administration
- have completed Orientation to Interim Ministry
- have served effectively as an interim minister for at least one year
- exhibit appropriate personal qualities:
- self-differentiation: personal security, emotional stability, flexibility
- resilience and resourcefulness
- comfort with beginnings and endings
- the ability to listen attentively and to ask searching questions
- patience, empathy, understanding
- hopefulness: a positive approach to life
- physical vitality
- entrepreneurial energy on behalf of congregations
- a domestic situation conducive to frequent relocation
- make required professional commitments
- to provide evaluations of and by congregations served
- to refrain from serving a congregation as its interim minister for longer than two years, with a limited exception for interim ministers of religious education and interim associate and assistant ministers
- not to become a candidate for the congregation's called ministry until at least three years have passed
- not to discuss specific prospective candidates for the called ministry of the congregation with the ministerial search committee.
- to assure that the UUA receives 1.5% of current Salary plus Housing Allowance for each training event and seminar attended, in return for which the UUA will cover the costs of travel, room and board, and program.
- to participate in the early preference pool only if not seeking a called ministry
- to provide to the Settlement Office a copy of each year's executed interim ministry contract
Procedures for Admission
Admission, advancement, accreditation, and continuance in the program are administered by the UUA Settlement Director in consultation with the Interim Ministry Steering Committee elected by the body of AIMs and AIMITs. Applications for admission are always welcome.
Admission to the program is granted on the basis of evidence of a minister's effective interim service. Evaluations by the congregation, UUA Field Staff, and minister usually constitute such evidence. The Settlement Director may confer further with congregational leadership, Field Staff, and the Interim Ministry Steering Committee. A minister disagreeing with the Settlement Director's decision may appeal to the Director of Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group.
Requirements for Accreditation
Rigorous standards of accreditation are required by the fact that interim ministers are regularly called upon to enter churches in crisis, and to respond, often immediately, to problems that called ministers confront only infrequently.
To earn accreditation as an AIM, following admission to the program a minister must:
- complete two additional years of effective interim ministry, as demonstrated by evaluations completed by the congregation, UUA Field Staff, and minister, with such other evidence as the Settlement Director may request
- participate in at least two annual AIM Seminars
- complete the Essentials of Transitional Ministry program of the Interim Ministry Network or the pair of successor IMN programs: Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry and The Intentional Interim Minister
- in addition to carrying out the normal responsibilities of congregational ministry, including worship and pastoral care, demonstrate experience in assisting congregations in the following areas:
- assisting the congregation in claiming and honoring its past and in healing its griefs and conflicts
- illuminating the congregation's unique identity, its strengths, its needs, its challenges
- clarifying the multiple dimensions of leadership, both ordained and lay, and aiding the congregation in navigating the shifts in leadership that accompany times of transition
- renewing connections with available resources, within and beyond the UUA
- enabling the congregation to renew its vision, strengthen its stewardship, prepare for new professional leadership, and engage its future with anticipation and zest
AIMITs who wish to claim AIM status are asked to submit the materials documenting completion of the required educational programs and accomplishment according to the standards above over at least two years to the UUA Settlement Director for review with the AIMIT's mentor and another AIM chosen by the mentor.
UUA Tuition Reimbursement Plan
The Settlement Office reimburses AIMITs for the cost of tuition for the Interim Ministry Network's programs. The first payment is made after the completion of Part I and the second is made upon receipt of a copy of the Certificate of Completion. Costs for room, board, and travel, if any, are the responsibility of the AIMIT.
Maintenance of Accreditation
In order to hone their skills and deepen their professional competencies, AIMs are required to attend the annual AIM Seminar at least every second year, and participate actively in a program of fellowship, continuing education, reflection, and evaluation and self-evaluation.
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