Official job descriptions for open positions can be found at http://www.ucc.org/classifieds

Context for Ministry

The United Church of Christ is a diverse theological community comprising over a million church members, gathered into approximately 5,500 local churches. Those congregations covenant with one another through local associations and conferences of the United Church of Christ. At its national setting, the United Church of Christ strives to equip church members, churches, associations, conferences and affiliated bodies to effectively fulfill their mission and ministries.

The Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team (MESA), located within the Local Church Ministries Covenanted Ministry of the UCC, focuses specifically on supporting authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ. According to the Constitution and By-laws of the UCC, authorization includes Ordination, Commissioning, and Licensure. The sanctioning of authorization is housed in local associations or in conferences acting as associations. The process of determining authorization and subsequent standing is housed in Committees on Ministry. Therefore, the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization team has as its primary constituents: persons pursuing the pathway to authorization in the UCC, authorized ministers, and Committees on Ministry. Associations and Conferences are integral to these covenants and play appropriate roles in all procedures.

The Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization team works in a collaborative model to meet the needs of these constituents. Duties and responsibilities of each MESA team member are included below. Also included are lists of ministerial partners within the United Church of Christ with whom MESA team members work in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. The lists of ministerial partners are not designed to be exhaustive and will evolve and change over time.

Minister for Committee on Ministry Resources and Conference Support
Duties and Responsibilities
•    Coordinates major MESA events which support Conference Staff, including New Conference Staff Orientation and Authorizing Ministry for the 21st Century: AM21
•    Coordinates MESA communications including newsletters, Glasscubes, social media and websites
•    Regularly reviews and develops resources for use by Members in Discernment, authorized ministers, and COMs. This includes the Manual on Ministry (or its successor resource) and Search and Call resource materials
•    Coordinates on-line learning opportunities for MESA to connect with and support its constituents
Ministerial Partners
•    Publications, Identity and Communication
•    Conference Ministers
•    UCC Pension Board
•    OGM Minister for Conference Ministers Relations

Minister for Members in Discernment
Duties and Responsibilities
•    Foster a “Culture of Call” in the United Church of Christ
•    Develops and oversees policies regarding authorization in the United Church of Christ
•    Equip Committees on Ministry to work with Members in Discernment
•    Engage partners in researching, developing and disseminating resources on call, discernment, educational and spiritual formation for ministry  
•    Encourages the development of authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ through resourcing and networking Members in Discernment
•    Support the development of authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ through relationships with participants in UCC leadership development programs
•    Foster a sense of collaboration and denominational relationships with UCC related regional education programs, colleges, universities and seminaries
•    Assist in UCC supported gatherings of partners working with Members in Discernment including Polity Teacher’s Network, Council on Higher Education, Council for Theological Education and the Student Ecumenical Partnership 
Ministerial Partners
•    JWM Justice LED program
•    WCM Global Ministries Youth Service Communities
•    OGM Minister for Affirmative Action and Leadership Development
•    LCM Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Minister for Youth

Minister for Ministers in Local Churches
Duties and Responsibilities
•    Assists in embodying the on-going covenant between authorized ministers, associations, conferences and the national setting of the church
•    Strengthens a culture of lifelong learning and continuing education among authorized ministers
•    Equips Committees on Ministry to work with Local Church Ministers
•    Works with partners to name and develop materials for boundary training and continuing education
•    Articulates guidelines for covenant and mutual accountability for authorized ministers including programs of oversight and fitness
•    Develops and maintains a denomination-wide record of results from UCC fitness review proceedings
•    Resources and connects programs of clergy cohort clusters including the Massachusetts Pastoral Excellence program, local ministiriums, Support and Accountability Groups, 20/30 Clergy, Target 20/30, and New Clergy Clusters
•    Develop and resource a nationwide pulpit exchange program
Ministerial Partners
•    UCC Pension Boards
•    Massachusetts Conference Pastoral Excellence Program
•    Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Worship and Education Staff

Minister for Chaplains and Specialized Ministers
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Recognize and honor the diverse calling bodies within the United Church of Christ
•    Support bi-vocational authorized ministers and those serving in settings outside of the local church including but not limited to chaplains, educators, counselors, community organizers, ecumenical ministers, and denominational ministers
•    Support authorized ministers serving in chaplaincy positions including but not limited to: Hospital Chaplaincy, Military Chaplaincy, College Chaplaincy, and Prison Chaplaincy
•    Provide the voice and perspective of the United Church of Christ in commissions and organizations related to specialized ministry
•    Serve as the endorser for government and professional chaplains
•    Resource Committees on Ministry on authorizing and supporting specialized ministers
Ministerial Partners
•    Council for Health and Human Services
•    Disaster Response Ministries
•    JWM Minister for Healthcare Justice

Minister for Ministers in Transition
Duties and Responsibilities
•    Engage partners in researching, developing and disseminating resources on ministerial transition in the United Church of Christ
•    Support of interim ministers in the United Church of Christ and the UCC interim minister’s network
•    Resource and support ecumenical transitions including Ministerial Partnership Standing with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Formula of Agreement Partners and ministers authorized by other denominations
•    Resource authorized ministers and Committees on Ministry regarding privilege of call, dual standing, and discernment status for leaders of new, renewing or multiplying congregations
•    Develop and maintain a listing of all ministry opportunities for both employment and volunteer needs in the United Church of Christ
•    Resource and support ministers transitioning between calling bodies or into retirement
Ministerial Partners
•    Center for Progressive Renewal
•    Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team Leader
•    Ecumenical Officer
•    UCC Pension Board
•    UCC Yearbook

Team Leader of the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Vision and articulate the changing needs of authorized ministers & leadership development in the United Church of Christ and ecumenically
•    Build ecumenical and denominational partnerships to support and resource authorized ministers, conference staff and committees on ministry
•    Provide leadership, oversight, and development of the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team
•    Serve as a connectional voice between the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team and settings of the United Church of Christ including but not limited to: Mission Planning Council, LCM Leadership Team, Council of Conference Ministers, General Synod, LCM Board of Directors and Executive Council
Ministerial Partners
•    The UCC Collegium of Officers
•    LCM Leadership Team
•    Mission Planning Council
•    Conference Ministers

Profile & Ministry Opportunities Administrator
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Resources authorized ministers and conference staff in the completion of on-line documents relating to MESA including the ministerial profile and ministry opportunities listing
Ministerial Partners
•    Minister for Ministerial Transitions
•    UCC Yearbook
•    Association and Conference Registrars

Secretary for Profile Support
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Assists the Profile and Ministry Opportunities Administrator with data entry and dissemination of materials related to ministerial profiles
Ministerial Partners
•    Minister for Ministers in Transitions
•    Profiles and Ministry Opportunities Administrator
•    UCC Yearbook
•    Association and Conference Registrars

Administrative Assistant
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Provide administrative support the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization and Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team Leaders
•    Coordinates calendars for MESA and CVD teams
•    Provide technical support for webinars, video chats and other electronic communications
Ministerial Partners
•    Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Team Leader
•    Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team Leader
•    Minister for Committee on Ministry Resources and Conference Support
•    Minister for Members in Discernment

Administrative Secretary
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Provide administrative support to members of the Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization Ministry Team
•    Work collaboratively in an administrative pool with administrative staff from Congregational Vitality and Discipleship
•    Foster a spirit of extravagant welcome and hospitality within MESA and partners; this includes but is not limited to: greetings guests as they enter the 3rd floor, providing for beverages and snacks at meetings, assisting in the distribution of thank you, birthday, anniversary and holiday cards
Ministerial Partners
•    Minister for Ministers in Transition
•    Minister for Chaplains & Specialized Ministers
•    Minister for Ministers in Local Churches

Minimum Qualifications for all MESA Team Members
•    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and collegially as well as independently with minimal supervision
•    Demonstrates significant understanding of and appreciation of the faith, polity and practice of ministry in the UCC
•    Demonstrates desire and sensitivity to work in diverse racial, ethnic, cultural and religious settings with commitment to diversity in the workplace
•    Demonstrates written and oral English language skills, including public speaking skills and ability to conceptualize, author, and produce print and other resources. Knowledge of a second language is valued
•    Must be a self-starter, able to prioritize work and to perform with minimum supervision
•    Ability to travel within the United States as necessary
•    Computer experience and ease with adapting to new technology