April 2026 COMma: Situational Support Consultations

By Rev. Tara Barber, Minister for Ministerial Support and Accountability

I was in my second call when I learned of the support processes available to authorized ministers. I had moved from being an Associate Pastor, through the transition of a long time Senior’s retirement and Interim and then became a Co-Pastor when the next settled minister was called. Things did not go as we had hoped. I requested a Situational Support Consultation (SSC) with our COM after my resignation had been submitted, and after my co-pastor had left their position.  As grateful as I was for the supportive conversation, it happened too late to be of much help. I wish I had known that the COM could have been a resource for support and discernment well before the end of that call.

In my role on the MESA Team, calls and emails come in asking about Situational Support Consultations (SSCs). Common questions are: “Can we use an SSC to respond to a pastor who is struggling?” “Can we use an SSC to give a warning, or to require that the pastor seek treatment or therapy?” Or sometimes the query is simply, “we don’t know quite what is going on in this congregation, but there is conflict or a breakdown in communication between the pastor and the congregation, and they are asking for an SSC.”

SSCs are a supportive outreach from the COM to de-escalate conflict, to assist with clarifying roles and expectations, to help congregations understand boundaries, and more. Typically, a small team of trained COM members would be tasked with facilitating the SSC. They would begin by meeting with the pastor and church leadership to determine the issues raised and the scope of the concerns.

SSCs are advisory. They offer wisdom and outside perspectives, as well as facilitated conversations within faith communities. As such, they cannot require action from the pastor or congregation. It’s imperative that at the outset, the COM gathers sufficient information to determine whether the concerns raised are behaviors that raise questions of fitness named in the United Church of Christ Ministerial Code. If so, then an SSC would not be appropriate, and the initial steps for a Fitness Review must be initiated.

While engagement with the COM should be taken seriously, it should not be feared.  It is incumbent on our COMs to clearly communicate expectations, processes, and support alongside the potential for disciplinary actions. Utilizing the Information Reviews and building relationships with the pastors and congregations within your Association or Conference are proactive ways to demonstrate the COM’s willingness to provide real support for the thriving of ministers and congregations.

Some questions for further reflection:

1. Does your COM provide Situational Support Consultations?
2. If not, what is one step your COM could take to explore implementing this resource?
3. If so, are they being utilized by ministers/churches? Why or why not?