Bylaw Section VII, 3 - The Committee on Ministry (COM) shall serve the health of the congregation by lending support to all the congregation's ministries. The COM shall advise the minister on conditions within the congregation as they affect relations between the minister and members. Members of the congregation are encouraged to communicate directly with the minister but may communicate through COM members or directly at COM meetings on any ministerial issue. The COM shall communicate and interpret to the congregation the nature and scope of the work of the minister. The COM shall review the minister's performance and conduct. The COM will provide formal ministerial assessments from time-to-time to appropriate UUA bodies. The COM shall provide a self-assessment of our congregation's shared ministry from time-to-time as deemed appropriate by the board. The COM shall advise the board on the minister's compensation, continuing education, and sabbatical package.

Members:
Minister Rev. Dennis D. McCarty
Jon Fischer - term ends June 1, 2013
Edrie Martin - term ends June 1, 2010
Therese Miller
Jim Farless
Tracy Price
 

Charter

Purpose
The Committee on Ministry's (COM) purpose is to ensure a healthy and vibrant total ministry at UUCCI.  It meets periodically to monitor and evaluate the ministry of the congregation to itself as well as that of the settled minister. Its primary purpose is to strengthen the quality of ministry in the congregation.  It seeks to understand, assess, support and advocate for a strong and mutually supportive ministry throughout the context of congregational life. The continuing functions of the Committee are (but are not necessarily limited to):

• to help the Minister to carry on an effective ministry by being available for counsel
• to give feedback to the Minister from the congregation as well as give feedback to the congregation from the minister, in order to strengthen and improve the mutual relationship
• periodically, to assess the effectiveness of all aspects of  our total congregational ministry and, to make recommendations toward improving, changing, or expanding this ministry
• to interpret for the congregation the nature and scope of the Minister’s work, helping to clarify role expectations and realistic priorities
• to monitor compensation and contractual matters related to the Minister’s total compensation package

The Committee functions as a sounding board both for Minister and the congregation. It serves the whole congregational body.   Trust, integrity, and confidentiality are essential to the work of this Committee. The members must have the trust of the congregation at large, the congregational leaders, and the Minister.

Membership 
At UUCCI, the Committee on Ministry consists of six members.  Except for the initial members,  all terms are three years; the terms are staggered so that, in any one year, no more than two members need to be replaced.   Members may serve no more than two consecutive terms, or a maximum of six years.

Members are chosen in the following manner: 1) the Minister and Committee on Ministry identify several congregants whom they would like to invite to serve on the Committee on Ministry, 2) the Minister submits that list of names to the Board of Trustees, 3) the Trustees may add names to the list in consultation with the Minister. Together the Trustees and the Minister agree upon those congregants who are to be invited to fill the openings on the Committee. In the case of a newly settled minister, it is recommended that the former Committee on Ministry be dissolved (though available to the new Committee in a consulting role) and a new Committee formed.

Meetings 
The Committee on Ministry meets periodically with a prepared agenda for each meeting. In addition to particular objectives, members should “take the pulse” of the health of the congregation at every meeting. By watching and listening to what is going on in the congregation, by paying attention to what needs are and are not being met, how relationships between different groups within the congregation are developing or deteriorating, how the congregation is relating to its neighboring communities, how welcoming it is to visitors and how inviting to guests and members, the COM focuses its attention on the vitality and health of the congregation and, when appropriate, steers resources to emerging issues.

Discussions within the meeting are held with the strictest confidence.  The goal is to create a safe place where all perspectives and experiences may be shared.  These discussions often inform and direct the Committee’s follow-up work with the congregation, at which time the subject matter may be made public.  Whenever a congregant wishes to air concern or a complaint, this person or persons may speak to the Minister or to any member of the Committee on Ministry. For the concern or complaint to be adequately addressed, however, the person must be willing to be identified and, if necessary, meet with the COM and/or the Minister for a frank and open conversation.  In particularly sensitive situations, a mediated conversation may be necessary.

last updated: 12/03/2010