A Minister of Record is a minister who is offsite but who provides the spiritual support and administrative guidance that a Unity Minister can provide. Ministers of Record fulfill the requirement that “a Unity Ministry has as its leadership a licensed and ordained Unity Minister or a Leader serving under special dispensation from UWM.” All ministers of record have at least 5 years of experience and are in good standing with UWM.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Building the ministry on the foundational Unity teachings
- Creating an awareness of the services and resources available through UWM
- Helping to navigate the business of ministry – this includes attendance at board meetings
- Holding accountability and alignment with UWM’s Sustainability and viability are concerns for some of these ministries, and a Minister of Record could be an alternative in helping the ministry build greater organizational health and in considering new possibilities.
Some specific indications that a Minister of Record might be a good choice are:
- Hiring a part-time Unity Minister could create financial hardship for the ministry
- Attendance has declined to under 25 people
- The ministry is considering dissolving. A Minister of Record may support the ministry in finding new life, considering becoming a discussion/study group, or embracing Unity principles and practices in new ways, or in moving through the process of dissolution.
Pros of MOR:
Upholds Unity Principles
Source of guidance to Board and congregation
Maintains connection to Unity Worldwide Ministries and Integrated Ministry PracticeResponsibilities and compensation are negotiable
Cons of MOR:
Only occasional or no on-site presence
Daily oversight and staff supervision must be done by someone from the congregation
Little personal connection to the congregation. Pastoral care must be done by someone from the congregation
Planning of services, classes, special events and problem solving must be done by someone from the congregation