No candidate identified: Associate General Minister for Love of Church search to relaunch after General Synod 35

The search committee for the role of Associate General Minister for Love of Church did not identify a candidate to recommend to the United Church of Christ Board during their March 6-8 meetings in Cleveland.

The Love of Church Search Committee, which began its work in August 2024, held a diligent search that included online and in-person interviews, as described in the report to the UCCB prepared by Committee Chair, the Rev. Jasmine Quinerly. The committee identified candidates who met the minimum requirements on paper, yet after careful consideration, evaluations, and reflection on the final applicants and job description, no candidate was deemed to be an appropriate fit for this role.

“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to say, ‘No, we have not yet found the right nominee for this time and this place,’” said Julia Gaughan, UCCB chair. “I commend the Search Committee for their diligent and thorough work, and I trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide this Board, this Church, and the future Search Committee in the process of discernment for the next Associate General Minister for Love of Church.”

A new search

With General Synod 35 approaching on July 11-15 – the gathering where the election for this position was slated to be held – a new search cannot be completed in a timely way before Synod deadlines, according to Heather Kimmel, UCC General Counsel. Further, some search committee members’ board terms will end at General Synod, and new board members will be presented for election.

With these considerations, she said, the plan is to appoint a new search committee and launch a new search for the Associate General Minister for Love of Church following General Synod. The intent is to identify a candidate and present them for election at a special online meeting of the General Synod in early 2026. This meeting will invite all delegates specifically for this election.

“This role on the staff is essential as we focus on the ministry and mission of the church in all its settings and especially our congregations,” said General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson. “While a candidate was not identified at this time, I am confident that the search process will yield the leader who will serve as a part of the senior leadership. The UCC has talented leaders, and it is my hope that in this next round, members of the UCC will assist in identifying leaders who would answer the call to be a part of this mutual discernment process.” 

In preparation for a new search, the existing Search Committee will review their process with the UCCB Chair and share their learnings with the next Board and Search Committee to identify whether other process pieces should be adjusted or reconsidered, according to Gaughan.

“Timing can be as much of an issue for search processes as anything, so having the opportunity to bring the next search in front of General Synod will enable us to further publicize the position,” she said.

For the transition

The Board decided against appointing an Acting Associate General Minister at this time, with priority toward bringing the right candidate before General Synod through the Special Election, Gaughan said. The Rev. Bentley de Bardelaben-Phillips, who is currently serving as the transitional executive for Love of Church, will continue in this role through the new search.

The UCCB hopes this will ensure a broad and fair search and encourage all who are interested to apply for the position. They invite submitting any recommendations of candidates for the position to UCC Chief Human Resources Officer Alisa Lewis.

One additional point of note is that UCC Constitution and Bylaws Amendments are being proposed to General Synod 35 that, if approved, will end elections for Associate General Ministers and change them to staff roles instead. This is a proposal that arose from the UCC’s unified governance work which began in 2017. However, these amendments will not affect the election for this vacancy. If approved, the amendments must be ratified by two-thirds of the Conferences, and the Conferences have up to three years – until the next General Synod – to do so. Thus, this current AGM vacancy will be filled by the General Synod’s special election.

“I believe the timing of the Holy Spirit is not always in line with our planning and expectations. I am certain that God’s time is always the right time for receiving what we need,” Thompson said. “I continue to wait prayerfully and ask the church to do the same as we anticipate the next leader for Love of Church.” 

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