UCCB Search Committee shares plans to announce candidate for next GMP

The search to identify a candidate for the United Church of Christ’s next General Minister and President is almost complete. The GMP Search Committee of the UCC Board plans to present the candidate to board members for affirmation at the March meeting in Cleveland. In this letter to the wider church, the Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin, chair of the GMP Search Committee, issues a progress report on the search and call process.

Dear Church:

It is with great anticipation that I let you know the next steps in the General Minister and President transition process. 

The GMP Search Committee is charged by the United Church of Christ Board with nominating a single candidate to the UCCB March board meeting. The Committee will release the identity of the candidate to the Board on Friday, Feb. 24, and we will make a public announcement to the whole Church on Monday, Feb. 27. You can expect to find that announcement, as well as the history of the search process, on this page. 

At their March 3-5 meeting, the UCCB will meet with the candidate chosen by the Search Committee. This recommended candidate must be confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the Board, at which point the candidate is officially nominated before General Synod. General Synod, which will meet in Indianapolis June 30-July 4, must affirm the election and call of the GMP nominee by at least 60 percent. 

Between the March Board meeting and General Synod, there will be opportunities for the GMP nominee to meet with various constituencies of the United Church of Christ. Details are forthcoming, and please contact me if you want to be sure your ministry or group has an opportunity to hear from the GMP nominee before Synod. I can be reached at gmpsearch@ucc.org.

I want to extend my gratitude to the GMP Search Committee for all of their hard work through the process of listening sessions, formulating a position profile, reviewing candidate materials, interviews — and, through it all, diligent prayer. And, I am deeply grateful to all who have participated in this process, whether through the town hall sessions last spring, as a reference, or as a candidate. Truly, the United Church of Christ is blessed with an abundance of dedicated, skilled, and faithful leadership. 

Faithfully,
The Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin 
Chair of the United Church of Christ Board GMP Search Committee