A guide for Baptist ministers transitioning to the UCA (Part 8 of 12)
Rod Benson, 18 July 2026
Ordination within the Uniting Church in Australia, or induction to the Uniting Church for ordained clergy from another denomination, marks more than the beginning of a new ministry appointment. It represents entry into a new ecclesial community with its own history, theology, patterns of discernment, and understanding of ministry.
For ministers who have previously served within Baptist churches, the transition is both enriching and demanding. It requires continuity with one’s previous formation while embracing new habits of thought and practice. The challenge is not to abandon one’s Baptist identity, but to allow it to mature within a broader ecumenical context.
I offer the following reflections as practical counsel for ministers beginning this new chapter of vocation, especially for those who were formed in the Baptist tradition.
1. Arrive as a learner before you arrive as a leader
Years of pastoral experience are a genuine gift, but every minister enters a new placement as a guest before becoming a guide. The Uniting Church possesses its own distinctive ecclesial culture, language, customs and rhythms, many of which may differ from those familiar in Baptist life.
Resist the temptation to assume that approaches which served well in previous ministries will necessarily translate directly into your Uniting Church ministry. Some practices will fit well, others may need to be adjusted or rethought, and still others may need to be discarded. This is sometimes necessary for any change in ministry situation, but it is especially true for transition from one denomination to another.
Take time to learn the history of the congregation, the character of the Presbytery, the priorities of the Synod and the wider ethos of the Church. Listen carefully, observe attentively and ask thoughtful questions. Leadership established through humble learning generally proves more durable than leadership established through immediate change.
2. Love the Uniting Church for what it is
One of the greatest temptations during any denominational transition is to evaluate the new tradition primarily through the lens of the old. The Uniting Church should not be approached as a proto-Baptist church waiting to be improved, nor should its distinctive practices be regarded merely as obstacles to effective ministry in the way in which you are familiar.
Instead, seek to appreciate the theological gifts that have shaped this Church. The Methodist tradition contributes a profound emphasis on grace, holiness and practical discipleship. Presbyterianism brings ordered theological reflection, accountable leadership and conciliar governance. Congregationalism offers a deep appreciation of the gathered community under the lordship of Christ. And there are other theological, liturgical and sociological factors that contribute to the shape and style of a congregation. These streams have been woven together in the Uniting Church’s life, and expressed in congregational life, and continue to shape its witness today. Allow these rich traditions to enrich your own ministry rather than simply measuring them against Baptist assumptions.
3. Honour your Baptist heritage without becoming captive to it
Your Baptist formation remains an important part of your ministerial identity. It has likely cultivated confidence in Scripture, commitment to evangelism, appreciation for believer’s baptism, congregational participation, discipleship and the ministry of all God’s people. These are enduring strengths that deserve gratitude rather than embarrassment.
At the same time, every tradition has its limitations. Entering the Uniting Church creates an opportunity not simply to preserve what you already know but to discover dimensions of Christian faith that may previously have received less emphasis. Mature ministers carry their history with gratitude while remaining open to ongoing theological and spiritual formation.
4. Embrace the conciliar life of the Church
For ministers accustomed to congregational autonomy, the conciliar structures of the Uniting Church may initially appear unfamiliar or unnecessarily complex. Presbytery meetings, Synod processes, ministry supervision and collective discernment require patience and substantial investment of time.
Yet these structures express an important theological conviction. The Uniting Church believes that Christ governs the Church as councils gather prayerfully to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Decision-making therefore becomes an exercise in communal discernment rather than individual preference. As trust develops, these relationships often become invaluable sources of wisdom, pastoral support, accountability and encouragement throughout ministry.
5. Learn to preach for a broader theological audience
Many Uniting Church congregations include people shaped by diverse theological traditions, educational backgrounds and spiritual experiences. Some will have lifelong denominational loyalty; others may have come from Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist or entirely secular backgrounds.
Continue to preach Scripture with confidence, clarity and conviction, but cultivate a style that is intellectually generous and pastorally hospitable. Explain theological language rather than assuming familiarity with it. Acknowledge that faithful Christians sometimes interpret difficult questions differently. Good preaching within the Uniting Church often combines biblical faithfulness, theological depth, careful scholarship and generous engagement with differing perspectives while remaining centred on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
6. Invest patiently in relationships before pursuing change
Experienced ministers often identify opportunities for renewal soon after arriving in a congregation. Yet sustainable change rarely begins with strategy alone: it grows from trust.
Spend time visiting congregation members in their homes, listening to long-serving members, learning the congregation’s story and appreciating what has already been achieved. Every church has experienced seasons of joy, disappointment, sacrifice and hope. These memories profoundly shape how people respond to new initiatives. When congregations become confident that their minister genuinely loves both them and their church, they are far more willing to discern fresh possibilities together.
7. Discover the gifts already present within the congregation
The Uniting Church places strong emphasis upon the ministry of the whole people of God. Ordained ministry exists not to replace the gifts of others but to nurture, coordinate and encourage them. Each congregation contains a wealth of stories, wisdom, skills in leadership and service, and compassion. Each congregation also has a history of conflict and methods of conflict resolution.
Rather than assuming responsibility for every significant task, identify the wisdom, experience and spiritual gifts already present among elders, church councillors, worship leaders, pastoral carers and other members. Seek to understand the nature of conflicts (including past conflicts) that may be present, and ways in which these have been resolved or managed. Model honesty and transparency and always seek to be a person of peace, dealing with conflict in ways that encourage forgiveness, reconciliation and human flourishing. Aim to work with, rather than against, those with whom you are ministering.
Encourage emerging leaders, mentor younger Christians and create opportunities for others to exercise their calling. Healthy ministry is measured not only by what ministers accomplish personally but by the flourishing of the whole body of Christ.
8. Build genuine ecumenical friendships
The Uniting Church’s commitment to visible Christian unity is not simply an institutional aspiration but part of its theological identity. Ministers therefore have the privilege of participating actively in relationships across the wider Church.
These relations take many forms. Become involved in local ministers’ fellowships, ecumenical worship, community projects and theological conversations. Learn from Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, Baptist and Pentecostal colleagues. Such friendships foster mutual understanding, deepen theological reflection and strengthen the Church’s public witness. They also remind ministers that Christ’s body is larger than any single denomination.
9. Allow yourself to be shaped by the Church’s spirituality
The transition into the Uniting Church often introduces ministers to spiritual practices that received less emphasis in Baptist life. The liturgical year, the Revised Common Lectionary, richer sacramental practice, written prayers, contemplative disciplines and ecumenical forms of worship all provide opportunities for spiritual growth.
These practices should not be embraced uncritically, nor rejected simply because they are unfamiliar. Rather, receive them with thoughtful openness, discerning how they may deepen your own relationship with God and enrich your pastoral ministry. Ministers who remain lifelong learners frequently discover unexpected resources for preaching, worship, counselling and personal devotion.
10. Remember that your calling is now to serve this Church wholeheartedly
Recognition as a Minister of the Word within the Uniting Church represents more than formal acceptance into a different denomination. It signifies a new covenant of service. Your vocation is no longer that of a Baptist minister serving temporarily within another ecclesial tradition, but that of a minister entrusted with the worship, witness and mission of the Uniting Church itself.
Serve this Church with loyalty, humility and hope. Speak well of it, pray faithfully for its congregations and councils, contribute generously to its shared discernment, and encourage its people in the confidence that Christ continues to lead and sustain his Church. Your previous experience remains a valuable gift, but its greatest contribution will be realised when it is offered wholeheartedly in service of the community that has welcomed and entrusted you with its ministry.
Transitions between Christian traditions inevitably involve both continuity and change. They invite ministers to deepen their theological understanding, broaden their pastoral imagination and rediscover the richness of the Church beyond denominational boundaries. Those who approach this journey with humility, generosity and openness often find that they receive far more than they anticipated.
In learning to love and faithfully serve the Uniting Church, ministers frequently discover that God is not asking them to become different people, but more mature disciples and more complete servants of Jesus within the communion of the whole Church.
Rev Dr Rod Benson is General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council and a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia serving at North Rocks Community Church in Sydney.
For other articles in this series, click on the links: Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8 * Part 9 * Part 10 * Part 11 * Part 12
Image source: St Michael’s
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