A guide for Baptist ministers transitioning to the UCA (Part 7 of 12)
Rod Benson, 18 July 2026
In the Uniting Church, candidature for ordained ministry ordinarily arises from within the worshipping and discerning life of a local congregation. A person does not simply nominate independently for ministry as though applying for a professional position. The congregation, usually acting through its Church Council and in consultation with the Presbytery, helps discern the person’s gifts, character, Christian commitment and sense of call, and formally supports or nominates the person as a candidate.
This reflects the conviction that a call to ministry is both personal and ecclesial: an individual may experience God’s call, but that call must also be tested and affirmed by the Church. The local congregation has an important role as the community in which a prospective minister is known, participates in worship and mission, and demonstrates a growing identification with the faith and life of the Uniting Church. This is the natural way of being church together, and fostering new spiritual leadership.
For a Baptist minister seeking recognition as a Uniting Church minister, the appropriate first step is therefore normally to become an active member of a Uniting Church congregation rather than simply approaching the Church as an ordained minister from another denomination seeking a vacant placement. Membership allows the minister to experience the Church from within, become familiar with its worship, theology, polity and culture, and enter relationships through which vocation and suitability can be responsibly discerned.
Follow the process
The minister then follows the processes established by the relevant Presbytery and the Synod of NSW and the ACT. These may include formal applications, interviews, theological assessment, formation in Uniting Church polity and sacramental practice, professional-standards requirements, supervised ministry or other prescribed study and formation.
Previous Baptist ordination, theological education and ministry experience will be taken seriously, but they do not by themselves confer standing in the Uniting Church. Recognition as a Minister of the Word in full standing is an act of the whole Church, reached through the appropriate councils after a careful process of discernment, formation and reception into its ordered ministry.
In my case, once I had made the decision to leave my Baptist congregation and look for a new spiritual home, I still had many decisions to make. The initial move was made easier because I was not serving in active congregational ministry but in a role at Moore Theological College which made it relatively easy to attend the occasional Uniting Church service. I also watched many Uniting Church services in various locations online, one of the gifts of the Covid-19 pandemic that keeps on giving to the church today. My wife, however, continued (and continues) to attend and lead worship at Thornleigh Community Baptist Church.
The key for me was, firstly, to engage in contextual discussions with former Baptist ministers who had made the transition to Uniting Church ministry. Three were former faculty or staff with me at Morling College. Most of these colleagues currently serve in NSW Presbytery and Synod roles. At the time of writing, only two of these serve in congregational roles.
Second, I had very helpful conversations with Presbytery ministers in three of the NSW Presbyteries, which allayed my fears, provided important insights into Uniting Church policies and practices, and answered many of the questions I had. Of course, the further I progressed in my transition journey, the more questions I had.
Third, I am grateful to have had several long-term friends in significant Uniting Church roles, some of whom have retired, and these all encouraged me and assured me that I would find a good home in the Uniting Church and that my gifts and skills would be well invested in Uniting Church life. For those friendships and words of counsel I am deeply grateful.
Taking the first steps
How then should a Baptist minister proceed in choosing which UCA congregation to join in preparation for consideration as a ministerial candidate?
Choosing a congregation in which to serve is an important act of discernment. It is tempting to begin by asking the pragmatic questions, such as, “Which congregation will best position me for future ministry?” A better question is, “Where is God calling me to serve?” Since candidature ordinarily arises within the life of a local congregation, the faith community you join should be one in which you are prepared to worship faithfully, build genuine relationships, and contribute to its life without any expectation of future appointment.
Rather than viewing congregational membership as a stepping stone, embrace it as a season of learning, belonging and service. This can be hard, but my experience is that Uniting Church communities are generally welcoming to newcomers and adept at connecting willing visitors with the existing community.
Geography is also an important consideration, and the needs of family and employment play significant roles here. Joining a congregation within reasonable travelling distance enables consistent participation in worship, Bible study, Church Council meetings, pastoral activities and the informal relationships through which trust is built. It also allows the local congregation and Presbytery to know you well over time.
The needs of the congregation
Beyond geography, however, you should consider the real and felt needs of the congregation and the wider mission of the Church. Where are experienced leaders most needed? Which congregation might benefit from your specific gifts in preaching, pastoral care, evangelism, discipleship, administration, mentoring or community engagement? Rather than seeking the most comfortable or prestigious setting, ask where your experience and abilities are most likely to strengthen the ministry already taking place.
This requires an attitude of vocation rather than career planning. God has graciously entrusted each minister with particular gifts, experiences and passions. The question is not simply where those gifts will be most appreciated, but where they can most effectively contribute to the mission of God and the health and growth of the church. Some ministers will flourish in established suburban congregations, others in rural communities, multicultural churches, new church plants or congregations facing significant transition.
The aim is not personal advancement but faithful stewardship. Go where you are most likely to facilitate God’s mission, faithfully employ the gifts he has entrusted to you, and become a genuine blessing to God’s people and the surrounding community.
Above all, approach the journey with humility and a teachable spirit. Use the time of transition as a space for personal growth as well as professional orientation. Regardless of how extensive your previous ministry experience is, entering the Uniting Church means becoming a learner again. Listen before offering solutions. Learn the history, culture and traditions of your congregation. Take the time to become familiar with the Basis of Union, and (if you can find them) some books and articles outlining the history and theology of the Uniting Church.
Respect and trust
It is also vitally important that you respect practices that differ from your Baptist experience, even where they initially feel unfamiliar. Seek the wisdom of ministers and lay leaders who have served faithfully within the Uniting Church for many years. Ministers who make the most successful transition are rarely those who arrive convinced they have much to teach; they are those who come eager to learn, ready to serve, and willing to allow God to shape them afresh through the life of a new Christian community. In due course, their own gifts and experience become all the more valuable because they have first taken the time to understand and love the Church they have been called to serve.
Go with God, and you will discover that God walks with you, opens and closes doors, and is your best confidant, defender, and guide. But also recognise that God does all of these beautiful things through other people.
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: Julian Leeser MP (social media)
All Told 