Pulpit Supply List

As a service to our congregations, the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Conferences maintain a list of people who have indicated interest in serving as guest preachers for UCC churches. This role is often also called “pulpit supply.” The Conferences ensure each person on this list has a current and clear background check and that they have active ministerial standing, if they are an ordained, licensed, or commissioned UCC Minister.

Because the act of worship leadership and preaching is so sacred and carries such responsibility, as you determine who you might ask to be a guest preacher in your congregation, you are encouraged to have a conversation with them before asking them to preach. You will find it meaningful to ask about their theology and beliefs, what themes or scriptures they like to focus on when preaching. You are encouraged to ask them about their training and education, and their style of preaching and worship leadership, including how they want to be involved or not in the planning of worship and the other parts of worship beside preaching. It will also be important to ask their willingness to lead in-person and/or online worship, their willingness to being a part of worship that is recorded or broadcasted, and to talk through the safety practices of your congregation regarding Covid-19.

The 2023 Salary Guidelines passed by the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Nebraska and South Dakota Conferences state that those providing pulpit supply should be compensated at least $125-$200, plus travel expenses, for worship leadership. The 2023 Salary Guidelines passed by the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Iowa Conference state that those providing pulpit supply should be compensated at least $300-$350, plus travel expenses, for worship leadership.

The compensation should be increased when there is more than one worship service. In order that misunderstandings not arise, these financial arrangements should be discussed by the parties involved prior to the specified service(s).