Pulpit Supply

Field Education Program
email: placement@dbq.edu
Phone: (563)589.3105 or (563)589.3115


FOR PASTORS AND CONGREGATIONS: 

The Pulpit Supply program is designed to give students experience and to help meet temporary needs of area congregations, such as when the regular pastor is out of town, sick, or otherwise unable to conduct services. Most students and faculty prefer that travel time from Dubuque be under two hours. On occasion we can help with other long distance arrangements, such as providing a UDTS spokesperson for Seminary Sunday.

Congregtions may request supply by phone (563.589.3105) or via placement@dbq.edu.  It is preferable to have two weeks notice for a supply opportunity.  This allows sufficient time to find a student and allow preparation of  the sermon and worship service.   However, we do realize that there are unforeseen emergencies and you may not be able to request pulpit supply until a few days before the Sunday you need it. We will try our best to help you. It is difficult to find a student do worship services on short notice due to the necessary preparation time and prior commitments. Please understand that we will do our best, but there may be times when we cannot provide a worship leader for you on a given Sunday. We have a number of ordained ministers available, including faculty and retired faculty to administer the sacraments.

Prior to requesting supply please review the following form:
Click here for the information needed when requesting a preacher/speaker?

 Please complete a Pulpit Supply Information Form  and return to the Field Education office via email, placement@dbq.edu or by regular mail.

Once a student or faculty member has been assigned the church contact person will  be notified via email or phone giving and given the name, email and phone number of the supply preacher.  The supply person will receive  the  contact and service information of  the church.   If the supply person has not contacted the church contact by the Thursday morning before the service, please  call them directly. If you are unable to reach them, please contact the Field Education office at 563.589.3105.

What is remuneration?

The following  are suggested minimum honorariums. We understand that some churches may not be able to meet this standard while other churches can exceed it. Our desire is to serve the churches, and we trust that reasonable compensation will be provided. If the congregation cannot meet these minimum standards, please indicate what you can offer when you call with your request for a preacher.  Payment should be given to the student after the service.

$75 .00	honorarium for one service
$40.00	honorarium for each additional service that same day
$.55 per mile	travel expenses round trip
$100.00	honorarium for faculty + mileage

What if we need to cancel a pulpit supply invitation?
If you need to cancel, please call both the speaker and the seminary office 7 days in advance. If the cancellation notice is less than 7 days, we would ask you to consider sending the speaker a $25.00 courtesy stipend. This will help compensate for their preparation time and missed opportunity for serving elsewhere.

The Pulpit Supply program is designed to give students experience and to help meet temporary needs, such as when the regular pastor is out of town, sick, or otherwise unable to conduct services. For long-term needs we recommend hiring a student pastor. This requires a selection process open to all interested students. We will gladly advertise the position, arrange a time and place for the interview, and host the interview on our campus. The person to contact is  Rev. Hal Murry at (563) 589-3114.

For further information:

We hope this information has been helpful. Please let us know how we can better serve you. Should you have any questions please contact the Field Education Office, UDTS, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001 or phone (563) 589-3105 or (563) 589-3115 or email at placement@dbq.edu.

PULPIT SUPPLY FOR UDTS STUDENTS:

The supply program is a wonderful way for a student to develop or improve  worship leadership and preaching skills and  assist area congregations in their ministry.  UDTS provides  supply preachers for  a variety of denominations  in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.   Some congregations are without pastors others need short-term supply.  Participation in the supply program may begin after the first year of seminary or completion of one preaching course.  Students with previous preaching experience may be allowed to participate prior to completion of the first year of seminary, per the discretion of the Field Education Director.  Students are free to participate as often as they desire subject to demand.  All students who wish to participate must meet with the Field Education director prior to accepting their first assignment.  Students are paid an honorium and round trip mileage for their services(see above).

Students are contacted via email about supply opportunities and respond to the  Field Education office in regard to  their availablity.   Once a student has agreed to a supply date they will receive the Church Information Form (CIF), which contains information regarding service time, contact information and information regarding the service and preparation of the bulletin.  After the assignment is confirmed the student and the church should be in contact as per the CIF information regarding the service details,  but no later than Thursday prior to the service. Each  student participant in the program should review and follow the Student Preaching Guidelines.  For futher information regarding the program or to register please contact placement@dbq.edu.

If a church is currently without a full-time pastor they may request the student do the services until a full-time pastor is hired.  The Pulpit Supply program is designed to give students experience and to help meet temporary needs, such as when the regular pastor is out of town, sick, or otherwise unable to conduct services. For long-term needs we recommend the congregation hire a student pastor. This requires a selection process open to all interested students.  Should a congregation approach a student  about long term service they should be referred to the Director of Field Education, Rev. Hal Murry at (563) 589-3114. We will gladly advertise the ministry position, arrange a time and place for the interview, and host the interview on our campus.

For further information:
We hope this information has been helpful. Please let us know how we can better serve you. Should you have any questions please contact the Field Education Office, UDTS 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001 or phone (563) 589-3105 or (563) 589-3115 or email at placement@dbq.edu.