Application Guide
How to Apply for Congregational Engagement Administrator
at CLF - Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist
🏢 About CLF - Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist
The Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) is a 3,500-member Unitarian Universalist congregation without a physical building, serving people who cannot attend a traditional church—about half of whom are incarcerated. Their ministry is conducted entirely online or by mail, making them a pioneer in digital and correspondence-based spiritual community. Working here means joining a small, mission-driven staff dedicated to radical inclusion and innovative member connection.
About This Role
As Congregational Engagement Administrator, you'll be the primary support for 'free world' members—those not incarcerated—by answering emails, designing data-informed outreach systems, and administering the tools that keep this virtual congregation connected. You'll help a small staff of 3,500 members feel personally seen, even though individual contact with everyone is impossible. This role is part-time (25–30 hrs/week), remote, and central to CLF's mission of belonging beyond walls.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start by checking member emails and responding to a few personal notes, then dive into a CRM report to spot members who haven't engaged recently. Later, you'd join a team call to brainstorm a new outreach campaign, then spend time configuring an email sequence or updating member records. The day blends compassionate one-on-one communication with behind-the-scenes systems work to keep a scattered congregation connected.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who CLF - Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist Is Looking For
- Experience in member services, community management, or customer support, ideally in a nonprofit, faith-based, or remote-first organization.
- Comfort with data and systems: able to use CRM or membership databases to spot engagement patterns and trigger proactive outreach (e.g., noticing a member hasn't logged in or donated recently).
- Excellent written communication skills, with warmth and clarity for email correspondence with a diverse, sometimes vulnerable membership.
- Self-directed and flexible: able to work across time zones, manage a non-traditional schedule, and collaborate during core hours (noon–5pm ET).
- Alignment with Unitarian Universalist values and a commitment to serving a congregation that includes incarcerated and free-world members with equal care.
📝 Tips for Applying to CLF - Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist
In your cover letter, explicitly mention why CLF's no-building, online/mail-based ministry appeals to you—show you understand their unique model.
Highlight any experience with member databases or CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, Bloomerang, Little Green Light) and describe how you've used data to improve engagement.
Provide a concrete example of how you've handled sensitive member communications, especially with people who may be isolated or marginalized.
Address the part-time, flexible schedule directly: confirm you can work 25–30 hrs/week and are available during noon–5pm ET for collaboration.
Research Unitarian Universalism and CLF's specific programs (e.g., Quest for Meaning, prison ministry) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Emphasize your ability to balance personalized member support with scalable systems. Share a story of how you've used data to notice a member's needs and reached out proactively. Demonstrate comfort with remote, asynchronous work and a non-traditional schedule. Finally, articulate your commitment to serving a congregation that includes incarcerated members and your understanding of CLF's mission.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read about the Church of the Larger Fellowship's history and current programs on their website, especially their prison ministry and online worship offerings.
- → Familiarize yourself with Unitarian Universalist principles and how they shape CLF's approach to community and inclusion.
- → Look up CLF's staff and organizational structure to understand the small-team dynamic and who you'd collaborate with.
- → Explore any public blog posts, sermons, or annual reports that describe their engagement challenges and goals for free-world members.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating this like a typical administrative job—failing to show passion for CLF's mission and the unique needs of a virtual, prison-inclusive congregation.
- Overlooking the data/systems aspect: only emphasizing people skills without demonstrating comfort with databases and proactive outreach.
- Ignoring the part-time, flexible schedule: applying without confirming availability during core collaboration hours or seeming inflexible about non-traditional work times.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to CLF - Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist!