I remember the first time Jason Shelton introduced himself at our church, ten or so years ago. He looked an interesting and intelligent young man with a promising future. But of course none of us dreamed what was to come.

Sunday he became our new Associate Minister for Music — and made UU history. Not only was the vote an overwhelming majority (96%), but the turnout of members was remarkable by our standards (around 140) and the lack of discussion (just one brief comment) even more remarkable, again by our standards. All in all, it was a huge success.

So why are my antennae going wild? Why am I in a twit? Two reasons. First, I suspect to much of the outside world it looks like a foregone conclusion — and nothing could be further from the truth. Second, how do you convey all of the hard work and dedication that went into this happy outcome? Certainly the press release didn’t. (I helped write it, so I can say this.)

When the process first began, many of us (including me) thought it would be at least straightforward — maybe even easy. We knew Jason was enormously talented, hard-working and in demand at other churches. We were well aware that we were very lucky he liked us enough to want to stay.

What we didn’t realize is that the road of “internal searches” for Unitarian Universalist ministers is a perilous one. Apparently it’s one of those things that’s well known in certain inner circles. However, we only became aware of it a couple of months into the process, when things seemed anything but obvious. I’m not sure what the chemistry is that makes this so, but in retrospect it makes sense. While familiarity doesn’t necessarily breed contempt, it does take the superficial polish off.

As we got further into the process, it became ever more clear to the Transition Committee running the process that there both a large number of the unreservedly enthusiastic and a smaller number who had their doubts. The latter feared that the dominant support of Jason left no place for them. They could easily have been dismissed as troublemakers or misfits — and they knew it. Herein lie the makings of dysfunction.

While I suspect many UU congregations would have done just that, fortunately ours didn’t. The committee, Jason and our senior minister, Gail Seavey, were deeply committed to not just being respectful of this feedback, but also to using it as an opportunity to improve ministry. They went to great lengths to have plenty of meetings where people could safely express their questions and concerns. It was far from easy.

200 plus emails, five open meetings, countless committee and board meetings later, we emerged victorious. I would say in the end what made this such a success was hard work, a deep commitment to truth and respect, and, having a fabulous candidate who loves the congregation, warts and all.