"The purpose of a church is to transform lives."
-Peter Drucker

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has several offices and programs to assist congregations in creating a healthy, transformative environment for its members and the communities that they serve. On Sunday of GA, Margaret Beard, Extension Ministry Director, moderated a panel on "Mission Centered Ministry."

In addition to Margaret Beard, the panel consisted of Malia Crawford, the Extension Ministry Administrator, as well as three of the program's part-time consultants: Deborah Weiner, Director of Electronic Communication for the UUA, the Rev. Gary Blaine of Hope Church, Tulsa, OK, and Angela Merkert, growth programs consultant for the UUA.

"Mission Centered Ministry" works with congregations to decide on a mission, communicate the mission and develop strategies to measure and achieve it. The advantages of mission-centered churches are:

1. Mission-centered churches attract new members who connect with the mission.
2. Mission-centered churches find it easier to raise money for missions rather than line items on a budget.
3. Mission-centered churches have a vision with which to guide its actions and spending.

The program occurs over the period of about a year and is most appropriate for congregations with 150-500 members. It is also important that the congregation is stable and has a settled minister that has been in the position for at least one year. The work is done during four to six weekend workshops, and involves direct teaching, coaching and experiential learning.

Weekend themes can include:

• Vision and Mission
• Covenantal Relationships
• Mission-focused goals
• Governance structures and leadership development
• Funding and Mission

A 22-page detailed overview of the program including costs as well as other programs offered by the Extension Ministry Office can be found at http://www.uua.org/cde/extension/

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Mission Centered Ministry:
Characteristics of Transforming Congregations
General Assembly
June 25, 2000

1. Creates a shared vision of the church, an effective mission statement, and dynamic mission centered goals to implement the mission. Develops, affirms a clear identity and purpose with a strong sense of mission.
   • Mission used as a compass in decision making
   • Members can identify the congregation's sense of mission
   • Communications and publicity clearly identifies congregation's mission
   • Orders of Service support the expression of mission
2. Is financially healthy and funds its mission.
   • Money and its part in stewardship is discussed
   • Budgeting choices are made based on mission
   • Compensates staff at fair levels
3. Structures its governance in support of its mission.
   • Organizational structure enhances congregational functioning, rather than gets in the way
   • Decision making is consistent with mission
4. Offers programs in support of mission.
   • Ministry groups are clearly included in program schedule
   • Worship services reflect mission
   • Programs are offered at a variety of times and places
   • Stages of spiritual formation are addressed with related activities
5. Honors its covenantal relationships.
   • Written covenants are developed
   • Conflict is managed in respectful, constructive ways
6. Serves the community as well as members of the congregation
   • Needs of people in present day are addressed
7. Flourishes through a ministry actively shared by clergy and laity
   • Members can relate their ministry in church and their daily lives
   • Language of shared ministry is present in spoken words and printed materials
8. Increased anti-racism and anti-oppression work and movement along the continuum
   • Programs offered support reflection and actions in this work
   • Language and organizational structure reflects sensitivity to, awareness of intentional responses

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Do You See or Hear This in Your Congregation?

"Who are we and what are we trying to do?"

"There is a lot of activity here, but where is it going?"

"We attract many visitors. Some stay, but others are Leaving and we don't know why. It feels Like a revolving door. How do we get commitment?"

"It's getting more difficult to recruit members to leadership positions and to fit( committees."

"Folks in the community don't know who we are."

"We say we value diversity, but we all seem to be the same age, race and class."

Mission Centered Ministry and the Transforming Congregation
May Be What Your Congregation is Seeking...

When your ministry is mission centered...

• Mission is at the core of your congregation.
• ALL activities and efforts emanate from this unifying center.
• Ministry is shared between professional and Lay people, and among Lay leaders, members, newcomers, and those "outside the walls."

When you are a transforming congregation...

• Your church transforms the Lives of church members, the community and the world.

Do You Want Your Congregation To Experience...

• A Clear Identity and Purpose
• A Sense of Mission
• An Alignment of Your Mission with:
  • How you worship
    
  • What programming you offer
    
  • Who you serve
    
  • How you budget
    
  • How people focus time and money
• A leadership approach shared among members of all generations
• An organizational structure that supports rather than hinders
• A shared understanding about how decisions are made
• A dynamic, vital congregation ministering to its members and the Larger community
• A thriving ministry shared by clergy and members of the congregation

Becoming a Mission Centered Ministry Transforming Congregation

MCM is a customized yearlong intensive consultation. Lay and clergy consultants work with mid-size congregations (150-500 members) that choose to move to the mission centered model of church.

Four to six weekends of workshops, direct teaching, coaching and experiential learning make up MCM, with a follow-up visit a year after the end of the program.

The consultant works with the board, minister(s), staff, committees and the congregation. Long range planning can evolve from this process.

Weekend themes can include...

• Assessing the congregation's identity and place in the local community
• Vision and mission
• Covenantal relationships
• Mission-focused goals
• Governance structures and Leadership development
• Funding the mission

Your Congregation May Be a Candidate for MCM if...

• You want to become mission centered
• You have clergy and Lay Leadership support, including a formal vote by the congregation
• You can commit time for up to six weekend workshops with 30% of your membership in attendance
• You commit to sharing program costs
• Your parish minister has been settled at least a year

For detailed information about our programs and services you may access our website at www.uua.org/cde/extension or contact us directly for a personalized introduction to our programs:

Malia Crawford
Extension Ministry Administrator
25 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108-2800
(617) 742.2100 x270 + Fax (617) 742.2875
mcrawford@uua.org

Margaret L. Beard
PMB #255, Extension Ministry Director
2710 Del Prado Boulevard #2
Cape Coral, FL 33904-5788
Phone (941)541-0298 + Fax (941)541-0299
mbeard@uua.org

Reported by Jessie Washington; formatted for the web by Kasey Melski.