I Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to educate and empower community ministers to successfully bridge the gap between the granting of preliminary and final fellowship. Given that creativity is a hallmark of community ministry, it is not possible to offer a blueprint that every community minister must follow to advance toward final fellowship. This guide is intended to address the requirements with the suggestion of which order these steps might occur.Despite centuries of prophetic ministerial service beyond the walls of a congregation within the Unitarian and Universalist traditions, community ministry was only formally recognized as a specialization within Unitarian Universalist ministerial fellowship in 1991. Community ministry remains misunderstood by many congregations, seminaries, students and ministers. In addition, there have been significant challenges affecting the development of good professional practice, due to the broad and flexible expression of community ministry within Unitarian Universalism.
Community ministers serve the cause of Unitarian Universalism in many ways. Some community ministers work independently or in an organization outside a congregation; others attempt to bridge congregations and secular organizations; still others serve part-time in a congregation, and work part-time in a community organization.
The Director of the Ministry and Professional Leadership is the primary contact person for issues relating to community ministry.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
