Conflict is Part of Congregational Life
Congregational Dynamics
Reading about congregations as systems, and as organizations, can help in understanding how tensions in congregational life can be the seed of positive changes and growth.
- Congregational Life Dynamics and Conflict Management (PDF, 41 pages): An Application of Family Systems Theory: Part 1: Systems Theory
- Growth Resources Lists
- For Small Congregations (PDF, 23 pages: see 22-23) (1-150 adult members)
- For Mid-Size Congregations (PDF, 25 pages: see 23-25) (151-550 adult members)
- For Large Congregations (550+ adult members)
- Contact your District Staff
Congregational Conflict
General Information on Conflict
Reading about constructive ways to engage the congregation and channel conflict into positive energy can bring about transformative change. Understanding can help minimize the negative impact of some conflicts on the congregation.
- Congregational Life Dynamics and Conflict Management (PDF, 23 pages): An Application of Family Systems Theory: Part 2: Conflict Management
- Contact your District Staff
- Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences by Gilbert R. Rendle
- A Sample Covenant of Right Relations or Behavioral Covenant
- Conflict Resolution Guidelines and Suggestions
Information on Specific Situations of Conflict and Anxiety
Below are listed some resources for specific congregational situations that give rise to anxiety and can result in conflicts. Additionally your district staff can assist in these cases.
- Ministerial Transitions
- Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA) Code and Guidelines (PDF, 37 pages)
- Joint Recommendations Concerning Ministerial Agreements (PDF, 21 pages)
- The Transitional Ministry Handbook (PDF, 43 pages)
- Changing or Adding a Worship Service
- Controversial Social Justice Issues and Programming
- Addictions - refer to the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA) Addictions Ministry
More situations, topics, and resources will be added to this list over time.
For more information contact safecongregations @ uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Friday, May 6, 2011.
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