Lay Leadership
Unitarian Universalism is a democratic, grassroots religion. The decisions of each UU congregation and of our denomination are made by professional ministers and congregation members together.Through volunteer committees and elected congregational Boards, lay leaders manage most aspects of Unitarian Universalist congregations. Lay people hire the ministers and staff, build and maintain the buildings, manage the congregation’s finances, determine the congregation’s position on difficult issues, and more. In some congregations, members also plan and lead the worship services and choose the religious education curricula. Each congregation decides for itself how to divide these responsibilities.
The members of some Unitarian Universalist congregations decide to lead the congregation entirely without a minister. These congregations are sometimes called ‘fellowships.’
Lay leaders also determine the Unitarian Universalist denomination’s priorities and positions on all important issues. Every year, each congregation sends delegates to an annual meeting to elect our highest leaders, vote on our faith’s response to various social and political issues, and approve the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Together with the elected UUA President and Moderator, an elected Board of Trustees, most of whom are lay leaders, guides the work of the UUA throughout the year.
You can become a Unitarian Universalist lay leader very quickly. Lay leadership is open to people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, sexual identities, abilities, faith backgrounds, and levels of experience. Most congregations require official membership to vote and serve on some committees, but many also encourage newcomers to contribute their talents in leading parts of worship services, community service projects and more right from the start.
We are dedicated to giving our lay members the training they need to lead effectively. Hundreds of conferences, workshops, consultations are offered for Unitarian Universalist lay leaders throughout the year.
To learn more about contributing your talents to our faith, just visit your local congregation.
Last updated on Wednesday, February 21, 2007.
