Organizations, like all systems, seek equilibrium. If a congregation is thrown out of balance by the prospect of change, most members will seek to restore order and sameness. This is natural and should not be a reason to judge one another. Healthy organizations have developed the ability to be receptive to change and resistance--to lean into the disruption to their equilibrium. This is where a congregation becomes a community of learning.

Surveys that work best come out of an understanding that the job of leadership is not to “make people happy” but to help the congregation live out its mission.  Surveys that are useless at best and divisive at worst typically seek to honor personal preferences about various areas of congregational life (including the minister).

"Deferred Maintenance" and "Building Reserves" are terms that are often tossed around when talking about the budget, but what do they mean?

Every Unitarian Universalist Congregation is designed differently. How each congregation functions is a blend of congregational experience, culture, and history. Congregational structures are also affected by whether and which other congregations members have attended or been a part of before. W

In our congregations, how often do we assume that preachers, music directors, and other worship leaders are there to fulfill our personal preferences?

We often claim that budgets are moral documents, and that congregational budgets should reflect our values. But line item budgets that include "office supplies, utilities, salary" and other such descriptions don't show how these line items serve the mission of the congregation. How might...

In our challenging justice work, we can bring our spiritual and religious wisdom—the words, songs, prayers, and embodied practices—to build resilience.

Leaders must learn to model how to de-center the culture of the congregation from White identity and culture.

A wide assortment of tools and methods can enhance a meeting’s productivity and enjoyment. (Yes, most meetings can be fun!) Below are a few suggestions. ...

Learn about some common difficult meeting behaviors and a few strategies to cope with them.

Learn about how to prevent destructive conflict in meetings by nurturing a culture that promotes respectful communication and creative interchange.

First, be sure you have prepared well for the meeting. Setting up the Space Plan to have one or two people arrive early to prepare for the meeting. Their duties should include the following: Chairs should be set up in a way that is comfortable....

Planning well in advance enables leaders to relax and be more present at the actual event, in addition to creating a comfortable environment for participants. The following are nine key areas to consider in preparing meetings. Discern Who Needs to Be Part of the Planning and Carrying out of the...

If meetings are to be truly meaningful and transformational, it is crucial to involve participants fully.  Read eleven ways to maximize participation.

There have been many processes and methods that are based on the notion that there is collective wisdom that can be gleaned from the whole.

Practical Decision Making How a congregation makes decisions should reflect all the characteristics of a free church. Respectful participation, democratic values, and reference to common principles and mission should be common in our practices and most clearly evident in congregational meetings....

Congregational boards hold the authority and responsibility for the congregation as an institution, as designated in the bylaws.

Congregational leaders today are facing challenges that have no easy answers or quick fixes. Developing practices that enable the congregation to use its collective wisdom to experiment with different ideas and approaches....

Failing to use a microphone is a form of exclusion. “When I’m excluded, I feel weary, frustrated, and invisible."

Going to my gym taught me how leaders can create a climate of acceptance, encouragement, and empowerment for newcomers.