- Cultivate a healthy congregational culture that is trusting, open, compassionate and bold.
- Congregational leaders pay attention to the issues affecting their local community, as well as where the interest and energy lies within their church.
- Minister, board and other leaders focus and unite the congregation by choosing one pressing and relevant social justice issue.
- Design a faith-based budget, reflecting not the annual pledge amounts, but the congregation’s goals and dreams for the future.
- Apply for funding from a variety of sources, including the Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility and the McCune Foundation.
- Hire necessary staff to support and sustain the congregation’s vision for social justice ministry.
- Create grassroots organization, grounded in the congregation, to carry the social justice vision and work forward.
- Build congregational buy-in by offering many ways to participate in social justice ministries, including deliberately involving children and youth.
- Look for partnerships within the community, building ties with local government, non-profits, and other religious organizations that share a vision and values.
- Remain open and committed to the work of social justice, always looking for new ways to expand and support the congregation’s ministry and the needs of the community.