A congregation's staff are leaders, modelers, and tone-setters. Well-equipped, spirit-filled staff provide consistent, skilled, accountable leadership, which in turn builds capacity and ownership among the laity and enables congregations to thrive.
Religious life is shifting in society, congregational needs are evolving, innovations are tried and shared, and new best practices emerge. Staff must be intentional about their professional growth and receive congregational support for it. In addition to strengthening the ministries of the congregation, regular professional development averts burnout, amplifies professionalism, and reinforces collegial relationships.
If you have questions or concerns about a staff member, contact your regional staff for support.
Key Resources
Staff Teams
Staff Team Development fosters overall congregational health and vitality.
Professional Organizations
UU Professional Organizations provide resources, continuing education, collegiality and professional standards for professional staff. Encourage your staff to join their respective organizations.
Professional Expense Allowances
Professional Expense Allowances make resources available for continuing education, professional organization dues, books and more, to help your staff learn, grow, and thrive.
Performance Evaluations: Tips, Traps, and Trends
Performance Evaluations complement regular, supportive supervisory conversations.
Support for Staff with Marginalized Identities
- Finding Our Way Home, an annual retreat for UU religious professionals of Color
- BLUU, Black Lives UU, provides connection and support for Black UUs
- DRUUMM, Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries, a BIPOC collective
- TRUUsT, Transgender Religious professional UUs Together
- EqUUal Access, for UUs living with disabilities
- Widening the Circle of Concern, the report from the UUA Commission on Institutional Change
Additional Guidance and Special Topics
Compassionate Terminations
Compassionate Staff Terminations ensure the best possible outcomes for the congregation while treating the departing staff member with respect.
Transitions Support
Transitions Support for Congregational Staff contains information for staff serving in a transitional capacity as well as for those working with an interim or transitional minister.
Mandatory Reporters
Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect, from the Child Welfare Information Gateway, discusses mandatory reporting laws and contains a link to state statutes.
From Starting to Parting
From Starting to Parting (PDF) helps congregations hire, support, and transition staff. Written with religious education and music staff in mind, most information is more broadly applicable.
Aid Funds
Aid Funds administered by the Office of Church Staff Finances provide assistance to congregational employees in times of financial hardship.
Webinars and Workshops
- The Ministry of Leading Staff: Team Ministry and Supervision: 2 videos (about 20 minutes each) created especially for those who are new to staff team leadership and supervision.
- Give Yourself the Gift of Professional Development: (webinar 55:50) What is “professional development?" Why is it essential? How do you choose and fund professional development activities and fit them into your schedule? While this webinar was developed for religious educators, most of the content translates well to other professional areas.
- Workshops from Past General Assemblies: Recordings and detailed slides from workshops offered by the Office of Church Staff Finances.