Breakthrough Congregations

October 3, 2014

(reviewed March 2024)

Breakthrough Congregations - New Ways for a New Day

Below you will find stories from UU Congregations showing growth, creativity and vitality in the program that ran from 2005-2019.

History of The Breakthrough Congregation Program

The Breakthrough Congregation program was a growth initiative started in 2004 during the administration of then-UUA President William Sinkford. Congregations who had experienced growth were nominated, and a four congregations were chosen to create a video to tell their story at General Assembly.

In 2017 the Breakthrough Congregations shifted gears, with the new focus on stories showcasing new models of vitality and successful approaches to leading change in UU communities of all kinds—congregations, covenanted communities or start-ups that have demonstrated new and better ways of meeting the needs of people who were currently underserved or not served at all in our religious communities. Those stories were featured in the UUWorld magazine.

In This Section

2006 Breakthough Congregation: First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin
From LeaderLab

First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI, the largest Unitarian Universalist congregation in North America, grew from 400 to 2,000 members in 17 years.
2006 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Fellowship San Luis Obispo, CA

Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA

From LeaderLab

During the 5 year period when they grew from 170 to 240 members, they made an intentional effort to keep the long time members connected, and most stayed.
2007 Breakthrough Congregation: Davies Memorial UU Church, Camp Springs, MD

Davies UU Congregation, Camp Springs, MD

From LeaderLab

This congregation was a committed multi-racial church, growing and extending its influence in the wider community.
2009 Breakthrough Congregation: First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, NM

First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM

From LeaderLab

With Branches in Socorro and Edgewood, First Albuquerque grew in depth and in numbers (564 to 715) in five years.
2009 Breakthough Congregation: First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, IA

First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

From LeaderLab

After an intentional decision to grow out of a 30-year 250 member plateau, they grew the membership to 400 in eight years.
2009 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Church of Bloomington, IN

UU Church of Bloomington, Indiana, Bloomington, IN

From LeaderLab

Lay and professional leaders describe how they have grown in depth and in numbers (304 to 405) in the past five years.
2009 Breakthrough Congregation: UU of South County, Peace Dale, RI

UU Congregation of South County, Peace Dale, RI

From LeaderLab

Hear lay and professional leaders describe how they have grown in depth and in numbers (93 to 128) in the past five years.
2005 Breakthrough Congregation: All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC

All Souls Church Unitarian, Washington, DC

From LeaderLab

After a major conflict, the church rebounded from 160 to over 500 by embracing its multicultural values and its spiritual connections.
2007 Breakthrough Congregation: All Souls UU Church, Kansas City, MO

All Souls UU Church, Kansas City, MO

From LeaderLab

A church boldly faced its problematic behaviors and focused on navigating the diversity already in its midst, and grew from 350 to 520 members.
2008 Breakthrough Congregation: Bull Run UUs, Manassas, VA

Bull Run UUs, Manassas, VA

From LeaderLab

A family-oriented and welcoming congregation
2007 Breakthrough Congregation: Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship, IL

Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship, Carbondale, IL

From LeaderLab

The congregation’s leaders said there were seven values that sustained and guided them: we value everyone’s voice; it’s okay to ask for help; we value the advice we receive; we value the generosity of angels; we value the growth of liberal religion; we value social justice; and we value fun.
2010 Breakthrough Congregation: First Parish, Sherborn, MA

UU Area Church at First Parish Sherborn, Sherborn, MA

From LeaderLab

A 300+ year old church renews itself by focusing on mission, covenant, and welcoming.
2005 Breakthrough Congregations: First UU Church of Dallas, TX

The First Unitarian Church of Dallas, Dallas, TX

From LeaderLab

Currently the congregation has more than 1000 active members, and its leaders believe they have broken through “unseen and powerful barriers by taking care of the church building, planning for the future, and welcoming visitors.”
2007 Breakthrough Congregation: First Unitarian Church of Portland, OR

First Unitarian Church, Portland, OR

From LeaderLab

A church where people grow spiritually, and then out of that give to the larger world.
2008 Breakthrough Congregation: Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Pales Verdes, CA:

Pacific Unitarian Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

From LeaderLab

They moved beyond their former mentality of scarcity and invest in new facilities, programs, and personnel, and…we needed to become a fair compensation congregation.
2005 Breakthrough Congregation: Quimper UU Fellowship, Port Townsend, WA

Quimper UU Fellowship, Port Townsend, WA

From LeaderLab

A congregation in a community of 8000 grew from a house church to 220 members, partly on the strength of the religious education program.
2006 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Church of Annapolis, MD

UU Church of Annapolis, Annapolis, MD

From LeaderLab

A church focuses on shared ministry, community building, and religious exploration as a growth strategy.
2011 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Church of Peoria, IL

Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, Peoria, IL

From LeaderLab

They chose to give up a historic building they dearly loved in order to build a new, larger home as their gift to the future.
2011 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Congregation of Beaufort, SC

UU Fellowship of Beaufort, Beaufort, SC

From LeaderLab

A multiracial congregation offers a liberal sanctuary in a conservative area.
2011 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Congregation of Fairfax., VA

UU Congregation of Fairfax, Oakton, VA

From LeaderLab

Making welcoming part of everyone’s responsibility, and putting energy into small group ministry helped this congregation achieve sustained growth.
2010 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Fellowship of Mankato, MN

UU Fellowship of Mankato, Mankato, MN

From GA Presentations

A small congregation of about 50 adults takes a leap of faith, hires a new minister and buys a building, and grows to 180 members.
2008 Breakthrough Congregation: UU Fellowship of Wayne County, Wooster, OH

UU Fellowship of Wayne County Ohio, Wooster, OH

From LeaderLab

This congregation thrives because “This congregation says ‘yes!’ “Newcomers feel warmly welcomed, there are lots of activities aimed at getting people together, people feel their talents are appreciated.
2010 Breakthrough Congregation: Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA

From LeaderLab

A suburban congregation looks to renew its sense of mission by buying a building in a diverse neighborhood.
2010 Breakthrough Congregation: Unitarian Church of Summit, NJ

Beacon UU Congregation in Summit, Summit, NJ

From LeaderLab

To celebrate their Centennial, they planned to raise and give away $100,000 and perform 100 hours of service, which helped unify the congregation.
2008 Breakthrough Congregation: Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL

Unity Temple UU Congregation, Oak Park, IL

From LeaderLab

This congregation grew from 250 to 500 members and its budget has grown from $144,000 to $740,000 in ten years.
2011 Breakthrough Congregation: Westside UU Congregation, Seattle, WA

Westside UU Congregation, Seattle, WA

From LeaderLab

Shifting from a humanist fellowship to a more spiritual and inclusive community helped them reach the goal of owning their own building.
2005 Breakthrough Congregation: White Bear UU Church in Mahtomedi, MN

White Bear UU Church, Mahtomedi, MN

From LeaderLab

Focusing on key values and core mission enabled the congregation to grow without straining their budget.