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 concerns about a staff member, contact your regional staff for support.

Key Resources

Caring for Your Staff

Caring for Your Staff will help you meet the moment. In these fraught times, your mission is as critical as ever, and your congregation’s work happens largely through shared ministry among consistent, accountable, paid staff. Take good care of them!

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

Guidance on Special Topics

Staff Reductions

Compassionate Staff Terminations can help you ensure the best possible outcomes for the congregation while treating the departing staff member with respect.

Reduce Your Minister’s Time transparently, authentically, and accountably.

Covenants for Staff Transitions

Covenants for Staff Transitions provides considerations and samples to help your congregation’s outgoing and incoming professional develop shared understandings.

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.

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.

Aid Funds

Aid Funds for congregational staff provide assistance to congregational employees in times of financial hardship.

Workshop Recordings

Workshops from Past General Assemblies: View recordings and slides from workshops about being a good employer by taking care of your staff.