Leadership Development
Leadership development in our congregations should be an extension of faith development. But our congregational leaders need more than technical training, they need a combination of skills, sensibilities and internal qualities to enable them to be both effective and faithful. This nuanced difference in the meanings of the words “training” or even “development” could be better described as “leadership formation.”
Each section contains resources that have been created or curated by your UUA Congregational Life Field Staff—the people who work directly with our member congregations and emerging communities.
Skills for Leadership Development
Communication, management, and other leadership skills can be developed through a combination of study and practice.
Leadership Sensibilities
Sensibilities are lenses that our leaders can develop in order to get a better "view from the balcony" of the situations in which they are leading and the people that they are working with. Part of developing these sensibilities is knowing that it is an ongoing process of learning, reflecting and shifting awareness.
Leadership as Faith Formation
Because Leadership Development is a kind of faith formation, we want each leader to develop self-awareness and find ways to cultivate and improve their full, authentic selves, especially in ways that make them better leaders.
Governance
Effective, efficient and faithful governance supports the ministry of the congregation, which in turn serves its greater mission in the world.
Programs in Your Congregation
Create an ongoing program of leadership identification and training, followed by matching people to meaningful opportunities to serve.
Leadership Schools
Leadership Schools offer a learning experience that can be transformational. Schools range from whole weeks to long weekends to online versions. Each school has its own culture and format, some offered by regions and some offered nationally.
Leadership in Small Congregations
Leadership in the family-sized church has it's own unique challenges. With fewer people to do the work of the church, leaders need to right-size their governance and ministry programs.
Staff Team Development
Thriving congregations need effective staff teams. Sharing the ministry starts with the minister, religious educator, music director and other staff.
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For more information contact conglife@uua.org.