Douglas Zelinski

Doug Zelinski

Doug Zelinski

Douglas Zelinski worked with congregations for nine years as the Director of Leadership Development, first in the Metro New York District and then in the New England Region of the UUA, until November 2016. During that time he has worked with over 90 congregations spread across 6 eastern states, with sizes ranging from 7 to 700 members, and with issues ranging from ministerial transitions and startups to mission development and conflict resolution.

Every person who has been touched by Doug’s coaching and consultation with congregational leaders knows that he is wise, thoughtful, and amazingly insightful. He has offered our people a remarkable combination of faithful aspiration, organizational insight, and an uncanny ability to call people to compelling, deep work, often at the most difficult and trying moments. He has been a relentless ponderer and communicator about Unitarian Universalist theology and ethics, and has done groundbreaking work articulating the core of our faith. His staff team colleagues love him for his joyful companionship and profound spiritual leadership.

Prior to his work with the UUA, Doug honed his skills through 20 years of organizational development work with human service nonprofit agencies and city and county government in Columbus, Ohio. These skills were augmented with training from Gil Rendle, Peter Steinke, Loren Mead, Alice Mann, and Alexander Grashow. He is versed in Family Systems Theory, Appreciative Inquiry, Change Theory, Congregational Size Transitions, Adaptive Leadership, UU Identity Formation and Covenant Formation.

For three years he led the group that determines the workshops for General Assembly. He also led the New England Regional Leap of Faith Initiative and has served on the Skinner House Editorial Board.

From Douglas Zelinski

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Smaller congregations in many denominations are struggling to survive. This doesn't mean they are necessarily "doing church" badly. But it does mean they need to do church differently. Intuiting this need, church leaders often begin gearing up for a strategic planning process....

Leader Resource | By Douglas Zelinski, New England Region of the UUA | March 18, 2015 | From LeaderLab

Using Process Theology, we offer a framework as well as practical spiritual practices showing how living in covenant can create space for sacred conversations and authentic living.

Webinar | By Renee Ruchotzke, Jeanelyse Doran Adams, Douglas Zelinski | June 21, 2013 | From LeaderLab

General Assembly 2013 Event #3017 Our choice to organize around our promises among ourselves and with that which invokes our ultimate commitment is our greatest strength....

Webinar | By Renee Ruchotzke, Jeanelyse Doran Adams, Douglas Zelinski | June 21, 2013 | From GA Presentations

If Unitarian Universalism’s crux were reduced to a few points in space and time, they would be those potent moments just before and just after we keep promises, or break them. The power of those moments is simple, shocking, and science-based. Explore that power—its science, theology and practice.

Webinar | By Douglas Zelinski, Jeanelyse Doran Adams, Renee Ruchotzke | June 20, 2013 | From LeaderLab

If Unitarian Universalism’s crux were reduced to a few points in space and time, they would be those potent moments just before and just after we keep promises, or break them. The power of those moments is simple, shocking, and science-based. Explore that power—its science, theology and practice.

Webinar | By Douglas Zelinski, Jeanelyse Doran Adams, Renee Ruchotzke | June 20, 2013 | From GA Presentations

If the crux of Unitarian Universalism were reduced to a few points in space and time, they would be those potent moments just before and just after we keep a promise, or we break it. All that is exceptional about being human and becoming whole is crystallized in these decisive microseconds.

By Douglas Zelinski, New England Region of the UUA | January 29, 2013 | From LeaderLab

Mission speaks to the congregation’s calling, the source of its integrity and it’s central reason for being. What are we called to be and do?

Leader Resource | By Douglas Zelinski | March 16, 2009 | From LeaderLab

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