Southern Region Unitarian Universalist Leadership Training

By Southern Region of the UUA

Red horizontal banner with three triangles inside. The first triangle is a white triangle with a red flower inside with the word "Primer" written in the petals. The second triangle is a blue triangle with a chalice resembling a person with arms raised with the word "Essentials" written under the figure. The third triangle is black with a similar figure with arms raised, resembling a chalice, with the word "Essences" under it.

Sending leaders to UUA leadership training is an investment in the future of a congregation and in the future of Unitarian Universalism. Participants in UUA Leadership Training are more grounded in Unitarian Universalism and hear a deeper call to serve. They function at a high level and are able to inspire and invite others. Because this experience is so valuable for individuals, teams, and congregations, the Southern Region staff recommends that congregations build leadership development into their core programs and budgets.

Southern Region Leadership Training Goals

  • To grow religious leaders who are able and feel called to steward our Unitarian Universalist faith
  • To support congregations by giving leaders the skills, tools, and framework they need to lead both the congregation of Unitarian Universalists and the formal organization of the church
  • To strengthen Unitarian Universalism through healthy, vital congregations and communities that are the institutional incarnation of our core values
  • To offer a model of deeply covenantal community, spiritual study, and justice-making which serves as a vision of the Beloved Community

Leadership Training in the Southern Region

There are three sections to Southern Region Leadership Training that are designed to support leaders at all levels. The three sections can be taken in any order, although there is a recommended sequence.

Section One:The Primer

The Primer section of the LE is a self-paced experience with recorded lectures, supplemental materials, and one live processing session. The topics covered in the Primer LE are UU Theology, Covenant, and UU History.

The Primer section of the Leadership Experience builds your foundation in and connection to Unitarian Universalism. This section is for newer members who would like a grounding in our shared faith AND for long-time members who would like to deepen their relationship with our shared faith as well as gain a fuller understanding of what it means to be an every-day Unitarian Universalist. All ages are welcome for these online offerings, and they are a wonderful augmentation to Coming of Age, Youth, Young Adult, and membership development programs in your congregation.

The Primer LE cost is $38 per person. Dates for our 2025-26 Primer live processing sessions are:

October 15, 2025 REGISTER for the Oct 15 Session

February 18, 2026

Section Two: Essences of Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition which evolves to meet our current reality and respond to current human need. In our shared tradition, we practice discernment about our shared Faith in community with one another, listening for the wisdom among us. Please join your Congregational Life Staff for a series of conversations about three critical aspects of Unitarian Universalism: our shared values, our covenants, and our historical context. Each session will include informational background and current context for each subject, making these discussions appropriate for new UUs, Lifelong UUs, and everyone in between.

Completion of the Primer LE is encouraged before registering for the Essences course.

The Essences of UUism series cost is $58 per person.

Dates for our 2025-26 Essences of UUism are November 5, 12, and 19, 2025.

REGISTER for Essences of UUism

Section Three: Essentials of UU Leadership

The Essentials section is an online series of three meetings with suggested supplemental recorded lectures and readings. The topics covered in the Essentials section are Congregational Foundations, Spiritual Leadership, Cultural Leadership, Centered Leadership, and Adaptive Leadership.

Offerings in the Essentials section are for gaining critical skills for holding leadership positions within your congregation. They are for members who would like to increase their competency in congregational theory and management. The Essentials section events are particularly useful for board members, members of the Committee on Ministry or Committee on Shared Ministry, Staff, Religious Professionals, Religious Education Teachers, Youth Advisors, Committee Chairs, and members of your visioning or strategic planning team. All ages are welcome for these online offerings, especially any Youth Representatives on your board or on your committees.

Congregations are encouraged to support their membership in participating through scholarships. A congregational team of at least two individuals is suggested to attend the Essentials LE series.

Completion of the Primer and Essences of UUism is strongly recommended before taking part in the Essentials section.

The Essentials of UU Leadership series cost is $68 per person.

Dates for our 2025-26 Essentials of UU Leadership sessions are January 10, January 24, and February 7, 2026.

REGISTER for Essentials of UU Leadership

Lead with Love: Leadership that Meets the Moment

Lead with Love Conferences are in-person leadership gatherings on a Saturday hosted by a congregation. Only Leadership Congregations (the ten most generous congregations in the region toward APF) are invited to host a Lead with Love Conference, although registration is open to everyone. Subject matter includes the many types of UU leadership as well as specific requests by the hosting congregation’s leaders. Lead with Love Conferences are also an excellent opportunity to meet and have conversations with UUA staff across regions and departments, as well as leaders in other congregations.

Prior Lead with Love Conferences:

July 19th, 2025 at The UU Fellowship of Athens, Georgia

Upcoming Lead with Love Conferences:

February 7, 2026 at The Greenville UU Fellowship in Greenville, South Carolina. Registration Coming Soon.

Supporting Leadership Development in Your Congregation

Your Southern Region staff supports membership and leadership development in your congregation with Leadership Training, Presidents’ Gatherings, Lead with Love Conferences, and more. We also offer consultations for individual congregations and communities toward creating membership and leadership paths and building infrastructure in your congregation that grows your membership and leadership capacity. If you would like a consultation for your congregation, please fill out our Partnership Activation Form .