Theme-Based Ministry

Image of butterfly transformation.

Theme-based ministry, sometimes called theme-based church, helps create multigenerational connections as people of all ages explore common themes in age-appropriate ways. Theme-based ministry extends faith development beyond Sunday morning. Families can continue the conversation in the car ride home or over the dinner table; small groups that meet during the week can go deeper with the theme.

This model can be used with any sized congregation. We’ve seen it work in congregations with a worship attendance of 35 and in congregations with a worshipping community of 900+ with a full complement of theme programs taking place throughout the week.

Why Theme-Based Ministry

  • Offer worship experiences with depth
  • Ensure a balance of theological and religious learning
  • Better integrate spiritually connected programming across the lifespan
  • Weave a central thread throughout all church programming
  • Build a cohesive theological understanding
  • Find common language and common symbols
  • Embrace a practical theology you use in everyday life
  • Meet the very real challenge of today’s busy families and intermittent church attendance
  • Give focus to your music and arts staff

Theme-Based Ministry Resources

Theme-based ministry is happening in more and more congregations throughout our movement as a powerfully engaging way of focusing the life of a congregation on monthly themes through worship, religious education, small groups and other activities.

Compare Themes from Different Programs and Subscription Services

WorshipWeb offers a Yearly Worship Calendar, which includes faith-based and secular holidays that UU congregations often celebrate, plus monthly worship themes used in four popular theme-based ministry programs.

Past Yearly Worship Calendars

Search UUA Website Resources by Theme

Watch Recorded Workshops on Theme-Based Ministry