Mission/Vision/Planning

Your congregation is committed to growth and understands that growth in numbers results from other kinds of growth. You also know it is important to set goals and measure how well you are...

Are all of the members and friends of your church aware of all of the outreach ministries of your church? Is the wider community aware of who you are...

One of the most important keys to congregational health and vitality--along with a clear purpose--is a cohesive leadership team.

Congregational leaders are often tempted to go through the motions of creating mission, vision, planning and covenant documents without taking a holistic view of the process.  Do the...

Assessment of a congregation's ministry is a very important aspect of religious leadership and is one of the roles of a Committee on Shared Ministry.

Unitarian Universalists tend to use a lot of words when we attempt to explain our religious beliefs and values....

Attempting to reconcile liberal religion to the scientific method has a long history  among Unitarian Universalists. From the Biblical Criticism of the 19th century, to...

Your mission is what is hanging on the wall, Your system is what is happening down the hall.

A good mission—articulated gracefully and served faithfully--can help the members of your congregation feel like they are part of something epic.

What is the role of lay leaders in a mission-focused congregation? What is the role of the minister? The Rev. Brent Smith has experience and success...