It's been the big question behind the door: Would September 11 terrorism and economic downturn hurt contributions to congregations during 2001? Would congregants who gave generously to the Red Cross give less to their churches?...

Use caution when discussing congregational issues on email, reminds Rev. Bob Hill, district executive for the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA's) Southwest District. "Email is wonderful," Hill says....

Q. My congregation had a very difficult time last spring finding anyone to serve on the governing board and an even harder time getting someone to agree to be president. It also seems to be a perennial struggle to keep our committee chairs filled. People just don't seem willing to serve here. Can...

There are times in the life of every congregation when despite the best intentions of everyone there are details that don't get tended to. Well-meaning volunteers forget to do something, or take on more than they can do, or a family crisis intervenes....

When a wedding guest at a Unitarian Universalist church in the Southwest had too much to drink and fell down the basement stairs, he sued the church for many thousands of dollars. The church's insurance company settled the case for $2,000. Said the church administrator, "Had we been actually...

Those of us who have served on nominating committees know the experience can be either a joy or a tragedy. Some years everyone we call says yes, grateful for the opportunity to give something back to the congregation that means so much to them and wondering why we hadn't called sooner. In other...

Each year, core leaders agree on short-term goals. They agree that barring an emergency, they will not be diverted from these objectives. Leaders trust one another, respecting the work each does. They resist micro managing....

Q. The idea of providing child care for church and committee functions has not been a priority in our congregation....

When recruiting volunteers for committees, rather then telling them "we need you to fill this slot," tell them why they’re the best person for the job. Elaborate on their qualifications, insights, and experiences. Tell them how it fits into the mission of the congregation and how their...

When congregations set out to renovate their buildings, they're thinking primarily about the work to be done, how to pay for it, and how much better the building will be. They're generally not thinking about catastrophes that can happen while the work is taking place....

Q. I have always understood that the check-in process should be brief, personal, and without interruption. Is it possible that some of the objections to the process are due to sometimes letting check-in become too lengthy and more interactive than it should be? Many of us may have a totally...

Many of the ten congregations in metropolitan Pittsburgh, PA, have fewer than one hundred members, but together they have nearly 1,000 and in recent years they've found more and more ways to come together and make their numbers count. For about six years representatives of the congregations have...

Don't feel it's necessary to reinvent the wheel. Originality in worship is no special virtue. Familiar language, like an old shoe, soothes and reassures. Don't put anybody down, including yourself. Do take care of your congregation....

When the congregation of the First Unitarian Universalist (UU) Church of Duluth, MN (190 members), made the decision this past winter to begin raising money for a new church building, it seemed like the time might also be right to consider changing the name that would go up on the new building.

When a congregation adds to its space by building or remodeling, it has cause for celebration. But there are right and wrong ways to perform these ceremonies. Rev. John A. Buehrens, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) President, has participated in more than one hundred building dedication...

Asking the right questions is a key part of learning how well your congregation functions. The new book, Churchworks: A Well-Body Book for Congregations, by Rev. Anne Heller, district executive of the Pacific Northwest District, includes checklists for committees and boards of trustees. Here are...

For three years, Stefanie Samara Hamblen, director of children and youth programs at the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship in Gainesville, FL (290 members), met every Sunday night with the three teenage boys who comprised the congregation's youth group.

Q. Our small fellowship has moved from employing a minister half time to two-thirds time for next year. a) Does a minister, whether part-time or full-time, get the same amount of money for professional expenses like books, etc.? Does the expense allowance go up as his salary goes up? b) Also, how...

As another election season approaches, many of us are getting involved—and thinking about getting our congregations involved—in the political process. But what actions are permissible? Americans United (AU) for Separation of Church and State, a public policy organization that advocates for...

Rev. James Robinson, minister at First Parish in Brewster, MA (715 members), is a believer in having lots of small groups as a way to connect members and build a congregation, not only in numbers, but in faith. And for good reason—he gives much of the credit for a seven-fold growth in membership...