By Connie Goodbread

What are the most important things going on in and around your congregation?

What are the issues that most concern the people in the community that your
congregation serves? If you knew the answer to this, your congregation could offer
programs that would address those issues. Where are the people located in the larger
community who would most likely be attracted to your congregation? If you knew the
answer to this question you would be able to focus marketing on those areas. How do
these people like to be contacted? The answer to this question will save time, energy and
money and reach people in the way they are most likely to hear your message. What is
the growth in your area? Is your congregation growing at the same rate as the larger the
community? Does your congregation want to grow? Does your congregation serve the
larger community by being the Unitarian Universalist congregation that is needed? When
is the last time your congregation had a demographics survey done? A demographics
survey would answer these questions and many more.

How much time does the Board of Trustees focus on the unimportant?

Focusing on the unimportant is an easy trap to fall into. We all understand the small
issues that come up in our congregation so it is easy for us to spend time on them. The
Board of Trustees focusing on the minutia is common but not the best use of their time,
energy or expertise. Are the standing committees of your congregation trusted to make
decisions? Are leaders empowered to make decisions?

What is the most important reason for your Board of Trustees to exist?
Boards of Trustees are Deacons. They are the elected stewardship body of the
congregation. The Board should be focused on the big picture, upholding the values of
the congregation, making and carrying out policy. They should be keeping the
congregation on mission heading toward the vision. They should understand their
responsibilities. They should be empowered and supported. They should be allowed to
lead. Serving on the Board of Trustees is an honor. Nominating Committees should
understand all of this when they ask members to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Whom do we serve?

There are polarities that exist in congregations. Each of the ends of these polarities is of
equal importance. An example would be outreach and serving members (inreach). If we
neglect one or the other of these important aspects of ministry the congregation will
suffer. Our ministry needs to balance both sides of the polarities. Another polarity
example is funding property and funding programs – we need both. Another: new
member programs and long time member programs. I am sure that you could think of
more examples.

By Connie Goodbread
1. What would it be like if we were generous with and serious about Unitarian Universalism?When I found my first UU congregation it felt like I had come home. I knew that, as a Unitarian Universalist, I could live a life of integrity and hope, a life where I would not have to compromise my values and ideals in order to be part of a faith community. How many of us feel this way? Yet much of the time we don’t relate our struggle to the struggle that others in the world might be experiencing. We have this wonderful piece of the truth, this wonderful accepting faith that we do not share openly. Unitarian Universalism is a spiritual discipline that very well could help to save the world. Too often we treat it like a secret that we have found that we don’t want others to know about. We need to deliberately create open space in our hearts and congregations that welcomes different people, experiences and possibilities. Paraphrasing Clinton Lee Scott, leaving the doors and windows of our hearts and minds open in the chance that some stray truth might light upon the sill. To share Unitarian Universalism freely we should be talking openly and often about it. We should practice deep listening and engage in calm respectful conversation about Unitarian Universalism whenever we can. This only helps us to define our faith and understand who we are. We should be emboldened UUs, steady as rocks and unafraid.

Too often membership in our congregations is easy, quick and unimportant. Unitarian Universalism is important. We should take it seriously by making high expectations for membership. Membership in our congregations is an honor and a privilege. We should take the faith seriously by asking for and being generous, respectful, kind, trusting, honest and forgiving. When people join our congregations they should have had enough experience with the community to at least begin to understand the depth of community they are joining. Our congregations are not country clubs, lecture halls or hospitals. Our congregations are beloved communities where people can overcome oppression and explore the depth of their faith in fearless freedom, with loving support.

Think about your congregation and answer these questions:

How are people greeted?

How are people welcomed into the community?

Who is welcomed into the community? Do we leave open space for true diversity?

Who does the congregation serve?

How and when do we talk about Unitarian Universalism? Do we practice deep listening?

What is the path to membership? Do we take membership seriously?

What are the privileges of membership? What are the responsibilities?

How do we communicate these privileges and responsibilities to prospective new members?