Consulting Services

The Director for Large Congregations, Stefan Jonasson, is available for consultation by telephone, email, web conference, and on-site visits to congregations. While congregational leaders are free to consult with him about any matter, the following areas of interest are the one most frequently raised: church size dynamics, congregational growth and outreach, governance, leadership training, organizational development, personnel management, and staff roles and relationships.

In a typical year, the Director is generally able to schedule twelve to fifteen consulting visits to congregations, which may include (but are not limited to) leadership development workshops, board retreats, staff consultations, and overall reviews of congregational systems. Every month, the Large Congregations Office receives more than one hundred requests for information and advice by telephone and email!

In addition to working directly with congregations, the Director maintains liaison with the Association of Senior Ministers of Large UU Congregations and LREDA-Large, contributes to both national and district-sponsored events, consults with UUA staff serving large congregations, and advocates for the interests of large congregations across UUA staff groups.

The Director does not generally offer services where large congregations are already appropriately served by existing district programs, such as working with congregations in the area of conflict management. Congregational leaders are encouraged to first contact their district office for help in this regard.

In addition to working directly with congregations, the Director can assist church leaders in identifying specialist consultants from a wide range of sources to work with their congregations on particular matters.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100