Speakers: Margaret L. Beard
Rev. Ken Brown
Angela Merkert
Nannette Sawyer
Deborah Weiner

On a warm Sunday evening at the Salt Palace, a panel of church growth specialists presented prescriptives for a new model of church -- one that is mission centered and which employs shared ministry to transform lives within the congregation, the community, and the world. The UUA's new "Transforming Congregations" program employs lay and clergy consultants to work with mid-size congregations (150-500 members) interested in moving to a mission-centered model of church. The typical church is pastor-centered and is therefore self-limiting in size because the minister's services can only be cut so many ways. By becoming mission-centered, achieving the mission becomes a major source of meaning for members, and the mission is achieved through the combined focus of a critical mass of individuals who share a common vision.

The "Transforming Congregations" program grew out of and has roots in the old "Decisions for Growth" program which the congregational, district and extension services department offered for six years, but this new program is not focused on growth alone. The focus is, instead, on the mission of the church. The program is aimed at congregations who:

• Are financially healthy and able to finance missions.
• Have a governance structure that supports mission
• Have programs as fulfillment of mission
• Exist to serve the community as well as congregation members.
• Flourish through a ministry that is shared actively by clergy and congregation.

The program costs about $6000 and uses a consultant; the UUA will rebate $2000 if all the weekend meetings in the program are held. Local costs include an additional $1500-$2000 for child care, lunches, copying and related costs.

The five meetings in the program were described by the consultants on the panel. Rev. Ken Brown, now district executive in the Pacific Southwest District, gave an overview for the program, saying that the consultant appointed to work with a congregation remains with that congregation throughout the program. Typically, a weekend consists of a meeting on Friday night with the Board to explain program and commitments as well as get updates periodically; a Saturday workshop for the congregation at which a 30% minimum turnout is required. Ministers and key staff, e.g. the administrator and DRE, are also a key part of those involved with each weekend. The Sunday worship service is tied to the theme for the weekend, and the consultant takes part in the service.

Weekend I: Assessment
A timeline and history of the congregation is prepared. The consultant provides reports of how former ministers and presidents remember the congregation. A space audit for both adults and children is prepared. Ministers and key staff should be available, and the Sunday worship service is tied to the theme and the consultant takes part in the service.

Weekend II: Vision
This weekend explores some key questions for the congregation: What is your vision? Why do you exist? The program seeks to identify the roots of a congregation's base that helps it successfully become embedded within a community. Whom do we want to welcome and serve? What are the ministry focus groups that we might serve? There must be a congregational process to determine the mission for a church, and these questions provide the basis for that work.

Weekend III Covenant and Mission Goals
How do we work together to fulfill our goals? What are the kinds of covenant we can enter into? Member to member, minister to congregation, parish minister to minister of education, etc. – whatever the ways, this process may involve some conflict. The objective for this weekend is to develop a sense of what a congregation wants to be able to do. What specific and achievable goals do we want to achieve? These goals can include anything from building and grounds to developing leadership to achieving financial strength.

Weekend IV Shared Ministry, Governance Issues
This weekend is customized to help assess leadership styles in church. Activities include developing an organizational chart and other assessment tools as needed. These may include:

• Anti-racism and anti-oppression training;
• meetings with selected committees;
• work with members on developing personal mission statements;
• examining the membership process in the congregation;
• working with how to share our UU faith: how to address public witness;
• ways to develop more effective leadership teams;
• offering canvasser training;
• work with special Gifts development;
• looking at how the physical plant can be improved;
• or ways that the congregation can integrate a lifespan religious education program into the church.

Weekend V: Funding the Mission
Funding the mission isn't a chore once all the work has been done to lay out a path. Once the mission is clear and the congregation's dream is defined, it can be realized. This weekend focuses on how to construct a mission-based budget. It also examines compensation of church workers, discusses money, money management, and canvasses, and cultivating major donors.

The "Transforming Congregations" process facilitates growth as well as improving the offering and mission of the church. For more information about the program, see the information sheet and application.

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