Hallmarks of a Healthy Congregation

by Bill Zelazny, District Executive

A leader has the responsibility to monitor the pulse of a congregation and then advocate, promote and develop programs that will make (or keep) their congregation healthy. Healthy congregations grow. Unhealthy congregations stagnate and die. I recently read Rev. Tom Owen-Towle’s book, Growing a Beloved Community (UUA Book Store catalog # 7026), in which he describes what he believes are the attributes of healthy congregations. Perhaps these attributes could be used as a check-list to check the health of congregations during the year. Healthy congregations:

• Occupy Holy Ground. While a church has social, mental health, and justice seeking functions, it is not a club, therapist office, or political action center. Rather it is a place for seeking and spreading the holy (dealing with “Ultimate Things”). It is a place where minds are to be stimulated, hearts fortified, souls plumbed, conscience goaded, spirits restored.
• Welcome All Souls. “Hospitality” is writ large in the life of the congregation. Not only does it offer an open door to all souls, it ensures that all people find a place and have their gifts utilized.
• Care for Their Own. There is an effective caring network that attends to the needs of all ages, providing a continuum of care from entrance to exit.
• Give Everyone a Voice. Decisions are made by widely-practiced democracy, not action or inaction by only a leadership oligarchy. There is follow-through on votes of the membership, and decisions are not subverted by the personal preferences of one or a few.
• Encourage Unity Among Diversity. Members are encouraged to develop their personal belief system, but they are encouraged to carry an understanding that there is always an underlying unity of community.
• Spread Our Good News. Members claim and communicate our liberal religious message. A clear descriptive message about Unitarian Universalism is developed and taught to church members. The church uses a wide range of techniques to regularly promote itself and the faith we proclaim.
• Practice respect. Boundaries are kept, saboteurs are confronted, difficulties are faced not hidden. Methods are established where parties in disagreement can address and work out issues. Bullying, put-downs, passive aggressive or mean behavior is addressed with care, but never tolerated.
• Nurture Stewards. Leaders openly talk about the stewardship responsibility of members. Systems are in place where people are mentored into leadership roles. The gifts and interests of members are fully used.

October 2005