Monday, December 7, 2009

Critical success factors for UU churches

Michael Durall, a church organizational consultant, has a new blog called Ten Minutes or Less. I became a fan of Michael's when I read his book, The Almost Church, and I liked it so much I stole one of his key ideas for the title lf this blog, "A Way Of Life."

He has an article on the blog entitled "Focus On What Is Important". He mentions 3 things that he sees as critical to success: High quality worship services especially good music, providing money to local charities regularly, and devoting 10% of the budget to mission and outreach.

I think there is another factor which is the provision of a meaningful rich, and deep spiritual life which helps people transform themselves, their families, their communities, and the world. The other factors which he names are good P.R., but good P.R. alone doesn't build a world class religion. There has to be something more substantive than that. I think Michael knows that having read his book so I am guessing it is an oversight that he left it out.

I have no idea however what he thinks. I am only guessing. And it is presumptuous to put words in his mouth so I will take responsibility for this last critical factor.

Unitarian Universalism is a superficial and saccarhine faith which requires little from its adherents other than good manners and etiquette and a fair amount of tolerance and courtesy. But beyond that congregants are left pretty much on their own to search usually other traditions for more meaning and spiritual edification.

His article is worth reading and it will take you 2 minutes. To access it click here.

1 comment:

  1. "Unitarian Universalism is a superficial and saccarhine faith which requires little from its adherents other than good manners and etiquette and a fair amount of tolerance and courtesy."

    Wouldn't it be nice if The U*U Movement™ actually got around to *requiring* a modicum of good manners and etiquette and a fair amount of tolerance and courtesy from its "less than excellent" *ministers*? ;-)

    As it is now U*U ministers make the following "pledge" in the UUMA Guidelines -

    "I will not speak scornfully or in derogation of any colleague in public. In any private conversation critical of a colleague, I will speak responsibly and temperately."

    In my experience and observation however "less than polite" U*U ministers are happily allowed to speak very scornfully or in deeply insulting and outright defamatory derogation of pretty much *anyone* else in public and/or in private. It seems to me that holding U*U clergy accountable for speaking scornfully or in derogation of people would be a critical success factor for individual U*U churches, the UUA, and The U*U Movement™ more generally.

    Just my common sense worth. . .

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