tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post9087527125179094301..comments2023-08-23T08:27:08.039-04:00Comments on UU A Way Of Life: Why are UU congregations small? Part 4 - Lack of hierarchical oversightDavid G. Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-22744666740684551142013-02-19T21:58:25.976-05:002013-02-19T21:58:25.976-05:00Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been b...Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?<br />you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content!<br /><br /><br />Also visit my blog ... <a href="http://etc.koma-medien.de/index.php?title=Benutzer:CorinaAma" rel="nofollow">online payday loans no fax</a><br /><i>My page</i> > <b><a href="http://riuglass.it/Wiki/index.php?title=Utente:IrishCock" rel="nofollow">federal cash advance</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-72733355184224939342013-02-19T21:57:53.760-05:002013-02-19T21:57:53.760-05:00Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been b...Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?<br />you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your <br />web site is magnificent, as well as the content!<br /><br /><br />Feel free to visit my web page :: <a href="http://etc.koma-medien.de/index.php?title=Benutzer:CorinaAma" rel="nofollow">online payday loans no fax</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-57656066521548709332012-05-17T18:08:29.405-04:002012-05-17T18:08:29.405-04:00Dear Paul:
Thanks for you comment. I think I unde...Dear Paul:<br /><br />Thanks for you comment. I think I understand in part the reasons you set forth for a decentralized governance structure which means essentially a nonexistent centralized governance structure. You write "My point is, only, that people aren't going or not coming because of perceived lack of central control."<br /><br />I think on the surface your statement is correct. Most people who go to hospitals to have medical procedures have no idea what that hospital's accreditation entails or how it assures that the processes they are engaged in have been designed in such a way as to adhere to quality standards.<br /><br />People can enjoy a well designed building and/or house and never review the architectural plans that lead to its construction.<br /><br />The point is that without well designed key processes which include an evaluative and design element, organizations are left to flounder by trial and error and success, i.e. good outcomes, occur serendipity is a congregation gets lucky rather than through well thought out design.<br /><br />As much as one might critique the Roman Catholic church it does have staying power and has been around for 2,000 years and has had major cultural impacts on most societies on every continent on earth. How do you account for its colossal social influence?<br /><br /><br />The fact that UUs fear accountability and favor "freedom of the pulpit", and "freedom of the pew", and haphazard congregational polity will always contribute to idiosyncratic expressions of practice and meaning making that detracts from a coherent conversation with a greater whole.<br /><br />Thanks again for your comment. It has helped me think further about this topic.David Markhamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-6870989124152921572012-05-17T15:49:40.683-04:002012-05-17T15:49:40.683-04:00Ummm. Using the US experience only, since that is ...Ummm. Using the US experience only, since that is the majority of what is in the comparable cultural milieu, look at the more hierarchical religions and tell me that they are not many of them experiencing decline. Roman Catholic parish closings. Decline in Mainline Protestant membership. <br /><br />And frankly, other than a few UU nerds, I'm not sure people do know how little is required to be a member congregation. Certainly newcomers don't have any idea what is or isn't required. <br /><br />Heck, congregations typically don't even have a clue about what is required of their minister to be credentialed, let alone the shape of the path to ministry. I find UUs often are surprised that three years of seminary, CPE, and internship are required. Throw in the fully spelled out acronyms RSCC and MFC and UUMA into the mix, and nearly everyone is scratching their heads. <br /><br />My point is, only, that people aren't going or not coming because of perceived lack of central control.<br /><br />The likely outcome of such an accreditation process as you suggest in the final paragraph is, IMO, not growth but defection. Freedom of the Pulpit, Freedom of the Pew, and Congregational Polity are not just organizational methods. They are inherent in our values. A move toward episcopalization or greater presbyterianization of UU organization would be a huge turn off to many UUs. It sure would be to me.<br /><br />I'm all for keeping/making us as decentralized as possible. Less hierarchy than we currently have, rather than less.Paul Oakleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17426789386840488470noreply@blogger.com