Continuing to Talk About Those Ends Statements

While writing the previous blog, I decided it was time to look at what other congregations are doing.  Here is a set of Ends (or Outcomes as they call it) for University Unitarian Church in Seattle:

·      People feel welcomed into a caring church community.

·      People feel at peace and hopeful, and share those feelings with their families and the world.

·      People feel inspired to see, hear, and think in ways that deepen our understanding and expand our vision.

·      People feel strong enough in heart and mind to face the challenges they may encounter in life, and look to others for strength when they need it most.

·      People feel helpful to others in our community and beyond, sharing their energies and resources freely and in love, in living witness to our shared values.

·      People feel grateful for the deep liberal religious legacy of Unitarian Universalism and the promise of its principles.

This is the set of outcomes that this congregation aspires to and it is the set of statements that the Executive works with to develop his Work Plan.  They are not directive, they are not precise, they are not measurable (the way they are written), they sort of sound like ours.

Here are the more detailed points of Asheville’s Ends Statements:

Within

The people of UUCA have a deeply meaningful, transforming, liberal religious experience, which includes:

·      Participating in inspirational worship that celebrates our heritage and values, confronts the challenges of the world and invites exploration of the spiritual, intellectual and emotional dimensions of living.

·      Engaging in rich and diverse programming.  Opportunities for spiritual, intellectual and personal growth are numerous, focused and intergenerational. 

·      Accepting religious exploration as the work of a lifetime.

·      Developing the next generation of Unitarian Universalists.

·      Evolving and growing as active participants in this faith community.

Among

UUCA is a radically hospitable, spiritually vital and supportive community: 

·      Operating in a manner in which people of all ages feel welcome and connected across identities including race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, ability, politics and education.

·      Building relationships of trust and caring.

·      Encouraging shared ministry that intentionally widens opportunity and access.

·      Insuring that our paid and unpaid Staff, fully consistent in size and scope with our aspirations as a religious community, are appreciated and treated equitably.

·      Maintaining an accessible and green campus that meets our program and staffing needs. 

·      Supporting each other and our church programs generously with our time, talent and money.

·      Practicing responsible stewardship of our resources.

·      Developing and maintaining a vision that guides actions carried out by a democratically elected Board of Trustees.

·      Operating in a transparent manner consistent with our religious tradition.

Beyond

UUCA is a visible leader and partner, making a positive impact in our community and in the world by:

·      Acting on behalf of social justice through service, education, witness, activism and community organizing.

·      Proclaiming the transforming power of our faith by all effective means.

·      Partnering with religious and other organizations in ways that support our shared values.

·      Participating actively and fully in the larger Unitarian Universalist community.

·      Acting and investing in environmentally responsible and sustainable ways.

Now, I acknowledge that there are more problems with ours than just wording, as we recognize that some overlap of ends made it difficult to decide where to put various work plan actions.  But apparently the whole idea of Policy Governance© is based on providing broad statements for the Executive to work with.  The Board describes the target and the Executive produces the results.  Or at least produces progress toward the results.

This is the goal of Policy Governance©.  But does it make sense?  Hmmmmm, I’m still thinking about that.

Here are Ends Statements from Tucson, AZ.  Too long?  Definitely not directive, precise, measurable.

A.   We actively search for truth; encourage spiritual growth, and live meaningful lives as Unitarian Universalists.

1.     We create and nurture a safe spiritual home for all who seek a liberal religious sanctuary.

2.     We provide opportunities to gather together for worship and programs that inspire the spirit, inform the mind, and challenge us to seek truth in our lives.

3.     We live according to the principles of Unitarian Universalism.

B.    We seek to learn from personal experience, the world’s diverse religious traditions, and scientific discovery.

1.     We share, respect, and celebrate the commonality and diversity of each other’s beliefs and experiences.

2.     Our worship, religious education, and other programs draw lessons from multiple traditions and disciplines, and we seek understanding of their basic truths.

3.     We promote interaction, respect, and understanding among other faith traditions and sources of knowledge.

C.    We minister to each other with caring and compassion, building strong congregational bonds in love and friendship.

1.     We treat members, friends, and visitors with respect, fairness, and compassion.

2.     We encourage a caring community that supports one another, particularly in times of celebration and times of need.

3.     We listen and learn from one another.

4.     We build community through a variety of programs and activities including worship, religious education, fellowship events, social action, and the arts.

D.   We offer people of all ages a rich variety of programs that encourage, challenge, and expand our thinking.

1.     We provide quality religious education, grounded in our Unitarian Universalist faith that supports children, youth, and adults in their spiritual journeys and personal growth.

2.     We incorporate a diversity of artistic expression in our programs.

E.    We welcome diversity in membership and make special efforts to attract, integrate, and engage newcomers, families, teens, and young adults.

1.     All potential Unitarian Universalists know we are here and feel welcomed when they come through our door.

2.     We make efforts to attract diversity in our membership.

3.     We welcome and engage newcomers.

4.     We effectively integrate our members and friends into the fabric of our community.

F.    We each commit our talents and resources to the sustenance of the congregation, and acknowledge every individual’s contributions.

1.     Every member and friend shares responsibly in the financial stewardship of UUCT.

2.     Friends and members volunteer and make meaningful commitments to UUCT.

3.     We recognize and celebrate the contributions of our volunteers and contributors to the well-being of UUCT.

G.   We are respected as a principled religious community that takes action and effects change that enhances the broader community.

1.     Members and friends and the larger community respect us as a principled liberal religious voice because of our work to protect the Sonoran Desert environment, help people in need, and promote social justice.

2.     We are actively involved in the work of Unitarian Universalism at the local, district, and national levels.

3.     We support interfaith engagement by actively participating in the larger faith community.

H.   The values of our faith shape our decisions and guide our actions as an institution.

1.     Our governance process is open, inclusive, and democratic.

2.     We are equitable and transparent in our acquisition and use of resources.

3.     Our budget and financial processes are conducted in accordance with the highest standards of stewardship, trust, and transparency.

4.     We fulfill our stewardship responsibilities to the denomination, district, and our congregation.

We treat staff with fairness and integrity