By Connie Goodbread

 

Are we growing souls?  Feeding the people?  Giving them the tools they might need to become more fully human?
 
Do we make Unitarian Universalism a spiritual discipline that could be a lifelong path?
 
Do we make a difference in the individual lives of our members?
 
Do we make a difference in the communities we serve?
 
Are we building the world we dream about?
 
William Ellery Channing:  The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; Not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; Not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth; Not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs; Not to bind them by ineradicable prejudices to our particular sect or peculiar notions, but to prepare them for impartial, conscientious judging of whatever subjects may be offered to their decision; Not to burden the memory, but to quicken and strengthen the power of thought; Not to impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules, but to awaken the conscience, the moral discernment. In a word, the great end is to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish the spiritual life.
 
I love this Channing quote and I have heard some people use it as a reason not to teach Unitarian Universalism. That interpretation implies that Unitarian Universalism has no center from which we can teach without indoctrination or coercion. That is not my interpretation.
 
It isn't that every individual who comes into our faith communities (by birth or through exploration) must remain always and forever a member, but rather that when we are together we urge our selves and others toward being the best that we can be. Always becoming and becoming and becoming yet again, more fully human.
 
Our job in not to stamp our minds upon the young, however, our job is to share freely that which we find most valuable. Our job is to be in genuine relationship with one another in covenant. Our job is to be deeply Unitarian Universalists who can articulate our faith. Our job is to love one another and the world to the end that people will see this faith, this religion, this spiritual discipline as a viable lifelong path. If they need to explore their depths in another faith after having shared with us the depths of this faith, that is fine. We will leave the door unlocked and a light in the window in case they need to come home.

The UUA Board of Trustees convened in October, and in the report written following the meeting I indicated I would write more about Rev. Peter Morales' thoughts on the "critical" issues facing Unitarian Universalism. In the Trustee report which is available on the District web page I wrote about President Morales' belief that UUs must create a new ministry for a new century. He believes our faith needs to be much more than the "tiny, fringe religion that it is today" and we have not responded effectively for the needs of the liberal spiritual community. Another opportunity we must focus our energy on is growth.
 
Growth of our faith is not something that is just organizationally desirable. According to Pres. Morales it is a moral and religious imperative in a time when our congregations are amidst the spiritually hungry and religiously homeless who need us. Rev. Morales believes we have failed to grow because of the misplaced attention and energy in media campaigns and costly efforts to start large churches. Growing our faith will happen in our existing congregations through quality relationships, quality welcoming, and a sense of mission. Congregations have much to learn from each other. Congregations that have experienced growth have not done so by creating a growth plan but by being passionate about the possibilities and seeking excellence in congregational life. These congregations realize that growth is not a goal, but is a measurement of health and vitality.
 
President Morales says there are things we must do. We must create and sustain a sense of urgency throughout our faith by unleashing the commitment and idealism in our congregations who are on both a visionary and practical path. We need to work with our fastest growing churches in close partnership. They are the folks who know how to grow our faith. We must focus growth efforts by ensuring that our UUA staff is an effective partner to our congregations. Rev. Morales stated UUA field staff must focus their efforts on working with congregations committed to sharing our faith and serve as capable consultants who assist in unleashing the congregation's potential. Our UUA must reorganize the way we deliver services to congregations. According to Rev. Morales there is broad consensus that we should move to a more flexible regional model. New congregations need to be started in growing and underserved areas, using new approaches that build on the expertise of our leading congregations and use the opportunities of modern technology.
 
Whatever your congregation is doing to celebrate the end-of-year holidays I wish your congregation good health and good relationships. Please know I am available for conversation, and/or speaking at a Sunday service. I am usually a phone call (813-931-9727) or email (jlund@uua.org) away. Happy Holidays one and all.