Developmental Goals for 2019 - 2022

In August of 2019, in cooperation with the Southern Region Congregational Life Staff and the UUA Office of Transitions, Greater Nashville UU entered a period of developmental ministry with the Rev. Cynthia Cain.

Developmental ministry is an intentional period of time, usually 3 to 5 years, during which a congregation works on strategic goals to strengthen its institutions and deepen its understanding of Unitarian Universalism. Each congregation’s developmental ministry is unique. The goals for developmental ministry are set by the elected Board in cooperation with the Minister.

These are the Developmental Ministry goals for Greater Nashville UU…

I. Develop a culture of “the heart and the head” which lifts-up the congregation and supports the alignment of our programming with our mission.

II. Conduct appropriate after-pastor work as we develop the tools and skills to acknowledge our past while confidently embracing our new identity.

III. Further strengthen the congregation’s institutional ability to hold healthy and appropriate boundaries with mature conflict management skills.

IV. Further strengthen our engagement with the UUA and continue to  mature our Unitarian Universalist identity.

V. Develop appropriate trust in elected leadership and a healthy respect for ministerial authority, within the context of the Governance and Ministry model.

Progress Made in 2018-2019

  1. Complete the UUA Ministerial Exit process. (IV, V)

  2. Complete the UUA Developmental Ministry search process. (IV, V)

  3. Complete the UUA Interim Ministry search process. (IV, V)

  4. Work with the UUA Transitions Office to identify a minister for our pulpit. (IV, V)

  5. Publish a code of conduct to supplement our Congregational Covenant. (III)

  6. Complete our Recovenanting Membership Policy. (III)

  7. Participate in the NOAH Issues Convention process (I, V)

Progress Made in 2019-2020

  1. In rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregation pivoted to virtual worship. (I)

  2. Board and Ministry leadership developed clear and transparent lines of communication to rapidly respond to evolving information from public health officials. (III, V)

  3. Board and Ministry leadership established clear mechanisms to communicate with the congregation to keep them up to date on policy and ministry changes. (III, V)

  4. Board held open meetings to gather feedback from the congregation. (III, V)

  5. Board clearly identified Ministerial actions and reinforced Ministerial decisions that fall within the scope of Ministerial Authority. (V)

  6. Board continued to explain the boundaries of its authority to help the congregation understand the complementary roles of the Board and Minister. (V)

  7. Board and Ministry Leadership work in a collaborative manner to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic following best practices published by the UUA and local health officials. (III, IV)

  8. The Minister publishes a frequent “Minister’s Notes” column on the website and in the newsletter , where she does developmental minister work: offering pastoral counseling, sharing uplifting messages with wisdom for UU’s; and by making contemporary prophetic UU social justice appeals.The “Minister’s Notes” align with, supplement, and add to homilies she’s given. (I, III, IV, V)

This is a living document which will be continuously revised. Latest revision: 6/30/2020.