In multiple conversations with our membership a common thread emerged, “Shouldn’t all of our ministries be evolving?”
It is the hope of the Evolving Ministries Coordinator and all UWM staff to provide resources for all our ministries in evolving.
Start a new Unity Ministry or Study Group
Our membership was also very clear that the underlying purpose of all new Unity ministries should be to grow or expand the Unity Movement. And so, we return to where we began by identifying these new ministries as “Expansion Ministries.”
Expansion ministries support our mission by reaching seekers and Spiritual Truth students in new areas across the country. It is an exciting and challenging endeavor and the UWM Evolving Ministries Coordinator is here to offer support, guidance and resources for these new ministries.
There are four types of expansion ministries: Study/Seed Groups, Congregation-based ministries, Community-based ministries, and Service ministries. They are described in more detail below.
Study Groups
These groups have completed their registration with UWM and are formed around common interests and for the purpose of studying and practicing Unity principles. It is our greatest desire that these groups grow into one of the other expressions of ministry.
Leadership
- The group shares leadership responsibilities with support from a certified SpiritGroup facilitator.
Restrictions:
- cannot operate as a non-profit organization (NOP) or provide their contributors tax deductions.
Unity Congregation-based Ministries
Often referred to as "traditional brick/mortar" ministries, their focus is on their members and church community with regular gathering of a congregation or spiritual community in a specified public facility and/or location. They differ from the other two types of ministries in that there is a defined voting membership.
Once approved, the new congregation-based ministry will actively work toward fulfilling the requirements to become a UWM full status member ministry within 3-5 years. (See Full Ministry Status Requirements)
Unity Community-based Ministries
These ministries focus on bringing people together in unique, creative, and powerful ways out in the community to bring Unity teachings and practices to the world. Some of these experiences could be meditation on the beach, classes at a community center or meetups at local coffee shops, restaurants, etc. and would include online experiences.
Community-based ministries function differently than member-based ministry primarily because they do not have a voting membership but are governed by a Steering Team/Board of Directors.
Unity Service-based Ministries
These ministries are focused on providing services for the benefit and betterment of their community, locally and/or globally. This would include social justice work, focused support to disenfranchised groups of people (ex. LGBTIQ), and providing Unity materials, supplies etc. to international students of Truth. In addition, this would also include ministries that are focused on providing services for the health and well-being of Unity ministers and ministries. All services provided must be in alignment with UWM’s vision and mission.
Unity Expansion Ministries Timeline
Questions and Help
Please contact evolve@unity.org if you:
- are interested in starting an expansion ministry and want to explore the idea further.
- would like support for an evolving member ministry or an expansion ministry that is already approved.
- would like to request an application for an expansion ministry or have questions about your packet prior to submission
Expansion Ministries Connection Calls
View the call-in information and instructions.
Evolving Ministries Semi-Annual Report
- Semi-annual reports are due May 1 for the reporting period October 1 of prior year - March 31.
- Semi-annual reports are due November 1 for the reporting period April 1 – September 30.
