Congregational Growth

The Ballou Channing District is dedicated to the health, growth and vitality of Unitarian Universalism and our member congregations.  The following is an overview of the growth services and support availabel to your congregation through our district.  For a compilation of resources related to congregational growth visit our growth resources page.

Ballou Channing District Growth Consultant

Peter Bowden works with our district as an engaged consultant. His work with us is focused on congregational growth, faith development, youth and young adult ministry.  The scope of this work includes leading trainings, contributing to district communications, and offering brief consultations.  Peter offers additional services including retreat faciitation, guest speaking and more extensive consultations on a fee for service basis.

Peter Bowden
(617) 744-9784 Peter's Office
(857) 928-1896 Cell
Peter's Blog: uugrowth.com
Email Peter

Workshops & Trainings

The Ballou Channing District sponsors and co-sponsors a wide variety programs.  This includes programming offered through our Fall and Spring district conferences, half and full-day Saturday workshops, evening job-a-like networking events and our new webinar series. 

• Upcoming Conferences & Events
• View Full District Calendar

UU Growth Webinar Series

Peter Bowden is coordinating an ongoing series of webinars on topics related to congregational health, growth and vitality. Using the UUA’s webinar platform  (Persony) and a corresponding conference call, participants are able to listen to presentations, see slides, virtually raise hands, comment and ask questions. 

• Look for Upcoming Webinars 

Mystery Visitor Program

The Ballou Channing District coordinates a "Mystery Visitor" program to help assess the strengths and weaknesses of participating congregations welcoming of newcomers.  Often its hard to look at our own work and ministry objectively. The Mystery Visitor Program is a great way to get feedback from the perspective of someone from outside your congregation.

• Program Description (PDF)
• Enrollment Form (PDF)
  
• Reporting Form (Doc)

Growth Resources

There are many outstanding growth resources available online and for order.  Below are links to resource compilations as well as a selection of resources we don't want you to miss. 

Resource Compilations

• A-Z Index of all UUA Resources
• UUA Growth Resources
• InterConnections newsletter and archive
• UUA WorshipWeb Updated & Expanded
• Resources for UU Membership Professionals
• Peter Bowden's UU Growth Blog and UU Growth Facebook page

Popular Resources from the UUA

• Breakthrough Congregation Videos & Transcripts
• Congregational Handbook: Develop a Healthy and Vital UU Congregation
• Adding Worship Services (PDF, 49 pages)
• Size Transitions in UU Congregations (PDF, 7 pages)
• Congregational Growth in Unitarian Universalism (PDF, 23 pages)
• Effective Congregational Committees (PDF, 36 pages)
• The Membership Journey (PDF, 52 pages)
•  Websites for Congregations

Videos for UU Leaders

The following video player from Peter Bowden's UU TV website features a compilation of videos of particular interest to leaders of our congregations. You may watch more of UU TV online at unitarianuniversalism.tv.