There is no one governance style or organizational structure that will suit all congregations. What’s important is clarity about responsibility, authority, and accountability—ideally in contained in well-organized written policies that supplement a lean set of Bylaws. These policies should establish the role of the Board and the Lead Minister (or Executive Team). An essential underlying assumption for any governance structure is that governance and ministry be in conversation with one another.
UU congregations are diverse, with many different approaches to governance. I’ve served congregations with Carver-style policy governance, Hotchkiss policy-based governance, and some with governance rules that were the result of barnacle-like accumulation rather than intention. I’m a fan of intention. For congregational leaders, I often recommend the Governance and Ministry (2nd Ed 2016) by Dan Hotchkiss and Governance as Leadership by Chait, Ryan, and Taylor (2004).
UU congregations are diverse, with many different approaches to governance. I’ve served congregations with Carver-style policy governance, Hotchkiss policy-based governance, and some with governance rules that were the result of barnacle-like accumulation rather than intention. I’m a fan of intention. For congregational leaders, I often recommend the Governance and Ministry (2nd Ed 2016) by Dan Hotchkiss and Governance as Leadership by Chait, Ryan, and Taylor (2004).
