Author: Peter Bowden

Promoting connection, meaning, and engagement with the issues shaping our world today. Trainer, coach, and strategist working with leaders across industries. From local nonprofits and congregations to decentralized community group networks.

Live Session: Lifespan Small Group Ministry Approach to UU Religious Exploration

Live session exploring using a lifepan small group ministry model as the engine for our Unitarian Universalist religious exploration, leadership development, and justice work with children, youth, young adults, and adults. Video was recorded in our UU PLANET Community Group on August 14, 2018.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRy0NyvTch8 LIVE SESSION: Using SMALL GROUP MINISTRY QUESTIONS FOR YOU: … Continue reading Live Session: Lifespan Small Group Ministry Approach to UU Religious Exploration →

New UUA Congregations Reaching Out Toolkit

Social Media

I'm excited to share the new Congregations Reaching Out Toolkit with you! I'm always sharing great UUA resources, but this one is special. I had the opportunity to work with the UUA Outreach Team on its development. It represents a fantastic collaboration and synthesis of many best practices and recommended outreach strategies. if you are interested in UU growth, outreach, and social media, make sure to share the toolkit with your leadership.

Facebook Changes: What Your UU Congregation Needs to Know

Facebook Changes - A briefing for Congregations

Facebook’s recently announced changes are going to have a huge impact on congregational pages. Here’s a briefing on the changes and why you may want to consider incorporating a congregation-wide Facebook group into your strategy. This is food for thought.   You should talk how to respond with your ministry communications team. Don't have a … Continue reading Facebook Changes: What Your UU Congregation Needs to Know →

Welcome Show and Tell: UU Congregation of Phoenix, AZ

First in our UU welcome table "show and tell" series is the UU Congregation of Phoenix, AZ. The average guest visiting a congregations decides if they are going to come back within minutes of being on site. How we welcome guests is critical! This is a problem for our congregations with cringe worthy welcome tables, cobweb covered welcome nooks hidden in dark corners, and in some cases nothing at all. To help inspire taking our welcoming environments to the next level, I've invited members of the UU Growth Lab to join in a little welcome table show and tell.

UU Ice Breaker Bingo

This UU Ice Breaker Bingo activity was created by me, Peter Bowden, and the Rev. Amy Freedman. It was designed specifically for a religious education parent community building event. Download UU Ice Breaker Bingo:Icebreaker Bingo (updated 10/20/17) DOC Icebreaker Bingo (updated 10/20/17) PDF Example Board For best results CUSTOMIZE the boards to better fit the group … Continue reading UU Ice Breaker Bingo →

Why I hate special church visitor mugs and you probably should too

A question I am often asked in the context of my trainings with congregations is “Do special church visitor mugs work?” My answer? NO!!! In fact, in most cases I find special visitor mugs do harm.

Emerson’s Transparent Eyeball Coloring Page

Recently my wife, the Rev. Amy Freedman, asked me to make an easel pad sized version of the classic Ralph Waldo Emerson "Transparent Eyeball" illustration by Christopher Pearse Cranch (ca. 1836-1838).  She wanted the large version to use in a message for all ages at First Parish in Concord, MA.  Read Amy's post about the … Continue reading Emerson’s Transparent Eyeball Coloring Page →

UU Chalice with Hands Image for Word Art

An image Amy Freedman and I made years ago for a t-shirt has resurfaced as the basis for Unitarian Universalist Word Art! This post shares the original image and website for making your own.

Don’t let ANXIETY and UNCERTAINTY keep people from visiting your congregation

People who are anxious and uncertain are less likely to visit congregations. You can help them eliminate the anxiety and uncertainty by actively doing one thing -- ANSWER ALL THEIR QUESTIONS. And you can do it online. Here's how.

5 Ways Social Media is Changing How People Join Congregations

With approximately seven-in-ten Americans now using at least one social media site (Pew Internet), faith leaders can’t afford to ignore the impacts of digital culture. Here are five ways social media is changing the process of connecting with and joining congregations.