Purpose
The purpose provision of the bylaws is important, as it distinguishes the congregation from other institutions in the community and sets out the basic parameters for all the activity of the congregation. Each and every program should be able to be justified by, and encompassed within, the purpose section of the bylaws. Therefore, the purpose section should be drawn broadly enough to incorporate the dreams and visions of the congregation, while also being tight enough to provide focus for the work of the congregation.The congregation must decide whether it wishes to incorporate the language of the UUA's (Unitarian Universalist Association) Principles (Article II, Section C-2.1, of the UUA Bylaws) in its own bylaws. A wide diversity of opinion exists on this practice. Some people feel that this practice ties their congregation more strongly into our larger Association and that the Principles provide a good focus for their congregational life. Others feel that the Principles used in such a manner are too close to a creed, challenging our historic approach of nurturing freedom of belief without the hindrance of a creed. Each congregation will need to wrestle with this question, as well as with the question of whether or not God, or any named manifestation of God, is named in its purpose. If a congregation does decide to include the Principles of the UUA, it should pay careful attention to the language it uses. (Frequently, people erroneously refer to the Principles as the "Principles and Purposes." Although this is the name of Article II in the UUA Bylaws, the Purpose of the UUA is to "serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles" [UUA Bylaws, Section C-2.2]. Congregations should be careful not to commit themselves to activities they have no intention of fulfilling by the use of sloppy nomenclature.)
Further, particular attention must be paid to ensuring that the language of the congregation's purpose complies with whatever legal restrictions are necessary to protect the congregation's status as both a religious institution and a nonprofit organization at the state and local levels. Likewise, as congregations enter into strategic or long-term planning, add new programmatic elements, or reduce major initiatives, they should take care to ensure that the purposes provision does not require revision.
Sample Provisions
Example 1: The purpose of this fellowship is to further individual freedom of belief, discipleship to advancing truth, the democratic process in human relations, brotherhood and sisterhood undivided by nation, race or creed, and allegiance to the cause of a united world community.
Example 2: The purpose of this church is to foster liberal religious living through worship, study, service, and fellowship.
Example 3: The _____ _____ _____ Church, Unitarian-Universalist is a congregation of families and individuals organized to function as a spiritual community that promotes opportunities for liberal religious growth and expression for children, youth, and adults, with a special emphasis on people of African descent. We promote and affirm the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We intend to carry out this mission by:
- Placing specific emphasis on the recruitment of persons of African descent and working for their cultural, economic, political, social, and spiritual empowerment;
- Providing opportunities for children, youth, and adults to learn about cultural and religious issues within an open, caring, and enriching environment;
- Creating a spiritual environment in which people of diverse cultural, ethnic, racial, economic, and religious backgrounds can learn to understand, respect, appreciate, and love one another; and
- Promoting social justice in all arenas as an imperative for the development of an economically just, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious, sexually equitable, and environmentally conscious democratic society.
Additional examples of purposes >
For more information contact growthresources @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
