Can you envision our spiritual community continually growing, impacting an ever-widening circle of people, while providing care and support for all and encouraging the expression of everyone's area of genius? That is the path we are on.

On October 10-12, five of us from ALUC trekked down to the Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago for three solid days of training on a church care structure called the Meta Model. Over a hundred ministers and lay leaders from New Thought centers across the country were in attendance. It was so popular this year that they closed registration a month early. Attending with me (Rev. Carol) from ALUC were Molly Hansen, Susan Sigler, Bonnie DeMartini, and Mathea Jacobson.

Just two weeks prior to opening the doors on Abundant Life Unity last year, I attended this training. I was by myself then and representing the only Unity church there. It was a bit overwhelming. But with Spirit guiding the way, my paradigm for what is possible in church completely shifted. It was a delight to bring four others from our year-old church this year. I expected our group to come back with our hair on fire… and we did!

So exactly what is the Meta Model? It’s a way of doing church that ensures every person is lovingly supported, while fostering church growth and not burning out the minister [Amen to that!]. Rather than being minister-centric - where all roads lead to the minister - people are supported through ongoing small groups. Small groups form organically through either natural affiliation [for example people who are interested in outreach, animals, gardening, book discussions, or men’s, women’s, couples, and parents groups, etc.], service [Promotion, Production, Connection Cafe, Welcoming, Music, Special Events, etc.] or operation [Board of Directors and Staff]. Groups aren't stagnant. They grow and people move in and out over time. What every small group has in common are the activities of loving, learning, deciding and doing. Everyone is held in prayer. Group leaders and leaders-in-training are also supported with prayer, coaching and regular leadership training/development opportunities. Everyone is cared for and no one cares for more than 10 people.

You will hear more about this in the coming months. Here are a couple quick takeaways:

1. As your minister, I am committed to accepting outrageous love and support and letting go of activities that are not in my area of genius [versus my areas of competence or even excellence – a sermon series on this is coming…]. I am committed to accepting help and to ensuring self-care so that I do not burn out. Pioneering a church can be heavy lifting and often the pioneering minister starts out by doing everything...

2. Everyone can serve and participate in our church in a way that supports him/her personally and encourages his/her own genius.

3. We will all learn how to provide support and prayer for each other – this does not need to be the role of a chosen few (no worries here, prayer is easy once you realize what it really is).

4. An 8-week Foundations class is under development and will be taught in March/April and September/October of 2012. I am creating this class and inviting anyone who wants to learn more about Unity/ALUC and/or who wants to pursue church membership and group leadership. We will cover our history and basic spiritual principles, how we use the Bible, who Jesus is to us, prosperity, spiritual practice and spiritual life. You will hear more on this soon!

I am excited that we are starting our second year with a firm footing and inspiring vision. We will have so much to celebrate at our second anniversary gathering in 2012.

"All over the country - Judea, Samaria, Galilee - the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully." Acts 9:31