Evolving Ministries Application

Evolving Ministries Application Webform

Please fill out the questions below. If any of the questions do not apply to you for any reason, mark N/A. The bottom of this document provides areas to UPLOAD required documentation.

The Evolving Ministries application requires uploads of the following items. Have these documents prepared and ready to upload BEFORE starting the application process:

Resume Credential Unity Leader
Resume of Other (if applicable) Credentialed Unity Leader
Proposed budget with projected income and expenses for the first year of operation (see sample line-item budget)
Affiliation agreement from sponsoring minister/ministry (if affiliated with a Unity ministry) see sponsoring minister document | see sponsoring ministry document
Proposed bylaws using the bylaws template found on this page. See sample template: Unity ministry template | Community & service based template

SECTION I APPLICANT INFORMATION

Type of Ministry

Congregation-based: regular gatherings in a specified public facility or location.

Community-based: regular meetings out in the community.

Service-based: providing services for the local and/or global community.

More detailed descriptions can be found on the webpage here

Contact Name

Current Mailing Address

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Telephone

Proposed Name of Ministry: The name MUST include the word Unity or a reference to UWM.

Current Address if there is a physical location:

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

SECTION II LEADERSHIP

Name of Credentialed Unity Leader (Upload resume below):

Credential (Check One)

Licensed Unity Minister

Ordained Unity Minister

Licensed Unity Teacher

Date of credentialing

Current Mailing Address if different from ministry:

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Telephone

Name of Other Credentialed Unity Leader (Upload resume below):

Credential (Check One)

Licensed Unity Minister

Ordained Unity Minister

Licensed Unity Teacher

Date of credentialing

Current Mailing Address if different from ministry:

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Telephone

How many proposed board members do you have? Please provide their name and contact information below

1. Name

2. Name

3. Name

4. Name

5. Name

6. Name

SECTION III MINISTRY INFORMATION

Take time now for some introspective reflection (and possibly some prayer) before answering the following questions about WHY you are in ministry. Please be succinct, limiting each response to 3-4 sentences.

WHY are you starting this ministry?

What is this ministry’s mission and vision?

As an approved Unity ministry, the ministry's Purpose Statement in the ministry bylaws need to state direct alignment with #3 of UWM’s Articles of Incorporation and Unity Purpose as outlined in Section 1 of the bylaws.

BYLAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF UNITY CHURCHES, INC.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES Section 1. Unity Purpose. All members of Unity Worldwide Ministries are dedicated to teaching the Truth of Jesus Christ as interpreted in the light of modern-day experience by Unity Worldwide Ministries and Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village, as inspired by the teachings of its co-founders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. The Unity Worldwide Ministries and its members shall welcome all people into membership and activities regardless of race, color, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, or sexual orientation. The Unity Worldwide Ministries is dedicated to the coordination, assistance, and strengthening of all members. The Unity Worldwide Ministries and its

Articles of Incorporation for Unity Association of Churches dba Unity Worldwide Ministries

#3. Said corporation is organized exclusively for religious purposes and its object is to improve, develop, and strengthen the unity movement through the development of Unity churches, Unity school expansion programs, the Unity ministers’ association, Silent Unity, college-oriented training programs in connection with the Unity School of Christianity at Lees Summit, MO, printing services radio and educational media, and any other activities or programs which in the opinion of the board of trustees would result in a strong worldwide movement devoted to the spread of practical Christianity and the development of strong and vital unity students, unity ministers, and unity churches.

How does this ministry’s mission and vision align with these foundational statements?

Describe the services, classes, and programs you will offer to meet your vision/mission

Describe how you will incorporate Unity principles and teachings into this ministry

SECTION IV MINISTRY PROMOTION

Describe your advertising/marketing strategy

SECTION V MINISTRY LAUNCH

Describe the members of your launch team/steering committee (who are they, roles & responsibilities):

List 3 priorities before startup/launch date:

List 3 priorities for your first year:

SECTION VI MINISTRY DEMOGRAPHICS

In this section take time for some introspective reflection (and possibly some prayer) before answering the following questions about your WHO. Please be specific and succinct, limiting each response to 3-4 sentences.

Refer to DESGINING YOUR MINISTRY HANDOUT

WHO is your target audience?

What does your target audience need?

What is your target audience interested in? (May differ from what you believe they need.)

What does your target audience enjoy? (How to engage or keep them coming back.)

Where do you find your target audience?

How will you reach your target audience?

Describe the services, classes, and programs you will offer to meet the needs/interests of your target audience?

In the spirit of collaboration, if there are other Unity ministries providing the same services to the same target population, describe your efforts to communicate with the leaders of these ministries.

SECTION VII MINISTRY FUNDING

Describe how you will generate a sustainable income for your ministry

UPLOAD supporting documentation at the bottom of this application

SECTION VIII MINISTRY TYPE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Select your planned ministry type below to open questions specific to your ministry type.

Congregation-based: regular gatherings in a specified public facility or location.

Community-based: regular meetings out in the community.

Service-based: providing services for the local and/or global community.

Congregation Based Questions

How will your members gather? (specific location, days, times & types of gathering):

How will you build ownership/membership in your ministry?

Describe the ministry’s process for becoming a member

Community-Based Questions

What type of community activities are you planning to build connections with the greater community?

How will you build a sense of community within your ministry?

How will you introduce Unity teachings to this community?

Service-Based Questions

What services will you be providing?

How are these services for the benefit and betterment of your community, locally and/or globally?

If this ministry is focused on providing services for the health and well-being of Unity ministers and/or ministries, how will your services accomplish this?

How are these services provided in alignment with UWM’s vision and mission?

SECTION IX BACKGROUND CHECK

Leaders of Unity ministries are expected to maintain a current (every three years) national Criminal background check clearance. Before paying for this service, please check with the UWM evolving ministry team to determine if your background screening has expired.

Payments for criminal background checks are done via the UWM website. | Unity Worldwide Ministries

The fee for a criminal background check is $50.00

To make a payment go to Unity Worldwide Ministries and click on the “Fees” button on the upper right side of the home page. Choose Background check and complete the payment form. Remember to click “Place Order” when you are complete.

After you have made your payment, you will receive an email from 1st Advantage (Unity Worldwide Ministries DBA do_no-reply@FADV.com) directing you through the secure process of entering your personal information for the background screening to be completed. Watch your spam/junk folder!

SECTION X REGIONAL REP. RECOMMENDATION SENT DIRECTLY TO UWM

Enter the name and email address for your regional rep. They will receive an email request for recommendation directly from UWM and will be able to submit it directly back to us.

Regional Representative Name

Regional Representative Email

SECTION XI UPLOAD SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Resume Credentialed Unity Leader

Resume of Other Credentialed Unity Leader

UPLOAD PROPOSED BUDGET

include a budget with projected income and expenses for first year of operation

UPLOAD PROPOSED BYLAWS

Use the BYLAWS template found on the Evolving Ministries webpage

UPLOAD AFFILIATION AGREEMENT FROM SPONSORING MINISTER/MINISTRY

If affiliated with a Unity ministry

UNITY WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES

CODE OF ETHICS, SEXUAL CONDUCT POLICY, & SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & SIGNATURE FORM

I acknowledge that I have received and thoroughly read a copy of Unity Worldwide Ministries (UWM) Code of Ethics for Unity Leaders, the Sexual Conduct Policy also called Policy on Credentialed Leadership Sexual Conduct in Ministry: Appropriate Relationship Boundaries in Ministry, and the Social Media Policy.

I acknowledge that I am expected to know, be familiar with, and behave in alignment with the contents of the above-mentioned policies. I understand and agree that:

CODE OF ETHICS

I sincerely devote myself to living in accord with this Code in letter and in spirit.

I recognize our Unity Worldwide Ministries and this code of ethics as a framework in which I individually agree to function.

I recognize that such an agreement augments our mutual and individual effectiveness.

SEXUAL CONDUCT POLICY

As a credentialed leader, I am responsible for maintaining the boundaries of the pastoral relationship.

A variety of behaviors, some of which do not include physical contact, constitute sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct is grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of employment or suspension from service.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

As a credentialed leader, I am to refrain from posting content and images that may be considered defamatory, pornographic, harassing, libelous, racist, sexist, or may create a hostile work environment.

I may not make social media posts on behalf of a Unity organization unless I have authorization from the leadership of that center, ministry, or organization.

I am to adhere to UWM ethical standards when making public posts from any personal account.

I am to refrain from sharing information considered to be confidential.

I am to obtain appropriate permission to use Unity or third-party copyrights, copyrighted material, trademarks, images, service marks, or other intellectual property.

I am to obtain appropriate permission as indicated in the Social Media policy before live streaming, video filming, posting, or sharing images of children and youth.

I am to refer all external media inquiries to the organization’s leadership.

These policies may be updated from time to time, and I will be responsible for reading and complying with the updates. Additionally, these policies do not create or affect any contract of employment and in no way limit the rights of Unity Worldwide Ministries to change its policies or procedures described herein.

Full Name

Signature acknowledging CODE OF ETHICS, SEXUAL CONDUCT POLICY, & SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

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Today's Date

I acknowledge that all information on this application is accurate.

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