Who's in Charge Here?: The Complex Relationship Between Ministry and Authority

The 2013 Commission on Appraisal report looks at the historical and social context that creates the conditions for Unitarian Universalists' struggles with ministry and authority. It considers what we mean by ministry and authority. Who has authority in our congregations? Who does not? What kinds of conflicts arise around these questions, and how can we address them in ways that are in harmony with our Unitarian Universalist aspirations and Principles?

The Commission on Appraisal was inaugurated by the bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961 as a nine-member body. It is charged to review, study, and report on any function or activity of the Association that would benefit from an independent review, and to report the results at least once every four years to the General Assembly.


The members of this Commission are

Rev. Erica Baron, Rutland, VT
Rev. John Cullinan, Los Alamos, NM
Megan Dowdell, Oakland, CA
Peter Fontneau, Springfield, VA
Rev. Lynne Garner, Brunswick, GA
Bev Harrison, Campbell, CA, and Foster, RI
Rev. Dr. Nana' Kratochvil, Muskegon, MI