How is a Community Minister Different from a Parish Minister?

I get asked this question a lot!

Community ministry is my Call at this moment. What will the future hold? I know it will include both continuous growth, an expansion of my services, and a deepening of my skills.

When it comes to other aspects of my life, I have been very deliberate, whereas for whatever reason - my ministry has demanded a more organic, go-with-the-flow approach. I continue to embrace the beautiful uncertainty of how my ministry has and continues to unfold.

Below are the words Rev. Dave Clements spoke during my ordination. I couldn't have said it better myself!

“We gather in joy and reverence to mark a sacred moment. The ordination on Ebony into the community ministry of Unitarian Universalist faith.

We celebrate a calling that reaches beyond the walls of this congregation. A community ministry that lives in the streets, in the neighborhoods, in circles of justice and care. In our tradition there are many ways to serve:

(𝟭) A Parish Minister such as myself serves, within a congregation. Preaching, offering pastoral care, guiding the spiritual life of a faith community. And that path involves many years of preparation, discernment, and requires the formal approval through the ministerial fellowship committee through the Unitarian Universalist Association. 

(𝟮) A Community Minster serves in a different but equal sacred way. Through relationships with the wider world. This ministry may be expressed in organizing, teaching, advocacy, or community building. 

A community minister does not hold pastoral or leadership authority within a congregation, but carries the moral authority that comes from living our faith out loud. Showing up where compassion, justice, and courage are needed most. 

Today we are honored to affirm this ministry that takes many forms. We honor Ebony’s call to serve the community. To build bridges of understanding, to organize for justice, to embody love in action. 

So let us open our hearts to this moment. Let us rejoice in the calling of this new community minister. And let us worship together in gratitude, in hope, and in love."

- 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗘𝗯𝗼𝗻𝘆'𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭/𝟭𝟱/𝟮𝟱

✅ Invite me to speak to your professors, supervisors, team leaders, or aspiring leaders for a Lunch-and-Learn, Keynote, or Sermon on 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀. 

I’m also available to facilitate my unique 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. I believe that the best leaders are proactive in preventing sexual harassment. My training satisfies compliance requirements in all states, mitigates risk, and nurtures a healthier workplace. My curriculum includes examples and guidance that lifts the wide spectrum of diversity into its scenarios and best practices.

This includes but isn’t limited to gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, ethnicity, lifestyle, and those living with disabilities. Representation matters. Live, inclusive sexual harassment prevention training can be more meaningful and effective than generic, click-button, self-paced online experiences. This is offered live in person or virtually.

Email me to learn more. I’d love to connect. 💞