Doing the Hustle

Religious professionals who are consultants/entrepreneurial/freelance (of which I am one) would like to have a word.

NOTE: This is aimed at Unitarian Universalists, but it may also apply to readers in other faith traditions.

I am writing this word because of - not surprisingly - a series of conversations with people who, like me, do their ministry through consultations, workshops, retreats, speaking opportunities, and preaching to/with our congregations. I know there are community ministers who work outside of the faith, but some of us have a particular interest within the faith.

So first, some basics about the landscape:

First, we know that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is an association of Congregations, and that congregations is the discrete unit and focus of who we are and what we do. It’s clear from the way we count ourselves, connect ministries, and offer support and various services, that everything is done through the lens of congregations.

We know that the associated members of the UUA are small in number compared to other religious bodies. This means there is only so much support to go around from the Association.

We also know that some of our congregations need more support than the UUA can provide, and so they either hire someone from outside, or they go without. Some of you don’t even know they can hire someone from outside, so they’re missing the services they need but can’t seem to find.

We who are consultants have specialized knowledge that a parish minister may not have; they are generalists (and thank all that is holy for them), so they know something about conflict/DEI/leadership/worship/education/justice work - but they may not have the dedicated skills needed. (This is the difference, for example, between your GP and the cardiologist.) And some of us have been around for a very long time, choosing this kind of community ministry/consultancy when it was clear that we needed more specialists and support.

Of course, some of you have hired some of us as consultants/teachers/speakers, or have seen us post on social media, or have heard us speak. You have loved what we have to offer, you rely on our wisdom, and you praise us when you see us.

But here is the problem:

First, compliments alone don’t pay the bills. Our work relies on your recommendations and passing the word along. Exposure isn’t enough, and just because someone got a major award or delivered a major lecture does not mean they have directly benefited from that exposure

Second, using our content for free doesn’t pay the bills. Yes, we give a lot away through social media because it is how we gain profile. But you should not try to create your own program based on our free sharing unless we’ve explicitly said so.

Third, it is true that we go to every conference and retreat we can manage, because it is how we network and gain profile. And that’s expensive, so we try to get work at the event or apply for scholarships because we don’t have professional expenses.

Fourth, we could use a little less blowback when it comes to promotion and marketing. Yes, what we do is ministry, and we do it because of a call to this work. But unlike a parish minister (and the various ways they get hired), we don’t have an automatic system for people to learn about and hire us. We have to market ourselves. We have to network and promote and not be shamed for doing so, and… back to my first point, we rely on your recommendations.

Fifth, even though we might be established, and even though we may be active on social media, we may not necessarily be busy. In fact, we probably aren’t. I have personally surprised more than one person this summer by saying “I need work” because they just assumed my dance card was full. It isn’t. And others I’ve talked to (and who sparked this post) don’t have full dance cards either.

Sixth, we need to do a better job of defining ‘community ministry’ - I recently heard about a program to provide funding for community ministers, only to find out it was for people working outside of our religious structures (literally out in the community) rather than working within our religious structures, inside our UU communities.

Seventh, we need to shift our understanding of congregational improvements to mean more than fixing the roof or adding an awning or worse, just saving for an emergency. We are in emergency conditions now, and the more you can do to improve your programming, your covenants, your relationships, your justice work, and your ministries, the better suited you will be to meet the moment. Seriously. Pay the consultants.

Is this a bit of a rant? Absolutely. And it’s long overdue (sorry to those who hoped I’d post this ages ago… oops.)

And no shade to the congregation I serve part time, but one of the biggest reasons I sought a part time parish job was because the hustle wasn’t producing enough income, and I am extraordinarily lucky to have found a lovely congregation where our ministry together is thriving. But it’s part time, and I remain underemployed.

And I’m not the only one.

Lots of us are out there, eager to hear from you. We have expertise. Knowledge. An ability to support the work you’re trying to do, with new perspectives and maybe a new way to get at some of the issues you face. If you’ve heard us/learned from us, for goodness’ sake, tell others about us.

We are going to keep marketing, and being in all the places, and posting everywhere, on the off chance we’ll get a nibble. But we need you to notice, to share, and to help us help you.

It’s rough out there, and we all need one another.

A few of the many consultants who have really great things going on that you should totally hire them for:

CB Beal - promoting preemptive radical inclusion

Transforming Hearts Collective - educating about LGBTQIA+ inclusion

Leela Sinha - coaching for intensive folk

Bailey Whiteman - supporting transitions in music professionals

Sacred Depths - deepening connection through creativity and contemplation

JeKaren Bell - centering love through ancestry and creative expression

Julica Hermann de la Fuente - guiding our justice work with joy

Laura Horton-Ludwig - coaching and deepening for sensitive souls

Nourish - nourishing bodies and spirits through food and ritual

Chalice Tax - making clergy taxes easy

UU Spiritual Directors - many beloveds doing one-on-one and group soul support

And of course, me - creating more artful and art-filled worship, congregational life, and leadership

I know there are many many more out there - ask the people you know working in other congregations for recommendations, make recommendations to others too. And if you’re on the list of consultants that I forgot to/didn’t know to list, offer yours in the comments!