von Courter, Wendy2017-06-282017-06-282017https://hdl.handle.net/2144/22615Unitarian Universalist congregations suffer from short-term ministries, requiring focus on transition rather than faith development and congregational vision. This thesis suggests that long-term ministries are advantageous, and explores factors contributing to effective long-term ministries. The method was to interview clergy serving eight or more years in congregations and following other long-term ministers. Interviewees were then brought into dialogue with leadership theory, theology, and past studies of the topic. The analysis reveals benefits for Unitarian Universalist long-term ministries, including increased stability, trust, vision, resilience, and spiritual maturity. The thesis concludes with proposals to support long-term ministries more widely in Unitarian Universalism.en-USAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ReligionConflict managementCongregational leadershipCongregational lifeHealthy congregationsLong-term ministryLong-term pastoratesThesis/Dissertation2017-05-22