Barry, Bryan W. Strategic Planning Workbook for Nonprofit Organizations. Chapters include "Introduction to Strategic Planning - What, Why, and How," "Developing Your Strategic Plan - Getting Organized, Taking Stock, Developing a Strategy, Drafting and Refining the Plan, Implementing the Plan," and samples of strategic plans, bibliography, and worksheets. St. Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 1993. $25.00

*Callahan, Kennon L. Twelve Keys to an Effective Church: Strategic Planning for Mission. An important book based on years of congregational research that focuses on 12 areas that determine viability and excellence in congregational life. Provides a how-to guide for congregations wanting to evaluated their own effectiveness and to build on meaningful strengths for the future. Helps congregations set realistic goals for their futures in 12 different areas important to excellence in congregational life. Must be translated from its Christian context. We have an Ethical Culture Study Guide that will be sent our with sets of books available from the AEU Offices for Society study. San Francisco, CA: Harper, 1983. $13.00

_________________ Twelve Keys to an Effective Church: The Leader's Guide. A guide for leader's who want to facilitate their congregation's study of the twelve keys concept, with in-depth issues of congregational life, success and failure. Helping congregations to develop a do-able plan which starts with and builds on current strengths and then moves on to more challenging aspects to develop a more effective and meaningful congregation. San Francisco, CA: Harper, $13.00

—————-—— Twelve Keys to an Effective Church: The Planning Workbook. Easy-to-use workbook offers clear instructions to accomplish the four stages of effective long-range planning. San Francisco, CA: Harper $6.95

Carver, John. Boards that make a Difference: A new design for leadership in nonprofit and public organizations. Presents radically new model for board governance that energizes board members to build a strong vibrant organization that achieves it goals. Chapters include: "A New Vision for Governing Boards," "Making Meetings Work," "Designing Policies That Make a Difference," "Clarifying and Sustaining the Organization Mission," "The Board Executive Relationship," "Strategies for Board Leadership," "Officers and Committees". San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1990. $30.00

Dobrin, Arthur. Ethical Humanism in Brief. Explanation of Ethical Humanism which encompass 5 principles. 1. Each and every person has inherent worth. 2. Each person is unique. 3. We are responsible to help improve the quality of life for ourselves and fellow beings. 4. Ethics is derived from human experience. 5. Life is sacred. Long Island, NY: Ethical Humanist Society. $2.50

Dobrin, Arthur. The God Within. A brief introduction to parts of religions and cultures which emphasize humanist and ethical beliefs and which are part of the tradition that led to the religion of Ethical Culture. New York, NY: Ethica Press. $5.00

Harris, John C. Stress, Power and Ministry. Explores relationship between the work of the clergy person and the life of the congregation. Includes: "Adaptation and Leadership," "The Dilemma within Congregational Lire," "Elements of Rebirth," "What is Meaningful Power for a Parish Pastor," "Pastor and Congregation: A Fragile Arrangement," "Effective Influence and the Fear of Powerlessness," Acquiring Power to Lead." The Alban Institute. $9.95

Hunter, Dale, Anne Bailey, and Bill Taylor. The Art of Facilitation: How To Create Group Synergy. Divided into 4 major components - exploring the concept of facilitation, a toolkit that includes facilitative designs for all kinds of programs as well as a training program, a section of interviews with experienced facilitators, and further resources -this book provides a superb training resource for facilitators and enables group members to understand facilitation and to take on this role themselves, providing access to the source of group empowerment and the creation of group synergy. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books, 1995. $17.95

Johnson, Barry, Ph.D. Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems. Discussion of leadership, decision making, and dilemmas of individual freedom versus group cooperation. Subjects covered are as follows: Teamwork is not a solution, breathing new life into your organization, the misunderstood leader, being "right" is the easy step, crusading & tradition bearing. a problem to solve or a polarity to manage, plus others. Amherst,MA: HRD Press, Inc., 1977. $19.95

Johnson, Douglas W. The care a feeding of volunteers. Explores the unique motivations, ambitions, and needs of these valuable individuals, empnasizing what makes a volunteer want to work. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1978. $7.95

Kehler, Randall, Andrea Ayvazian and Ben Senturia. Thinking Strategically: A Primer on Long-Range Strategic Planning For Grassroots Peace and Justice Organizations. Hands on resource for grassroots peace and justice groups interested in exploring long-range strategic planning. Amherst, MA: Exchange Project, Peace Development Fund. $10.00

Kemper, Robert G. Beginning a New Pastorate. For new Leaders, a nitty-gritty discussion of beginning a new pastorate - what it means to move, how to look at a potential pastorate, making decisions, negotiations, giving yourself time and space, learning the new works, passage: when you are no longer the new leader. Nashville.TN: Abingdon Press, 1978. $7.95

Ketcham, Bunty. So You're on the Search Committee. Provides a search committee with a step-by-step approach to their task, including some of the real issues involved in the search and hiring process for professional religious leadership. Washington, DC: The Alban Institute, 1985. $6.95

Lawson, Leslie Griffin, Franklyn D. Donant and John D.Lawson. Lead On! The Complete Handbook for Group Leaders. An indispensable guide for leaders of youth clubs, service clubs, church programs and other programs. Discusses leadership style, motivating members, communicating, building a leadership team, developing active members, setting goals, solving problems, effective committees, presiding at meetings, managing conflict, publicity, evaluation, developing new leaders. San Luis Obispo, CA: Impact Publishers, 1982. $8.95

Leas, Speed B. Leadership and Conflict An expert in congregational conflict discusses issues: subordination, functions of leadership in conflict: finding goals and means of achieving them, fear and conflict, surfacing submerged conflict, system and environment affects on conflict management, curbing conflict, encouraging conflict, self-defense. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1982. $7.95

Lewis, G. Douglass. Resolving Church Conflicts: A Case Study Approach for Local Congregations. Offers insights into why disagreements emerge in congregations and shows how they can be occasions for new creativity and growth for individuals and institutions. This books covers the nature of conflict, principles and style for conflict management. San Francisco, CA: Harper & Row, 1981. $9.95

Linn, Jan G. What Church Members Wish Ministers Knew. This book speaks to the clergy on behalf of the laity to tell them that church members don't get paid, church members are only human, church members want ministers to succeed, disagreement is not nonsupport and ministerial can get in the way. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 1995. $13.35

Mead, Loren B. Critical Moment of Ministry: a change of pastors. Sees pastoral change as an opportunity for long-range planning. Focus on the following tasks: termination, direction-finding, self-study, search, decision/negotiation, installation, start-up. Larger developmental issues - coming to terms with history, discovering a new identity, allowing needed leadership change. Interim leadership. Washington, DC: Alban, 1986. $8.95 2.

Mead, Loren B. More Than Numbers: The Ways Churches Grow. The author talks about how real churches grow, or don't, with a growth grid study framework including, numerical growth, maturational growth, organic growth and incarnational growth. [A translation of the grid into Ethical Culture terms is available in AEU office and will be sent out with this book] Washington, DC: Alban Institute Publication, 1993. $10.95

Morrison, Emily Kittle. Leadership Skills: Developing Volunteers for Organizational Success. A complete handbook to help you build leadership skills, starting with the basics of leadership to achieving the best, most productive work from volunteers. Learn how to conduct an effective meeting, establish goals, manage time, set priorities, create publicity, create unity within committees, enhance motivation, solve problems, communicate effectively, identify nonproductive behavior, evaluate group effectiveness, delegate responsibility and develop commitment and involvement. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Boob. 1994. $16.95

Nelson, C. Ellis. Congregations: Their Power to Form and Transform. Contributions from 10 leaders experienced in congregational affairs. Some chapters cover memory in congregational life, congregation as chameleon: how the present interprets the past, why do people congregate, using church images for commitment, conflict, and renewal, centers of vision of energy, meeting in silence, meditation as the center of congregational life. Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1971. $14.25

Olsen, Charles M. Transforming Church Boards into Communities of Spiritual Leaders. This book provides a model for a new way of working on church boards that can be fulfilling instead of draining, that boards can become the focus point not only for fiscal responsibility but for the congregation's spiritual life. Although it will need to be translated for Ethical Culture, this book offers a program of four transformational practices that can make all the difference to the congregation and its trustees. Washington, DC: The Alban Institute, 1995. $14.50

Oswald, Roy M. Making Your Church More Inviting: A Step-by-step Guide for In-Church Training. for churches who wish to grow with integrity, not violating people's boundaries, not promoting sectarianism and not catering to the consumerism of our culture. It's sessions include building the team, changing sizes of congregations, the listening to the wisdom of newcomers, understanding one's history, discovering the hidden norms of your congregation, who is welcome, and being welcoming to children and families. Can be used as a guide for developing a membership-growth training program although the content will need to be translated for Ethical Culture. Washington, DC: The Alban Institute, 1992. $14.95

Oswald, Roy M. and Speed B. Leas. The Inviting Church: a study of new member assimilation. Keys to assimilating new members with balance between sound philosophy and practical counsel. Church growth and factors outside and within the control of the congregation, church size and assimilation, attracting and recruiting new members and resolving the question of whether or not to grow. Washington. DC: The Alban Institute, 1987. $11.95

Parsons, George. Intervening in a Church Fight: A Manual for Internal Consultants. Based on years of research with congregations in conflict, this is a step-by- step guide to building a conflict management process within a congregation, delineating clear roles, norms, and expectations. Washington, DC: The Alban Institute, 1989. $11.25

Parsons, George and Speed B. Leas. Understanding Your Congregation As A System. This book offers an incisive instrument [An Ethical Culture version of this instrument is available from the AEU Office for measuring systems dynamics and a manual for applying the findings to systemic change - reducing the excesses on either end of the systems way of functioning. Chapters cover the tyranny of successful habits, systems theory axioms, seeing the whole in a perceptual shift for congregational leaders and sustaining creative tension. Washington, DC: Alban Institute, 1993. $18.00

Phillips, William Bud Pastoral Transitions: From Endings to New Beginnings. Covers the whole process of moving from leadership to another through predictable phases with the work that needs to be done during each: disenchantment, dis-identification, disorganization, disengagement, the interim, beginning again, re-establishing pastoral relationships, engagement, organization, re-identification, enchantment. Washington, DC: The Alban Institute, $9.95

Pohl, David C. and Charles A. Gaines and Nancy Hezlitt. Settlement Handbook for Congregations. This Handbook outlines the procedures recommended by the UUA Department of Ministry for the search process for a new professional religious leader from organizing the search committee, developing a congregational survey and packet, handling the applications, interviewing, pre-candidating, to final candidating and hiring. Boston, MA: Unitarian Universalist Association, 1986. $25.00

Radest, Howard B. Understanding Ethical Religion: A Book of Readings, with questions for discussion. Developed during the 1960's when Howard was Director of the AEU, it is comprised of interesting essays/platform talks from the movement's history. Topics include: "Why an Ethical Religion?," "What Kinds of Belief," "An Ethical Concept of God," "Ethics and Personal Life," "Ethical Religion and the Child," "Ethics and Social Reform," "Ethical Religion and the Future." New York. NY: American Ethical Union. $12.00

Ray, David R. The Big Small Church Book. Leads the reader through every need and cranny of small church life, from theology to maintenance, from mission to morale, from worship to conflict and shows not only what being a small church is but how the small church can thrive. Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 1992. $14.20

Saarinen, Martin F. The Life Cycle of a Congregation. Can be helpful to new and mature congregations alike, giving them ways of assessing what is going on now as well as suggesting avenues they might explore to address their situation at each stage of their development. Includes the life cycles of congregations in a way that enables people to grasp and identify where their congregation is within the cycle. Washington, DC: Alban Institute, 1986. $7.95.

Schaller, Lyle E. Assimilating New Members. How to reach new members, bring them into the congregational family, make them feel at home and keep them active. One of the best resources for learning membership growth practices from one of the masters in the field. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1978. $8.95

——————— Create Your Own Future: Alternatives for the Long-range Planning Committee. Offers sage advice to church leaders seeking to challenge the status quo and implement much-needed change in their congregations and long-range planning committees. Schaller shows how to create the planning committee, how to know when and how to intervene, how to decide which issues to tackle, and how to address demands for higher quality congregational life. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1991. $11.95

Schaller, Lyle E. Growing Plans: Strategies to increase your church's membership. Five different strategies for increasing the size of your congregation-l.How do small churches grow? 2.How do middle-sized churches grow? 3.How do large churches grow? 4.What are the issues in new church development? 5.What are the assumptions & priorities in a denominational strategy? Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1983. $8.95

_____________ Strategies for Change. The author addresses the need to initiate and implement planned change from within an organization. That is the number-one issue today for most congregations, denominations, theological seminaries, parachurch organizations and reform movements. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1993. $12.95

____________ 44 Questions for Church Planters. Questions and answers about how to start and grow a congregation: questions as where do we begin, what works best, what is our mission and identity, should we adopt or colonize, what is a good location, how will we finance a new building, how will we attract new members, who will be the pioneer volunteer leaders and how large should the congregation be? Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1991. $12.95

__________ 44 Steps Up off the Plateau. Shows how to move an established congregation up off a plateau of stagnant low energy. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1992. $11.35

————— 44 Ways To Expand the Financial Base of Your Congregation. Creative ways that congregations can finance their programs. In spite of a traditional Christian context, some ideas can be easily translated for Ethical Societies. Deals with some basic assumptions about finances, teaching stewardship and increasing giving, conducting special appeals, bequests and memorials, user fees, and other, creative approaches. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1989. $11.95.

__________ 44 Ways to Increase Church Attendance. Based on decades of work and research in congregational growth, Schaller recommends focusing on the Sunday morning experience, involving more people, reviewing the schedule, evaluate operational policies, paying attention to building, becoming a high expectation congregation, and many other changes. Needs translation from Christian context to Ethical Culture. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1988. $10.40

Shawschuck, Norman and Gustave Rath. Benchmarks of Quality in the Church. Doing ministry right the first time, focusing on religious qualities such as spirituality, belief, vision, mission, discernment, as well as lay participation and lay power. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1994. $14.20

Sofield, S.T., Loughlan and Donald H. Kuhn. The Collaborative Leader: Listening to the Wisdom of God's People. Interviews of "wisdom people", leaders in fields such as medicine, politics, business and education who address the tasks of leadership such as listening and vision. They address the person of the leader with headings such as integrity, compassion, joy and hope. • Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 1985. $8.50

Walrath, Douglas Alan. Making it Work: Effective Administration in the Small Church. A resource for small congregations with appropriate ideas and examples of what really does work there with practical examples and stories - how to do a lot well with a few and with little. Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1994. $8.55