FAQ

Phone: 415-457-7555 or email: spiritmatters@comcast.net

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Purpose of these 7-week Spiritual Growth Programs?

To teach spiritual principles of transformation

To build community through shared spiritual experience

To create a model for small group ministry

To provide opportunities and training for leadership and service

To raise prosperity consciousness and to raise funds for your ministry

What are the benefits of these 7-week Spiritual Growth Programs?

Comments From Some Unity Ministers
"The impact on our ministry was outstanding. We had teams of artists developing banners around the weekly themes, our volunteer programs had more people willing to serve, and small groups were established to study the material at home. Attendance at the church increased during the period and we experienced a great deal of increased enthusiasm throughout all areas of the ministry."

"The program helped us create tremendous excitement in our congregation. Our small-group ministry proved a huge success and it is ongoing. From the financial commitment standpoint…it has helped put our church on a sound financial footing."

"Our church experienced an increase in attendance from 60 before our Fall Program to 95 and we went to 2 services. Asking our congregation to pledge toward our annual operating expenses proved to be just what many were waiting for. There has been an outpouring of financial support and we have bought a new church home. We truly experienced being Powerful Beyond Measure!"

Comments from A Board Member and Program Coordinator
"The whole program has been very touching and unifying. It's forcing growth on the church at levels where people may have not suspected we needed it... Beyond being a financial tool, this 7-week program is a lesson in spiritual reality. Don't ask to be an instrument unless you are ready for the consequences. The effects are real...Our attendance is way up during the program. Our giving is rising. There are new members. Small groups are meeting successfully. People really love what is going on. It's been inspirational."

Does the size of our church make a difference in the success of the program?
No. These programs work for churches with an average attendance of 50 up to several thousand. The size of your church will be important in determining how many people participate on the various teams. The larger the church, the more people will be needed to manage and organize the In-Home Spiritual Study groups, the Faith In Action Pledge Program, and the Celebrations Team. Other aspects of the program, such as Creative Teams, Prayer Vigil and Labyrinth Planning Team, Sunday Service Teams and the Communications Team may not be as affected by the number of participants.

What is the role of the Minister and the Board of Trustee?
These programs are designed to develop lay leadership, and as such, the role of the minister is to inspire the congregation with Sunday lessons, and to be the visionary for the 7-week program's success. When the Board and key leadership of the ministry take ownership of these programs, a powerful shift can occur. Creativity, participation and service are heightened. It is key that the Board be involved in the Faith in Action Pledge Program. Their leadership will pave the way for a successful financial campaign.

How were these programs developed?
After creating 7-week programs with Rev. Richard Mantei at Unity-in-Marin from 1992-1994, Patricia was hired by Rev. Stan Hampson of Unity Palo Alto Community Church to help create and implement their 7-week program, which included a $750,000 annual pledge program. UPACC had a long history, under the leadership of Carol Weims, of many great Fall Programs. In 1995, Make Me an Instrument was born. As a result of experiencing the powerful impact of this 7-week program, the vision of taking them to many churches was born. In 1996, the Program Planning Manual was written, and later the Facilitators Training Manual and the Pledge Program Manual. Over the next three years, working with Revs. Stan, Alyzsa Van Til and Susan Burnett-Hampson, plus their great staff and volunteers, three other great programs were developed and tested in the pews and homes of Palo Alto, California. Patricia is grateful for the opportunity to have served with such a dedicated ministry. Their generosity of spirit and their enormous creativity continue to bless many, as these programs are reborn in churches all across the country.

What churches have implemented these programs in the past?

Unity Palo Alto Community Church
- Rev. Stan Hampson-Burnett
- Rev. Alyzsa Van Tilm
- Rev. Melanie Schley
- Rev. Susan Hampson-Burnett
Unity-in-Marin - Rev. Richard Mantei
Unity Church of Santa Rosa - Rev. Lei Lanni Burt
Unity of Fremont - Rev. Mary Anne Sullivan
Unity Church of Madison - Rev. Roger Goodwin
Unity Chapel of Light - Santa Maria - Rev. James Schrotel
Unity Church of Corvallis - Rev. Neusom Holmes
Unity Southeast -Kansas City - Rev. Linda Kennedy
Unity Christ Church - Lincoln, NE - Rev. Heather Withers
Tri-Valley Unity - Rev. Penny Martensİ
Church of Unity- Westlake - Revs. Stan and Barbara Smith
Unity Christ Church, San Francisco - Rev. Sharon Connors
Unity of Maui - Rev. Judy Grimes
Unity in Honolulu
- Rev. John Strickland
- Rev. Mari Gabrielson
- Rev. Suzanne Cameron-Stover
Windward Unity Church - Rev. Bob Wasner, Rev. Richard Levy
Tampa Unity - Rev. Allen Moss
Unity Church of Gainesville - Rev. Melanie Schley
Unity Church in Christ - Tallahassee - Revs. Nancy & Bill Worth
Unity Church of Mesa - Rev. Joel & Kyra Baehr
Unity of Tucson - Revs. Larry & Mary Ellen Swartz
Unity Church of Light on the Delta - Rev. Irene Whitmore
Unity of Dothan - Alabama Christine MacLellan, Spiritual Leader
Unity of Castro Valley - Rev. Donna Caldwell
Unity of Reno - Rev. Rachel Hepburn
Unity Church of Santa Fe - Rev. Brendalyn Batcheler
Unity Church of Tacoma - Rev. Deb Olive
Center For Positive Living - Sarasota - Rev. David Reis
Unity of Bloomington - Rev. Sandy Jasmer
Unity of the Valley - Eugene, OR Rev. Baine Palmer
Unity of Prescott - Rev. Tom Catlin
Unitymarietta - Rev. Crystal Yarlott
Unity Panama City, FL - Rev. Joann McClellan
Unity of Modesto - Revs. Larry and Denese Schellink
Church of Today West - Novi - Rev. Barbara Clevenger
New Thought Unity - Cincinnati - Rev. Jack & Pat Barker
Rev. Doris Hoskins, Rev. Pat Williamson
Unity of Kalamazoo - Rev. Marty Newman
Unity of Livonia - Rev. Gene Sorensen
Unity of Greater Newburyport - Shipley Allison, Spiritual Leader
Unity of Auburn - Rev. Wayne & Janet Manning
Unity of Napa Valley - Rev. Sonya Milton
Unity of Louisville - Revs. Judy and Richard Thomas, Rev. Carole Mchaffey
Unity of Roanoke - Rev. Diane Schribner-Clevenger
Unity of Denton - Ellen Davis, Spiritual Leader
Unity of Kenosha & Racine - Rev. Betty Brenneman
Unity of Dayton - Rev,. Lisa Davis
Unity of Santa Monica - Rev. Maya Brandenberger
Unity of Syracuse - Rev. Daniel Douglas
Unity of Vacaville - Rev. Vic Jenkins
Unity of Santa Cruz - Rev. Bill Wilson
Unity of Berea - Rev. Sandra Weisner
Unity of Columbus - Rev. Sandra Weisner
Unity of Appleton Rev. Sherry Fehr
Unity of Burnsville - Rev. Audrey Peterson
Unity of Minneapolis - Rev. Rob Robinson
Unity of Johnson City - Rev. Carolyn Claiborne
Spiritual Life Center - Rev. Michael & Faith Moran
Unity of Mundelein - Rev. Patty Pipia
Unity of Divne Light Rev. Kyra Baehr
Unity of Muskegon - Rev. Julie Armour
Unity of Traverse City - Rev. Judy Grimes
Unity of San Jose - Rev. Elizabeth Ferguson
Unity of Federal Way - Rev. Steve Colladay
Unity Lake Oswego - Rev. Victoria Etchemendy
Unity of Sussex County - Rev. Ross Campbell

Are Payment Plans Available?
Payments plans may be arranged. Call Patricia Keel to discuss your specific needs.

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