The Association of Unity Churches was created in the mid-1960s to serve the needs of the churches and ministers throughout the movement.
As the Unity movement was growing, it became increasingly complex to manage the needs of the field ministries. In the mid-1960s, Unity School of Christianity suggested that Unity ministers form a group to support the work of the churches. This resulted in better services for the churches and ministers.
Our organization's overarching/ongoing services include:
- Progressive, transparent, frequent and interactive communication through multiple mediums
- Education, CE credits, credentialing
- Employment services for ministers and ministries
- Expansion ministry support
- Leadership training and development for boards, ministry teams, etc.
- Administrative support/consulting – HR policy, IRS, pension, manse, etc.
- Ministry Consulting and Ministry Transition Support (formerly Peace Skills) and ethics peer review
- Events – Convention, Annual Summit, IYOU, Youth & Family Ministry training, ministry team meetings, consultant trainings
- Marketing of UWM’s services and products to the field
The formation of the Association of Unity Churches created two major organizations within the movement─the Association being the lesser-known. In 2011, the Association of Unity Churches International adopted the Unity Identity Program. As a result, we changed our name to Unity Worldwide Ministries. This focus on the Unity brand is uniting and strengthening our movement, making us more easily recognizable to the general public.
In 2016 Unity Institute closed its doors and Unity Worldwide Ministries took over the responsibility for training our Unity ministers and licensed teachers. In the fall of 2016 Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute went live with a totally online school. This school not only serves our future Unity leaders, but all those who are interested in our teachings. Anyone who wants to know more about Unity and its principles can now go to UWSI and sign up for classes.
In 2017 Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village invited Unity Worldwide Ministries and Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute to once again reside on Unity Village grounds. In August 2017 UWM packed up our offices and moved into the previously-known Education Building. This is the same building that houses the Peace Chapel and Fillmore Chapel. Once again the leadership of the Unity movement is located at Unity Village.
"Development of Unity Worldwide Ministries" article by Tom Thorpe
Past Board Chairs for Unity Worldwide Ministries
Rev. Toni Fish
♦2019-2020
Rev. Karen Tudor
♦2015-2016
Rev. Mary Masters
♦2013-2014
Rev. David McArthur
♦2010-2011
Rev. Dan Holloway
♦2007-2008
Rev. Juan Enrique Toro
♦2004-2005
Rev. Diane Sickler
♦2001-2002
Rev. John Strickland
♦1998-1999
Rev. Joel W. Baehr
♦1995-1996 ♦1994-1995
Rev. Edie Skalitzky
♦1991-1992
Rev. V. Stanford Hampson
♦1988-1989
Rev. Larry Swartz
♦1985-1986
Rev. Jack Barker
♦1981-1982
Rev. Jack E. Boland
♦1979-1980 ♦1978-1979
Rev. Joyce Kramer
♦1975-1976
Rev. Dorothy M. Pierson
♦1970-1971 ♦1969-1970
Rev. Phillip M. Pierson
♦1965-1966
Rev. Mary L. Kupferle
♦1961-1962 ♦1960-1961
Rev. Sharon Ketchum
♦2018-2019
Tim Alderman (1st Lay Leader)
♦2015-2016
Rev. Julie Armour
♦2012-2013
Rev. Julie Montague
♦2009-2010
Rev. Pat Williamson
♦2006-2007
Rev. Argentina Glasgow
♦2003-2004
Rev. Richard Mantei
♦2000-2001
Rev. Jimmie Scott
♦1997-1998
Rev. Martha "Pat" Barker
♦1993-1994
Rev. R. Scott Sherman
♦1990-1991
Rev. Maya Brandenberger
♦1987-1988
Rev. Marshall "Max" Lafser
♦1984-1985
Rev. Ruth Mosley
♦1980-1981
Rev. Bernard Dozier
♦1977-1978
Rev. James C. Lewis
♦1974-1975 ♦1973-1974
Rev. Grover Thornsberry
♦1968-1969 ♦1967-1968
Rev. Johnnie Colemon
♦1964-1965
Rev. Charles A Neal
♦1959-1960 ♦1958-1959
♦1957-1958
Rev. Richard Bunch
♦2016-2017
Rev. Diane Venzera
♦2014-2015
Rev. Jim Lee
♦2011-2012
Rev. Marilyn Muehlbach
♦2008-2009
Rev. Roger Goodwin
♦2005-2006
Rev. Clare Austin
♦2002-2003
Rev. Sharon Connors
♦1999-2000
Rev. Norma Iris Rosado
♦1996-1997
Rev. Alan Rowbotham
♦1992-1993
Rev. Nancy Neal
♦1989-1990
Rev. Jim Rosemergy
♦1986-1987
Rev. Jay Dishman
♦1983-1984 ♦1982-1983
Rev. David McClure
♦1979-1980
Rev. Paul C. Barrett
♦1977-1978 ♦1976-1977
Rev. Robert L. Stevens
♦1972-1973 ♦1971-1972
Rev. Glenn Mosley
♦1966-1967
Rev. William W. Helmbold
♦1963-1964 ♦1962-1963