Circle Fellowship - A Lay Led Congregation

It is not that Circle Fellowship is lay led that is uncommon, but that we have chosen, with forethought and purpose, to be lay led. There are other congregations that fit this description, but many lay led congregations are planning for and looking forward to calling a minister. Circle Fellowship was founded in 1971 as a lay led congregation with the intent to remain lay led, and that intent remains strong today.

Being lay led results in many challenges and opportunities.  Because we do not have a minister, we choose not only the form of the beginning and end of our service, but also the content of the message.  Having no minister increases the diversity of our Sunday morning message because we have a different messenger every Sunday.

Not having a minister also means that if we don't like the way something is being done, we have a greater opportunity to change it, as there is no minister to say "I want it done this way". And there is no being unhappy with the minister's message or management style at Fellowship.

Being lay led also means that we have a lay ministry. Several of our members have been made community ministers for the purpose of performing wedding ceremonies or funeral services.  Under UUA guidelines any congregation can call a minister within their own congregation. Of course his/her authority ends with the congregation that called him/her.  This is also recognized under Indiana law.

Lay ministry also refers to a calling of the congregation to do good works in the community.  This is something that we aspire to, but have only managed to do in a limited way at this time. See Lay Ministry for more information.