We believe the association is both an organization and a living organism: a network of living, reciprocal relationships. If these relationships are not tended to and cared for, the foundation of the association and its work weakens.
Collaborative Pathways really supports everything else that the association does. So, let’s take just a minute or two to explain it more thoroughly.
Making Connections
We want to connect pastors to one another, so they can care for one another and be cared for. This is where teammates get to know each other and are truly known themselves.
The association doesn’t work if it’s only the UBA staff praying and checking in on pastors and staff—which of course we’re going to continue to do. The association doesn’t work if churches don’t know each other well enough to be able to initiate partnerships on their own.
So, we’re putting together Pastor Groups to help church leaders and staff meet together more regularly.
Caring for Leaders
Leadership, specifically church leadership, has unique pressures and challenges which can easily lead to burnout or ministry failure.
We desire to come alongside ministers to care for their minds, bodies, and souls so that they can thrive in their ministry, family, and everyday life.
We do this through The Resilient Pathway. This pathway includes: Pastor Groups, Gatherings, Retreats, Learning Cohorts and Coaching.
We are also blessed with a beautiful camp called Trinity Pines Conference Center for other vareous retreats and conferences throughout the year, as well as helping with sabbatical practices or referring to professional counselors.
Support in Crisis
We know from experience that Collaborative Care is desperately needed in times of natural disaster. When Hurricane Harvey battered our city, the response was led by churches working together in their communities. UBA learned a lot of lessons during that season, and we believe we’re in an even better position now to coordinate capacities, steward resources, and help churches rebuild our city when the next storm hits.
Unity in Diversity
During a time when people are divided over any number of issues, we want to facilitate meaningful conversations and true friendships between pastors, leaders, and church members of all different ages, races, and backgrounds.
Two-thirds of UBA churches are predominantly non-Anglo in attendance, and we cherish the diversity within the association. We trust in the unifying power of Christ and while there is still so much work to be done, we believe we are better together.
Better Together
Better Together isn't just a slogan for UBA. It’s a foundational belief that the Great Commission can’t be accomplished any other way. It’s a belief that the body of Christ wasn’t designed to function any other way. It’s a reminder that to truly work together, we have to be in relationship with one another.
Relationships don’t happen by accident and they don’t grow without intention. Collaborative care is the initiative that dedicates time and resources to bringing churches into deeper relationships with each other, so that we will truly be, better together.
Resources on Collaborative Care
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