Vestry resources

Below you will find a variety of resources to assist vestry members, both in their canonical role as "agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its Clergy" (DFMS Canon I.14.2), and in their customary role as leaders of the faith community by word and example.

 
 
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The Property and Finances of Your Faith Community

Administering and Monitoring the property and finances of your faith community is a responsibility entrusted to officers and vestry members by both the larger church and the state. Below are several documents and resources to assist you in fulfilling that responsibility and in filing the various financial reports required of you.  

 
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The Governance of your Faith Community

Joining the vestry enmeshes you in a web of laws and canons (church laws). In order for that web to support rather than entrap you, it helps to start with a good idea of where your responsibilities begin and end. In addition to perusing your parish bylaws, the Diocesan Canons and the Canons of the Episcopal Church, you might listen to some advice from those who have been there:

  • Sample Vestry Responsibilities

  • Sample Job Descriptions - Vestry Resource Guide

  • Advice for a New Senior Warden - Lynne Switalksi

  • Chuck's Follow-up to Lynne's Advice for a New Senior Warden & Other Tips - Chuck Lewis

  • Roles and Responsibilities of a Treasurer - Chuck Lewis

 
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The Leadership of Your Faith Community

Serving on a vestry is about more than maintaining budgets and voting on proposals. For every policy or program enacted inside a meeting, there is considerably more work to be done outside that meeting as vestry members lead the faith community in implementing that policy or program in support of its mission. Here are some resources to help you along: