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.

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.  

• Diocesan Assessments

  • 2024 Parish Assessments

  • 2023 Parish Assessments

  • The Assessment Reduction Request Process

• Annual Financial Review Guidelines

• Maintaining your Tax Exempt Status

• Manual for Business Methods in Church Affairs (updated Dec. 2019)

• Discretionary Fund Guidelines

• Property & Loan Request Form pdf or Word

• Property and Casualty Insurance

• Property and Liability Insurance Coverage Policy

• Church Pension Group (CPG) Safety and Insurance Handbook for Churches

• The Congregational Resource Guide (CRG) Accessibility Resources

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, you’ll want to review the Diocesan Canons and the Canons of the Episcopal Church.

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:  

• Top Ten Traits of a Terrific Vestry Member - Linda Buskirk via www.ecfvp.org

• Stewardship of Safety

• Asset Based Community Development Website @ www.calledtotransformation.org

• Consensus Formation on a Vestry Regarding Marriage and Blessing

  • Dearly Beloved - A Study

  • I Will Bless You and You Will be a Blessing - A Liturgical Resource

  • Human Sexuality and the Christian Faith

• Invite Welcome Connect

• Invite Welcome Connect Powerpoint Presentation or PDF from Vestry Resource Day 2018

• Alcohol Use Guidelines