Vestry Roles & Responsibilities Wardens & Vestry Basic Training Episcopal Diocese of Texas Bob Schorr Manager of Church Plants and Strategic Development Jesus invested everything he had in a team. The Bible knows nothing of solo ministry, only team ministry. - Leonard Sweet Governance Defined To govern is to steer, to control, and to influence from a position of authority. Governance deals with the legitimate distribution of authority throughout a system whether a country or an organization - BoardSource, Nonprofit Governance 1
Focus Forward The Board is responsible for paving the future for the organization and it can only do so if it focuses on issues that are either waiting to happen or that it wants to happen. - Meet Smarter, BoardSource Ministry or Burden? What is the image of the Vestry? Were you called or did you succumb? Congratulations or Condolences? How can you help to create and grow a positive image of the Ministry of Leadership in your Missionary Outpost? First Impressions Information overload Broadening Perspective Where did all these problems come from? Getting comfortable with your level of knowledge 2
Congregational Size Small Church Club: up to ~35 ASA Family size: ~36-75 Pastoral size: ~76-150 Transitional: ~151-225 Program size: ~226-450 Resource size: ~451+ ASA = Average Sunday Attendance Congregational Size Matters Roles and responsibilities are unique to the size and needs of each Missionary Outpost Influenced by: Size of staff and number of clergy Vitality of lay leadership Core Values, Mission, & Vision Representation vs. Leadership Representation Elected by the congregation, but called to leadership Leadership More than an amplifier of the congregation A unique obligation and perspective Learning, educating, informing, persuading 3
Vestry as Leaders Excerpt from The Vestry Handbook Vestry Canonical Duties it shall administer the temporal concerns of the Church in the Parish; it shall provide for the prompt payment of all liabilities incurred; and it shall in general assist the Minister in carrying on the work of the Church in the Parish in all things appropriate. Diocesan Canons, Section 9.9 Governance: Legal Obligations Duty of Care Duty of Loyalty Duty of Obedience No different than directors of for profit corporations Duty of Transparency 4
Governance: Legal Obligations Duty of Care Use your best judgment You must be informed and prepared Actively participate and pay attention Ask pertinent questions Duty of Loyalty Avoid Conflicts of Interest Put aside personal and professional interests Governance: Legal Obligations Duty of Obedience Stay true to the organization s mission Obey the laws, regulations and your governance Laws: IRS Regulations: Health and Safety, Safe Church, Governance: Canons and Bylaws Duty of Transparency Be open and make certain information public (Internal and External transparency) Governance: Legal Obligations Good Practices: Devote 2 hours to prepare for each meeting Ask questions prior to meeting for information Focus Vestry s discussions on vision, strategy Keep congregation s interest above your own Keep the mission in mind and the vision before you Be positive, respect confidences, support vestry Communicate w/ congregation; post minutes 5
Rights vs. Responsibilities Rights Responsibilities Leader Participant Observer The responsibilities of Leadership, of necessity, reduce the individual rights and preferences. - From work by John Maxwell, Kevin Martin, Neal Michell The Leadership Culture Develop the Roles & Responsibilities that make sense for your congregation and size Respect boundaries: Clergy & Vestry Share work in ways that builds trust Document in Job Description, Agreement, or Covenant Share with candidates during discernment Keys to Vestry Leadership Strong sense of Team & Trust Partners in a Work in Progress Collaborative and Supportive Support & Work with Rector Community of Prayer and Study Guided by the Fruits of the Spirit 6
Collaborative Leadership Ideas are floated before decisions are announced All views and voices are heard, respected, and considered When decisions are made, everyone positively supports the decision Vestry speaks with only one voice No parking lot meetings Fruit of the Spirit the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. - Galatians 5:22-23, 25-26 NRSV Keys to Vestry Leadership - 2 Grounded in Vision; Focus Forward Role Model for the congregation Pardon me, but your attitude is showing. Healthy and effective communications Bring the congregation with you The role of discernment Make it Fun! 7
Grounded in Vision Clearly articulated Core Values, Mission, and Vision are key to keeping everyone Clergy, Staff, Vestry, lay leaders, and congregation focused Focus Forward: The Planning Horizon Need to focus significant attention 6 18 months ahead, depending on size It s too late to plan for this year once it arrives Strategic Focus vs. Tactical/Operational Leadership succession, goals & objectives, budget, staffing Communications Challenges The need to share information: Who Needs to Know? The Conundrum of the Collar Power and authority dynamic No Surprises E-mail: Tool or Weapon? 8
Triangulation B A C A has a grievance with C (whether valid or invalid), but instead of going directly to C, talks to B about it, (and usually expects B to fix it). Takeaways & Questions What one thing have you heard that you want to take back and utilize or practice? Observations? Questions? Resources Vestry Papers (online) http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/ LoBSTER Reports: https://doris.epicenter.org/lobster/ Congregational Vitality Resources: http://www.epicenter.org/congregational-life/congregationalvitality/ Diolog E-News: Subscribe to E-Newsletter, lower right hand corner of home page: www.epicenter.org 9
More Resources The Vestry Handbook, Revised Edition, Christopher L. Webber Vestry Resource Guide, (newly revised), The Episcopal Church Foundation (www.forwardmovement.org) Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards, Dick Chait, et. al Transforming Church Boards into Communities of Spiritual Leaders, Charles M. Olsen bschorr@epicenter.org or (713) 353-2108 10