Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Policies, structures, and procedures every church needs to think about.

Are you swimming naked? In his Vestry Papers article “Swimming Naked,” Ken Quigley notes congregations with endowments may have trouble below the surface that no one can see at the moment. He writes, “Swimming naked, you say? How is that like using endowment income for operating needs? Answer: No one notices ‘til the tide goes out.”

Our congregations are busy places, full of programs, busy staff and volunteers, and calendars that just never seem to have enough hours in the day. As the program year winds down and summer schedules begin, consider taking some time to review your policies and processes; making it a priority to tackle those that need some work. The articles and resources in this digest might be just what you need to get started; reminding you to look at some areas you may not have considered recently.

While we are thinking about finances and resources, I’d like to remind you of next month’s TENS Conference in Atlanta. Several of the presentations are available online via live webcast, providing access to their educational offerings for those who can’t be there in person. Click here to learn more and register for the next TENS Conference, Walking the Way, June 6-7, 2014.

Do you find these monthly digests helpful? If so, please share Vital Practices in your congregation. Forward this email and invite your church colleagues and friends to subscribe to ECF Vital Practices; they’ll receive our midmonth digest in their inbox along with our monthly Vestry Papers publication.

How Does It Work?
Policy and structure for day-to-day things can really make a difference in the life of a congregation. Whether a copy machine, fire alarm system, or lawn care contract, all of these things ensure that a congregation operates smoothly. How do all of these things work? Who is responsible for what? In “How Does It Work,” Leonard Freeman offers some suggestions on how to compile the information needed to create a helpful guide going forward.

Knowledge is Power
Financial policies can feel daunting, especially if you’re a volunteer. In “Knowledge is Power,” William Doubleday breaks down Canon 7 (Of Business Methods in Church Affairs) of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, providing commentary on what to look out for and implement in your congregation.

Blog Posts Who Gets Keys?: When was the last time a new person got keys to your church? Who has to ask to permission to use space? Policy, Shmolicy: Does your congregation have plenty of reasons for not developing good policies? It’s time to rethink them… Kitchens and Relationships: Church kitchen signs: they’re a problem. Establishing policies is an important step, but many churches go overboard in reminding people of them.

Tools and Resources Photo Release Form: It's a good practice to have a policy and permission before posting anyone's image, especially when there are children in the photo. Churches, Public Policy, and Elections: Confused about limitations on church-sponsored dialogue during this political season? Here are some resources to help you this election year. Invite*Welcome*Connect: Building a Vital Ministry: Register for this webinar that will cover best practices, tools and resources to develop a newcomers ministry. Be sure to check out other great upcoming webinars and watch recordings of previous webinars, all for free!

Being on the Same Page
How do you ensure clergy, staff, and lay leaders are following the same best practices and procedures? Ronald Pogue provides suggestions on how leaders can work together in “Being on the Same Page.”

This Month in Year-Round Stewardship
Does your congregation practice generosity year round? Stewardship is a year-round practice and conversation, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Laurel Johnston, executive director of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS), has developed "Annual Giving Campaign Tools," a checklist and planning guideline for stewardship teams planning an annual giving campaign.