Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Every organization needs a shake-up. 

Not all the time, of course. After all, constancy is valuable, as long as it’s not prized above all else. But organizations, like churches, diocesan offices, denominational centers and General Conventions, occasionally need a leader to shake things up.

A report last month by Bishop Stacy Sauls, the new chief operating officer of The Episcopal Church, did some shaking. He recommended a complete evaluation of the structures and financial resources of The Episcopal Church, with a keen eye on mission and ministry. His proposal set the blogosphere aflutter.

The prospect of change will do that. 

But we all know that organizations get complacent and comfortable. Change is hard. So we come up with a list of reasons not to embark on the journey – from how the message was delivered, the motives of the messenger, suspect timing, etc. We act a bit like the frazzled old man playing the Wizard of Oz – pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. We go off on tangents so that we no longer have to seriously consider the message itself. 

My diocese is in the midst of change. About 18 months ago, we recognized that expenses outstripped revenues. We could cut expenses, or we could take the opportunity to throw everything on the table, to sort out our priorities, to define our primary mission and to make systemic changes. 

It hasn’t been easy. As we’ve charted a way forward, we’ve had to make some course corrections. But, in my opinion, that’s part of leadership too – recognizing that we’re not perfect, listening when others say we’ve made a mistake. 

Congregations need this introspection too. I’m not talking about a navel-gazing, inwardly focused process that loses sight of our mission as people of faith. Rather, congregations need to look at all aspects of their ministry, asking how to best live out the Gospel in this time and place. For instance:  

• Look at how the vestry functions: Are they a monthly meeting group, hearing reports without exercising leadership? Do they hold the reins too tightly, keeping new ideas and leaders from bubbling up?
• Consider whether the current outreach ministries are effective: Are we spread too thin? Has a project run its course? Are there new opportunities to serve?   
• Talk to the community about what it needs: Are young people floundering, needing a place to hang out and build relationships? Is there a hold in the social service net that the church can fill?  
• Examine the issue of money: Is money viewed as a resource or an albatross? Are we taking care of our endowments – or do we even have any? Do we see stewardship as more than a pickpocket but a way of life?  
• Re-evaluate the staff structure: Do we have the right leadership in place? Is it time to consider partnering with the Lutherans or another Episcopal church to share clergy? Do we support the staff in professional training and spiritual growth?  

This will scare many people. Change is hard. But just because this is how we’ve always done it doesn’t mean this is how God wants God’s work done.