Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Let’s face it - it’s a tough job being a church administrator. Whether an employed staff of dozens or a solitary volunteer, this is a vital part of our mission and ministry. How many ways have you been grateful for the ministry of your administrative help? How have you thanked them?

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and Administrative Professionals Day is April 24. Let’s all remember to say thank you to those who have helped keep our congregations running smoothly. We also hope that these resources will help others recognize that those who serve your community as administrators are a significant part of sharing the leadership of your congregation’s mission and ministry.

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Administrator as Minister
Answering telephones, preparing bulletins and newsletters, and maintaining the website, administrators hold key roles in our congregations. Jeremy Sierra stresses in “Administrator as Minister” that often, the parish administrator is actively engaged in the ministry of – and to – the congregation. Of the points that Jeremy offers, he shows that we can start by recognizing and appreciating the administrator as a vital part of the ministry team.

Tone Matters
Our choice of words can frame everything from attitude to the well-being of a congregation’s mission and ministry. Scott Gunn shows us in “Tone Matters” the importance of thinking about tone, especially about how we express gratitude, in our everyday communications. The trick with communication, especially in a parish with so many kinds of personalities and numerous volunteers, is to strike the right tone.

Blog Posts Volunteer Accountability: Holding ourselves and those who serve as volunteers accountable helps strengthen the shared sense of purpose in our communities. Results, Relationships, Process: It’s the other Holy Trinity for learning how to work as part of team and helps us better understand our roles and effectiveness. Hard Decisions, Winning Strategies: Figuring out a winning strategy for our congregations can be tough work, but with worthwhile results.

Tools and Resources ECF Spring 2013 Web Conferences: Upcoming webinars include Identifying and Recruiting New Leaders, Running a Holy and Effective Meeting, and more. Sign up today to secure your spot! Managing Staff: 7 Things to Consider: How can vestries better support their administrator? Jeremy Sierra offers 7 things to consider... Policy, Schmolicy: Policy may not be a glamorous subject, but developing good policies provides space for the staff and vestry to concentrate on mission and ministry.