Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Lose weight. Start exercising. Read the classics. Keep a journal. Find life/work balance. Pay off credit cards. Make new friends. Reconnect with old ones.

This is prime time for resolution writing. Facebook and Twitter will soon be popping with ironic comments about resolutions; George Takei will create a clever meme about the uselessness of resolutions. And by week's end, I'll have failed at most of mine.

But I wonder if part of the value is in the pre-resolution contemplation, the deep thinking about how I want my life to be in the coming year.

With this premise in hand, I propose that congregations undertake the process of making resolutions. Does the church want to be friendlier? Bigger? More financially secure? Does it want to increase spiritual formation and engagement in the community? Does the congregation need to consider merging with another or looking a a new way of being? Is it time to add a third service or build a parking lot?

At the first vestry meeting of the year, have the leadership discuss possible resolutions. Decide on three or four. Then figure out how to make it happen. If the church wants to be friendlier, there should be intentional focus on hospitality. The ushers and greeters should be trained, signs should be welcoming and clear, and the worship bulletins structured in a way that doesn't require a certificate in Anglican studies.

If the church resolves to be more financially secure, then the leadership needs to look at how they discuss money. Is it behind closed doors or an open and frank conversation? Is stewardship a three-week special program or incorporated throughout the year? Are the aging buildings draining the coffers? Is it time to look at how our buildings can be sources of life?

Share the resolutions widely. Talk about what it means to implement and achieve them. Then begin the hard work. Things won't change overnight. And you may fail. But at least you start the new year trying. And that's a resolve worth applauding.