Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built upuntil we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. –
Ephesians 4: 11-13 (NIV)

This message is a reminder to vestry members, altar guild members, deacons, Sunday school teachers, members of all committees and commissions – property, capital campaign, stewardship, outreach, etc. – and to the head of the food pantry, Stephen’s ministry or the ushers: YOU are a gift to the church.

If you are like me, you might not think of your volunteering as a “call.” It might have been your idea, you thought, to use your financial expertise on the endowment board. Or perhaps you just couldn’t say no when asked to serve on the annual school backpack project.

But let’s give God some credit and the glory for positioning His people for service. Christ himself has equipped you and GIVEN you to His church! You’ve been called.

Let us pray that our work together helps fulfill the mission of the church as found in our catechism, echoing Ephesians 4: 11-13: “The mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” Book of Common Prayer, pg. 855.

Your leadership role might not seem to be exciting, but I believe it is to Jesus. Whatever you are doing, do it with the idea that your work should exemplify the Gospel, and bring people to unity with God and with each other. Wow! Now that’s a calling!

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