Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Every endowment and finance committee reaches a point where the question of succession comes up. A longtime treasurer steps down. A trusted committee chair rotates off. A key voice retires from the congregation. These transitions are a natural part of committee life, but they do not have to catch your church off guard.

Thinking intentionally about the next generation of committee leadership is one of the most important governance responsibilities a committee can take on. It is also an opportunity to do something more than simply replace who is leaving. It is a chance to strengthen the committee, broaden its perspective, and deepen the congregation’s connection to the church’s endowment.

But many churches face the same challenge: finding the right people to serve.

Some congregations have a deep bench of volunteers with professional expertise and leadership experience. Others may struggle to identify people who have the time or confidence to step into these roles. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are qualities and practices that can help churches build stronger, more effective committees over time.

Look Beyond the Usual Suspects

Many churches tend to recruit committee members from the same pool of people: longtime members, familiar faces, and professionals with obvious financial credentials. These can be excellent candidates. But limiting recruitment to a familiar circle can also mean missing people who can bring a new perspective, different experiences, or skills that the committee genuinely needs.

A strong committee benefits from a mix of professional backgrounds, ages, lengths of church involvement, and life experiences. Someone newer to the congregation may bring a different point of view or experiences the committee hasn’t considered before. When looking for potential endowment or finance committee members, ask who would make the committee stronger.

What to Look for in a Prospective Member

Financial expertise is valuable, but it is not the only thing that matters. Strong committees need people who can exercise sound judgment, think beyond the current year, and help guide decisions in ways that support the church’s mission and future. And remember, just because someone has a background in finance doesn’t mean they understand the responsibilities of overseeing an endowment. Training should be included in your onboarding of new members.

Leadership and organizational skills

Committee members with strong leadership and organizational skills can help guide discussions, stay organized, and move the committee’s work forward. Leadership does not always come with a formal title. Often, it looks like consistency, follow-through, and a willingness to do the mundane work between meetings.

Communication and collaboration

Committee members need to communicate clearly with one another, the vestry, the rector, and the congregation. An endowment committee that clearly and transparently communicates builds trust in the committee’s oversight and helps to keep the church community engaged with the endowment. Well managed committees work best when members listen well, invite different perspectives, and explain decisions in plain language to the congregation.

Integrity and a sense of fiduciary responsibility

Endowment and finance committee members are entrusted with managing funds that belong to the church and its donors. It is a meaningful responsibility that calls for discretion, sound judgment, and commitment to the church’s mission and values.

If you want to explore this topic further, read our related post: What Does Fiduciary Responsibility Really Mean at a Church?

Commitment and availability

Even the most qualified candidate is not the right fit if they cannot participate consistently. Make sure prospective members understand the time commitment involved before they say yes.

Where to Find Them

Current committee members and clergy are good sources of recommendations. Also, look around your church, who routinely attends church, who invites people to church, and volunteers to help out after church? Though these parishioners may not have a formal role in the church, their engagement in the life of the church may point to a desire and willingness to be more involved. And they’ve already demonstrated their reliability and commitment to the church.

Consider whether your current process tends to recycle the same names. Don’t overlook newer members. Actively seek out people who have not traditionally been nominated for leadership roles, but who bring valuable skills, lived experience, or a different vantage point. Serving on the endowment or finance committee can be a way to help someone become more connected to the life of the congregation.

Make the Invitation Clear

Most people won’t volunteer for a committee they don’t fully understand. A personal ask goes much further than a general announcement during service or the church newsletter though you should still do those things.

A standardized evaluation process can also help committees assess candidates fairly and consistently, and signals to the congregation that selections are made with care. Take the time to explain what the committee does, why it matters, and what you see in the person you are asking. Be clear about expectations from the start: meeting frequency, preparation requirements, term length, and explain what the committee does. The more clearly you communicate what you are asking for, the easier it is for the right people to say yes and for someone who may not be the best fit to step back gracefully.

Thinking Beyond the Current Committee

The people who serve on your endowment and finance committee help shape how your church cares for its endowment, honors its donors, and sustains its mission over time.

Thoughtful succession planning helps ensure the committee remains strong long after current members rotate off. Approach recruitment with the same care and intentionality you bring to the committee’s work itself.

For more guidance on endowment committee governance and long-term planning, contact ECF’s Endowment Management team at [email protected].