Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices

January 2017

Vestry Leadership

Beginning Your Vestry’s Work Together
By Nathan E. Kirkpatrick
Nathan E. Kirkpatrick shares the importance of intentionally forming the vestry as group of leaders and disciples by learning both each other’s values and the expectations of the role, while always keeping in the focus the main reason for serving on the vestry – answering God’s call to discipleship.
Confía en el proceso
By Jade Mohorko Ortiz
Jade Mohorko Ortiz, shares her moving personal story of coming into the Episcopal Church, in which she learns the value of order and process, and more notably, a leadership system that is rooted in collaboration and respect.
Discernment in the Vestry Process
By Bruce A. Freeman
In Discernment in the Vestry Process, Bruce A. Freeman draws from personal experience to emphasize the importance of a careful, spiritual discernment process by and for congregational leaders to ensure the work of the church is relayed and continues without interruption.
Editor's Letter February 2017
By Charis Bhagianathan
ECFVP Editor Charis Bhagianathan introduces the February 2017 issue of Vestry Papers featuring stories of planning and processes to identify, nurture, and strengthen church leaders in the face of the all the change around us, while celebrating what makes us uniquely Episcopalian.
Editor's Letter January 2017
By Charis Bhagianathan
ECFVP Editor Charis Bhagianathan introduces the January 2017 issue of Vestry Papers featuring a mix of practical and spiritual aspects of vestry leadership.
Lessons From a Senior Warden
By Anne Rudacille Schmidt
The role of the warden, in relationship to the rector, vestry and the congregation is a significant one in the life of the church. What are the primary responsibilities of the job? And how best are they prioritized and balanced?
New Leadership for a Changing Church
By Donald V. Romanik
What will our Episcopal church look like in 100 years? Numbers and trends suggest a drastic makeover is in order. In New Leadership for a Changing Church, ECF President Donald V. Romanik, alerts us to the swiftly changing landscape, and shares how church leaders can work together to secure our future.
Spiritual Gifts
By Jennifer LeBlanc
Does your church conduct a Spiritual Gifts Assessment for its parishioners? Jennifer LeBlanc shares the experience of her church’s spiritual gifts assessment in Spiritual Gifts.
The Vestry Goes on Retreat
By Nathan E. Kirkpatrick
A vestry retreat, if planned thoughtfully, can be a time of fruitful work, relationship building and most importantly, honest conversations about the life and health of a church. In The Vestry Goes On Retreat, Nathan E. Kirkpatrick shares his thoughts on how to make the most of this invaluable time.
Trust the Process
By Jade Mohorko Ortiz
How did you learn about lay leadership and decision making in the Episcopal Church? In Trust the Process, Jade Mohorko Ortiz, shares her moving personal story of coming into the Episcopal Church, in which she learns the value of order and process, and more notably, a leadership system that is rooted in collaboration and respect.
Vestry Meditations
By Colleen McMahon
Colleen McMahon shares the importance of prayer and spiritual practice for vestries. She warns about falling victim to the “Martha syndrome” - being consumed by the many worldly tasks vestry service presents, and in the process losing sight of what is most important – our relationship with God.
What Does a Rector Do?
By Greg Syler
With his own job about to change, Greg Syler explores what the role of a rector is from perceived expectations to the church-wide Canons.