Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Dear Friends,

Creating a healthy leadership team often starts by asking questions that may not sit comfortably with everyone. Are we setting measurable goals and holding ourselves accountable? Are we thinking about who is on our team and more importantly, who is not? Do we have a good balance of skills, gifts and personalities even if we aren’t always in agreement? In this issue, we address these questions and share ideas for creating and maintaining effective vestry teams.

What are the essential elements required to function effectively as a vestry or bishop’s committee team? In There is No “I” in Team, Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce details goals, processes and difficult yet critical questions to consider when working together to ensure the best possible decisions are being made for all who are impacted.

Who is seated at our leadership table? And who isn’t? In How We Gather ’Round the Table, Bishop Brian Prior lifts up questions we should be examining every time our church teams meet together and explains the importance of shared collaborative leadership and healthy representation.

How can personality tests improve team dynamics and functioning? In The MBTI and Strong Vestry Teams, Jenny Replogle shares how the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can offer a lens for looking at the ways different people approach situations, and what gifts each person brings to the table, enabling vestries to work as a more self-aware and balanced team.

Many vestries and leadership teams have their mission, core values and strategic planning process in place. But what’s next? In Setting Goals – Moving your Mission Forward, Melissa Rau lists seven concrete steps to turn your mission into action and achieve all your team goals.

On any vestry or bishop's committee team, attention must be paid to duties, relationships and the personal needs of the team members. In Essentials for a Healthy Vestry Team, Victor Conrado details these functions and shares how they are critical to any good team dynamic. This article is available in English and Spanish.

With more churches choosing to come together in partnership and share resources, what implications does that have for leadership teams? In Church Partnerships and Collaborative Leadership, Benge Ambrogi brings his experience to questions around navigating the challenges and advantages of working together.

Would you like to become an ECF Fellow? Open to lay and ordained Episcopalians, the Fellowship Partners Program supports emerging scholars and ministry leaders throughout the Church. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2019. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.

To learn more about ECF and our programs, please visit our website.

Faithfully,

Charis Bhagianathan
Editor, ECF Vital Practices