Vestry & Leader Resources
Leadership Newsletter
An e-newsletter aimed at church staff, clergy, vestry members, diocesan leaders, etc. filled with resources, forms, deadlines, and continuing education opportunities within our diocese. Vestry members are added each year when their church turns in its Church Leadership Report. Read past issues or subscribe here.
Congregational Leadership Conference Resource Guide
In March 2017, the Diocese hosted a Congregational Leadership Conference (formerly the Wardens & Treasurers Conference) at Christ Church, Bowling Green. The resource packet from that conference is available here.
The Vestry Resource Guide
Serving on a vestry is an adventure in faith. And The Vestry Resource Guide is the ultimate companion to help each and every vestry member embark on that adventure. Whether you’re a first time vestry member or a seasoned veteran, The Vestry Resource Guide provides information and handy, how-to advice on your responsibilities. Purchase your copy here.
Vestry Papers and Vital Practices
ECF Vital Practices offers vestry members and other people of faith, resources and tools to respond to the changing needs of the Church. Building upon the spiritually grounded, practicalVestry Papers articles that have inspired and informed vestry members since 1995, Vital Practices uses the Internet to both expand its offering and its audience. Subscribe here for their newsletter or visit their website.
Property, Risk Management, & Casualty Insurance Tips and Publications
This collection of resources from Church Pension Group includes information important to any Junior Warden or Property Manager. Resources include topics such as the Episcopal Safety Program, Risk Managment & Insurance for Episcopal Organizations, Care & Preservation of Stained Glass Windows, the Safety & Insurance Handbook for Churches, safety posters for your church, tips about Liquor Liability at Church Events, a Winter Checklist, and previous editions of The Good Steward, a bi-monthly publication about timely maintenance and reminders. To view a complete list of resources, visit their webpage here.
Vestry Handbook
An Episcopal Church classic and must-have book for all congregations, written by a known and respected author and priest, the Rev. Christopher L. Webber. Revised and updated to reflect changes in canon law and to include discussion of additional subjects such as sexual misconduct and safe-church training. Purchase your copy here.
Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs
This comprehensive, user-friendly manual identifies requirements and seeks to provide helpful advice on sound, practical internal controls, accounting guidelines, and business practices. The Episcopal Church believes that it can be a tool that will support your efforts to perform the duties and responsibilities of your office. Visit the Episcopal Church website to download a copy.
New FACTs on Episcopal Church Growth and Decline
A look at the dynamics of growth and decline in Episcopal congregations based on the 2014 Survey of Episcopal Congregations, in conjunction with the Faith Communities Today (FACT) ecumenical/interfaith survey project. To view the entire report, visit the Episcopal Church website to download a copy. A brief summary has been prepared by the Rev. Jason Lewis that concentrates on the areas where churches can make positive change. You can download his Key Characteristics of Congregations Experiencing Growth summary here.
