What is a Vestry?
Sometimes, when I use the word “vestry” with someone who is not an Episcopalian, I get a puzzled look. Sometimes I get that look from Episcopalians, too. When attempting to describe the leadership structures of our church to someone who is not familiar with the vocabulary of our denomination, I frequently use the word “board” to convey an approximation for what a vestry is and does, but, every time I do, I know that I am offering only half-truths.
Our church is not governed by a board of directors. It is led by a group of ministers whom we call the vestry. Although the vestry is legally and fiscally responsible for the parish, it can only complete its work through the power of the Holy Spirit. At vestry meetings, we often spend considerable time discussing financial reports and maintenance issues, but we do so as members of Christ’s body and as ministers of the church. That is why one of the canonical requirements for serving on the vestry is baptism and confirmation or reception in The Episcopal Church—because this work is a ministry that must be empowered by the Spirit.
Another way that the work of the vestry is distinct from that of a board of directors or governing body in other settings is the way that the rector and vestry work together. In other non-profit organizations, the board typically hires an executive director whose job it is to carry out the vision set by the board and who remains accountable to them in the performance of that job.
In The Episcopal Church, however, the vestry calls a rector to serve in a parish and then commits to partnering with that rector to discern, develop, articulate, and pursue God’s vision for the congregation. As full partners with the rector, the vestry’s role is as much spiritual as material. As the canons of our diocese put it, “It shall be the duty of the vestry…to cooperate in promoting the spiritual welfare of the cure” (Canon 26.6). We might be tempted to separate the work of the congregation into temporal issues and spiritual matters, assigning the former to the vestry and the latter to the rector, but our way of being the church assumes that those spheres of operation overlap and require shared ministry.
Like any ministry, serving on the vestry is a calling—issued by God, confirmed and supported by the community, exercised in Jesus’ name, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. When we elect a vestry, we are not asked to choose the perfect balance of lawyers, accountants, business leaders, and property managers who will make the right decisions on behalf of the congregation. We are asked to select individuals whom we believe to be called to share in the spiritual and material leadership of the church, and we trust that God will enable whoever is elected to be faithful in their ministry.
Those chosen to serve on the vestry are not our representatives—individuals who are asked to express the will of those who elected them—but ministers whom we trust to serve God and our congregation faithfully. Of course, the members of the vestry must stay connected with the congregation through regular worship, participation in parish activities, and conversations with parishioners, which is why another canonical requirement for serving on the vestry is frequent attendance in the services of the parish. It is from within the congregation of the faithful that the members of the vestry are called out for this ministry.
This week, I am writing about the ways in which serving on the vestry is a ministry because our vestry election will take place in a few months and because I hope that you will consider whether God is calling you to offer yourself in this way. If you have always assumed that only business-minded people are right for the vestry, I hope this reflection has opened for you a broader understanding of this ministry. Serving on the vestry is not for everyone, but God calls faithful people with many diverse gifts and experiences to serve in this way. Maybe God is calling you.
On December 8, our parish will elect four individuals to serve a three-year term on the vestry. We will use the same electronic ballot and instant-run-off format that we have used for the last several years. The four individuals who are chosen will be placed in nomination for official election at the Annual Meeting at 10:00 a.m. on January 26.
If you love God, love St. Paul’s, and love serving others in Jesus’ name, you may be called to serve on the vestry. If so, please complete a nomination form and return it to the church office by November 10. If you know someone else in the parish whom you think has gifts to serve in this way, please reach out to that person and let them know that you would like to nominate them. Every canonically qualified candidate who is nominated will be on the ballot, and we will publicize the names and biographies of the candidates the week of November 17. You can learn more about the canonical requirements for serving on the vestry and find the nomination form here (https://www.stpaulsfay.org/vestry).
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to our vestry for their faithful service and for the partnership we share at St. Paul’s. It is an honor, privilege, and joy to serve as your rector primarily because I get to share that work with so many talented, dedicated, and wonderful people. Thank you for all that you give to this church, and thank you to the whole parish for supporting us in prayer.
Yours faithfully,
Evan D. Garner
