A short summary of the duties and responsibilities for a senior and junior warden of a chuch. The information is from the Vestry Resource Guide, revised by Nancy Davidge, editor, and Susan Elliott, writer —A Project of The Episcopal Church Foundation (www.episcopalfoundation.org)

Many Vestries and Bishop's Committees ask for help on procedures for counting and handling money that protects the congregation, its leadership and finance ministry persons when it comes to handling money.  A strong set of guidelines with transparent accountability is good stewardship and will make everyone more comfortable. 

This set of procedures for counting and handling money was developed by an accounting and a congregational auditing team.

The roles of the rector and the vestry.

This is a sample document to assist congregations in reviewing and/or establishing bylaws.  The congregation's chancellor should be consulted as part of the process of amending or establishing bylaws.

This is a document that may be used after the election of the new members of the Vestry or Bishop's Committee as new members are commissioned to serve in their elected position.  It is generally signed after the election and just before the commissioning as part of the commissioning.

This document is a sample of a Vestry/BC Covenant signed by all members of the Vestry or Bishop's Committee at the first meeting after election of new members to the Vestry/BC.  It establishes the norms of interaction between the members of the Vestry/BC and its work as a leadership and governing body of the congregation.

A suggested list of the types of policies and procedures that a vestry might have or want to have for their congregations.

Ubuntu Bible study method

A checklist for duties of the vestry or Bishop's Committee person of the month

Monthly schedule sample for Vestries and Bishop's Committees

A sample for a mission and vision statement.

Worksheet for discerning a congregations God-given Core Passions

Mutual ministry agreements between the vestry/BC and clergy regarding roles and responsibilities.

Gifts can come in a variety of forms to congregations. It is good to have a set of policies in place to guide decisions on accepting certain gifts that may be out of the norm. A gift acceptance policy can help a governing body when it has to refuse acceptance of a gift that either does not fit the needs of the congregation or would create a financial or legal liability. Many gifts of this nature might be able to be converted to cash before transfer of ownership to the congregation allowing for the intention of the gift to be met in supporting the church's mission.

This resource will help your congregation establish a Gift Acceptance Policy.