The Vestry Handbook

by Webber, Christopher L.

• ISBN13: 9780819218339
• ISBN10: 0819218332
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Morehouse Communications

Summary

The one-volume resource to everything you need to know about being a member of the vestry

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
The Role of a Vestry Member	1	(4)
Canons and Customs	1	(2)
Representation, Leadership, Communications	3	(2)
Vestry Structures: With a Note on the Annual Meeting	5	(13)
Leadership	5	(1)
Wardens	6	(1)
Committees, Commissions, Task Forces, Parish Councils	7	(2)
Dispatch of Business	9	(1)
The Rector's Role	10	(1)
Making Committees Work	11	(2)
Enlisting Committee Members	12	(1)
The Committee Meeting	13	(1)
A Note on the Annual Parish Meeting	13	(2)
Elections	14	(1)
Reports	15	(1)
Special Features	15	(1)
Conflict and Competition	15	(1)
Dealing with Conflict	16	(2)
Finances	18	(12)
Stewardship	18	(1)
Stewardship and the Canvass	18	(1)
Parish Income	19	(5)
Pledge Income	19	(1)
Special Gifts	20	(1)
``Loose Offerings''	20	(1)
Handling Money	21	(1)
Discretionary Funds	21	(1)
Endowment Income	21	(1)
``Rental'' Income	22	(1)
The Annual Report and Audit	23	(1)
The Official Accounting Manual	23	(1)
The Budget Process	24	(4)
Diocesan Assessment	24	(1)
Salaries and Other Compensation	25	(1)
Buildings and Grounds	26	(1)
Insurance	27	(1)
Other Areas	28	(1)
Capital Funds	28	(2)
Buildings and Gorunds	30	(8)
Use of the Buildings	30	(2)
Taking Inventory	32	(4)
Maintenance Agenda	32	(1)
Safety Inspection	33	(1)
Major Repairs and Capital Improvements	33	(1)
Protection	33	(1)
Grounds	34	(1)
Using the Inventory	35	(1)
Keeping Records	36	(1)
Doing the Job	36	(1)
A Note on Cemeteries and Columbariums	37	(1)
Insurance	38	(14)
Some General Comments	38	(2)
Some Examples	39	(1)
Insurance for Buildings	40	(4)
Reproduction Cost Value	41	(1)
Replacement Cash Value	42	(1)
Actual Cash Value	42	(1)
Contingent and Increased Costs	43	(1)
Named and Unnamed Perils	43	(1)
Co-insurance	43	(1)
Indirect Loss	44	(1)
Deductible	44	(1)
Building Contents and Fine Arts	44	(2)
Liabilities	46	(2)
Public Liability	46	(1)
Motor Vehicles	46	(1)
Staff and Vestry	47	(1)
Sexual Misconduct	47	(1)
Financial	48	(1)
Fidelity Bonds	48	(1)
Theft Insurance	49	(1)
Life, Health, and Injury	49	(1)
Life Insurance	49	(1)
Health Insurance	49	(1)
Worker's Compensation	49	(1)
Disability Insurance	50	(1)
Other Kinds of Insurance	50	(1)
Summary	50	(2)
The Care and Feeding of Rectors	52	(11)
Sharing the Work of Ministry	52	(1)
Defining Relationships	52	(2)
Compensation	54	(5)
Salaries	54	(1)
Social Security	55	(1)
Housing Allowance	56	(1)
Pension	57	(1)
Other Benefits	58	(1)
A Final Word	59	(1)
A Note on Clergy Housing	59	(4)
The Parish Staff	63	(9)
Volunteers	64	(1)
Secretarial	65	(1)
Custodial	65	(1)
Music	66	(2)
Pastoral Staff	68	(1)
Compensation	69	(2)
Tenure	71	(1)
A Vision for Your Parish	72	(10)
Setting Goals	72	(1)
Goals and Objectives	73	(2)
Spiritual Growth	75	(1)
Evangelism, Church Growth, Membership	76	(1)
Serving the Community	77	(1)
Working for Change	78	(2)
``Burnout''	80	(2)
``Type A'' Burnout	80	(1)
``Type B'' Burnout	80	(1)
Remedies	81	(1)
The Search Process---And Afterwards	82	(7)
Informing the Bishop	82	(1)
The Interim	82	(1)
The Search Process	83	(4)
Form a Search Committee	83	(1)
Conduct a Self-Study	84	(1)
Define the Qualities Needed	84	(1)
Assemble Resumes	85	(1)
Screen Resumes	85	(1)
Visits and Interviews	86	(1)
Decision and Implementation	86	(1)
A New Beginning	87	(2)
The Vestry Member's Spiritual Life	89	(5)
The Vestry Meeting and the Vestry Member	90	(1)
The Prayer Book Pattern	90	(1)
Intercession	91	(1)
Private Prayer and Meditation	92	(1)
A Rule of Life	93	(1)
The Diocese and the National Church	94	(6)
Church Government	94	(1)
Origins of the Episcopal Church's Government	95	(1)
Parish and Diocese	96	(1)
The National Church	97	(1)
The National Church and the Parish	98	(2)
In Conclusion	100	(23)
Appendices
Appendix 1 Summary of Relevant Canons	101	(2)
Concerning Buildings and Property	101	(1)
Concerning Finances	101	(1)
Vestry Responsibilities	101	(1)
Dealing with Conflict	102	(1)
Other Matters	102	(1)
Appendix 2 Leadership Roles	103	(4)
Appendix 3 Sample Property Surveys	107	(5)
Building Survey A	108	(1)
Building Survey B	109	(1)
Building Survey C	110	(1)
Grounds Survey D	111	(1)
Appendix 4 Sample Statements of Purpose	112	(1)
Appendix 5 Sample Columbarium Contract	113	(4)
Terms and Conditions	114	(3)
Appendix 6 Organizational Chart	117	(2)
Appendix 7 A Glossary of Church Terms	119	(1)
Appendix 8 Resources	120	(3)
Institutions	120	(1)
Books	121	(2)
Index	123