Church Leadership 101: The Vestry

What is a vestry?

The vestry is the group of lay members who help lead the church. They serve as trustees for the parish, overseeing church property and helping manage the parish’s relationship with its clergy. Their main responsibilities include handling the day-to-day business of the parish, selecting and calling the rector, and making sure the church building and grounds are well cared for.

​Vestry members are women and men who feel called to live out their baptismal promise as lay leaders—representing Christ and the Church, sharing their faith in daily life, working toward healing and reconciliation in the world using their own unique gifts, and taking an active role in the life, worship, and leadership of the Church (BCP 855).

​DISCIPLESHIP

​Christian leaders are followers, followers of Christ. Christian leaders are able to lead others because they have a leader. Leadership begins with discipleship, and what it can accomplish. Serving on the vestry takes on a job that requires priority in time and energy. It is not just “one more committee”, but if given the time, and grounded in prayer and a spirit of discipleship, it can change your life.

LEADERSHIP

Vestry members are called to be leaders. Leadership involves working to realize a vision of what the parish could be but is not. Leadership is also a matter of prayer and Bible study. Financial and property concerns of a vestry are not something wholly separate from the church’s life of worship or its mission to serve others.

VESTRY REPRESENTATION

​The vestry members are elected by the whole parish and should try to represent the interests of all parish members, and acts as the Board of Directors of the church.

​STEWARDSHIP

​Stewardship is a way of living in which the parish and all its members should be growing all year and every year. The vestry should be clearly committed to a high standard of stewardship. Stewardship is, a biblical priority. Stewardship giving should include not only the annual pledge but donations of time and talent, deferred giving and bequests. The vestry must practice stewardship with the resources given. Money must be used carefully within the parish with the resources it is given, and the needs of others should have a high priority (Mathew 25:31-46) as well as the work of evangelism (Mathew 28: 18-20)

THE ROLE OF A VESTRY MEMBER

​“The vestry of an Episcopal church has three primary responsibilities. The first two are managerial: to take care of the parish finances and parish buildings. The third responsibility is to choose individuals to fill various positions of parish leadership” and representation. All responsibilities are defined by the laws of the church and are called “canons.”

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA - CANON 19 - PARISH VESTRIES AND OFFICERS

​Section 1 – In each Parish there shall be a Vestry consisting of the Rector, When there is one, two Wardens, and not fewer than five nor more than twenty-five Vestry members, who shall administer the temporal affairs of the Parish; elect and call the Rector; and properly maintain the church and all other buildings and grounds belonging to the Parish. Wardens and Vestry members shall be confirmed Communicants in good standing of the Parish who are at least eighteen years of age and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VESTRY LEADERSHIP?

All Vestry members must be:
  • Confirmed communicants in good standing:
    • Have been Baptized
    • Have received Holy Communion at least three times during the preceding year
    • Have been confirmed or received into the communion of The Episcopal Church by the laying on of hands by a Bishop
    • Have been faithful in corporate worship during the preceding year
    • Have been, as the canons of the Church say, “faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God”
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Members of the parish for at least 12 months
  • Financial contributors of record to the parish during the preceding 6 months.

WHAT ARE THE ONGOING EXPECTATIONS OF Grace Memorial's VESTRYPERSONS?

The ongoing expectations of Vestrypersons are that they act as leaders who exemplify our mission statement (Growing in Relationships, Growing in Service, Growing in Christ) by:
  • Being faithful in attendance at corporate worship
  • Being faithful in attendance at Vestry meetings
  • Being among the first each year to turn in a financial commitment card
  • Being present at major church and school events
  • Being faithful in daily prayer, praying regularly for God’s guidance, and understanding that their spirituality informs their fiduciary* responsibility to the parish
  • Being aware of and involved in parish Christian formation programs, fellowship, and service opportunities
  • Working cooperatively with the clergy, staff, and other lay people in the St. Paul’s Community to form an environment of mutual respect and trust
  • Being open and welcoming to all people and being at the forefront of showing hospitality to newcomers
  • Understanding that they are called to active leadership in the parish even when their term on the Vestry ends

Next Vestry Term: 2026-2029

  • Vestry members are elected for a three year term and are expected to attend one meeting per month, in addition to serving on their assigned subcommittee and contributing to the overall well-being of the church and community.
  • Our current meeting schedule is the third Sunday of the month following the 10:00 AM service.
  • We will elect 3 new vestry members at the church annual meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Please contact Mtr. Liz at the button to the right to express interest in serving on the vestry and ask questions.
Adapted from St. Paul's Episcopal Church New Orleans, LA

​Sources:
“The Book of Common Prayer”
“The Vestry Handbook” - Revised Edition - Christopher L. Webber.
“Vestry Reflections” - Cultivating Spiritual Growth in Church Leaders - Marc D. Smith.