Key Roles in Anglican Churches

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The Rector

  • Leads a congregation, traditionally responsible for “spiritualities” (as opposed to “temporalities”)

  • Called by vestry, with consent of bishop. Once installed, has tenure; cannot be terminated by vestry. (Does not work for the vestry) [Note: there is a process for removal in cases of conflict set forth in the diocesan canons; it involves the Bishop]

  • Serves under a bishop; is a member of the diocese – not the congregation.

  • Is responsible for hiring and firing all other staff members, lay and ordained, in consultation with the vestry. (Assistant clergy selections and terminations must be done in consultation with the bishop); all staff “serve at the pleasure of the rector”

  • Note: traditionally, all staff submit resignations to new Rector, who decides whether or not to accept the resignations.

Rector’s Key Roles

  • To articulate and lead the vision

  • To build a team of disciples who make disciples

  • To provide for the spiritual needs of the congregation

  • Care for personal spiritual, emotional, and physical health in order to be able to do those things

 

Vestry

  • Manages the “temporalities” (finances; buildings and grounds) of the congregation in line with the vision

  • Elects the Rector, with the consent of the Bishop. (but cannot terminate him or her, without the Bishop’s consent.)

  • Approves the budget. (The congregation receives it, does not approve it.)

  • Supports the Rector in the spiritual leadership of congregation.

  • Presided over by the Rector; cannot meet without the Rector (or Rector’s approval)

  • Is elected by congregation, from nominees determined by rector and vestry; nominees must meet diocesan criteria, which include spiritual and theological qualifications.

  • Appoints a finance committee to give regular financial reports

  • Elects a Junior Warden and Treasurer. (The Senior Warden is chosen by Rector or by Rector and Vestry together.)

  • Can ask for the bishop’s help or advice for congregational, staff or vestry concerns. (Our Bishop welcomes such interaction.)

 

Wardens

  • Jr. and Sr. Wardens are elected by Rector and Vestry. (In DOMA, Sr. Warden elected by Rector or Rector and Vestry; Jr. warden elected by Vestry.

  • One of them (usually the Sr. Warden) presides at Vestry meetings in absence of Rector.

  • Usually function as team with Rector in overseeing work of Vestry.

  • Sr. Warden is responsible for the congregation in absence of the Rector.

  • Historically, Sr. Warden cared for Rector and Congregation as a whole; Jr. Warden responsible for Buildings and Grounds. Now it is more common for the two wardens to serve together to support the rector in assuring that that vestry functions well.

 

Staff

  • Not much in the Canons about staff, except that they serve “at the pleasure of the Rector”

  • Hiring of assistant clergy must be done in consultation with the Bishop

  • Normally are hired to fulfill a particular area of ministry, in line with the vision of the parish

  • Have compensation set by the vestry, in conversation with the Rector, as part of the budget process

  • Programmatic staff are normally responsible for building the ministry and mission of congregation members, not just to “do ministry.”

  • Like the Rector, normally are responsible for maintaining their own health, especially spiritual health.