I've been asked to run for vestry

[wryter2000]

Someone on the vestry at my church asked me to run. I suspect this means I'll be elected. l'm very honored but also a bit apprehensive. It seems like a big responsibility. Any words of wisdom?

[cbayer]

1. Even though I have no idea what that means, I will offer

you congratulations.

I think you would be a wonderful asset to any group you joined.

[wryter2000]

2. Thanks

As I understand vestry, it's the lay committee governing the parish in conjunction with the rector.

[cbayer]

3. Ah, politics.

I spent many years in the middle of it in another setting and I loved it very much….

but I miss it not at all. Towards the end I began to see how it could corrupt and that made me very uncomfortable.

You are a very honest and upstanding person, wryter, and I think you will be wonderful at this.

[ColesCountyDem]

4. As I understand the term, it's the equivalent of a board of trustees.

Good luck!

[wryter2000]

7. Thanks

That's about how I understand it.

[TexasProgresive]

5. I'm Catholic and our councils are

different than vestry. They are composed of lay people but the pastor has the last word. What I know of vestry is from "The Vicar of Dibley" a British comedy series starring Dawn French. Just for fun watch it if you get a chance.

I expect there will be some responsibility but it is a share responsibility. Do your best to do what is best for the parish.

[wryter2000]

8. Sounds like fun

l'll look for it

[hrmjustin]

6. Honest advice here is that it is time consuming.

If you have the time then I say run but if you don't have the time then don't.

Be prepared to see things in a different light then you do now.

[wryter2000]

9. That's kind of like what I understand

Still, this was going to come up, and I'd end up serving. Might as well do it now.

[hrmjustin]

10. Don't ever let them talk you into running for warden.

Then you will never get a moments rest.

But try a term on the vestry and see if you like it.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

11. I was on the parish council for my Catholic parish

I learnt more about the care, tending and replacement of large air conditioners than I had expected. I also know more about parish finances and budgets than I had before.

There will probably be one or two people who will try to dominate. If you disagree with them, don't let them bulldoze you. You will regret it. We had to dismantle our adult education program because one unqualified loudmouth insisted that he run it. Well, he ran it into the ground, so much so that we got rid of the program altogether for about three years (when that loudmouth was no longer on the council).

This does not apply to Catholic parishes, where the pastor will be assigned by the bishop, but I had a friend who was a Presbyterian who told me that if your church is hiring a new minister, be prepared for long hours, many interviews and very likely some contentious vestry meetings.

However, it can be a rewarding job. You will be in the center of how your church is run.

If I think of something later, I will post again.

[wryter2000]

12. Thanks

We got our rector 5 years ago. I hope we won't need a new one.