Vestry Resources
Resources to help you build a healthy, skilled vestry.
Members of the bishop’s staff stand ready to consult and work with vestries to help build healthy, skilled, and vibrant leadership teams. Consult the links below to explore additional resources for vestries.
Vestry Training Days
Our diocese periodically offers Vestry Training Days and Bishop’s Days with Vestries either in person or via Zoom in the spring. These events are excellent opportunities to learn about relevant topics for vestries, gain valuable resources, meet other vestry leaders in the diocese, and hear from our Bishop as well as featured speakers. Check back here to learn when the next offering is scheduled.
The Vestry Handbook
Fourth Edition - By Christopher L. Webber, published by Church Publishing Inc., will be released on January 2, 2024 to include updates about diversity and inclusion, parish finances, as well as suggestions for smaller congregations.
Vestry Resource Guide
By Nancy Davidge - Published by Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) provides guidance on a wide range of vestry topics that can be useful for both new and experienced vestry members.
Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF)
Visit the ECF website to explore a wide range of resources to inspire and nurture church leaders.
- Congregational Vitality Assessment
- Vestry Papers
- ECF Vital Practices
Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT)
The CAT is a powerful customizable assessment instrument by Holy Cow Consulting that uses an evidence-based discernment process. Additionally, the data generated is benchmarked which means it can provide insight into individual church trends compared to other congregations in the Holy Cow database. The CAT can measure energy and satisfaction, identify the critical success factors, gauge readiness for change, identify where members want energy placed, highlight strengths, help prepare for succession planning or a clergy search. The cost of the instrument varies depending on the size of the congregation. Interpretation of the CAT is done by a certified diocesan CAT interpreter.
Click the link above to learn more about this powerful tool. Contact Canon Lynn Farlin, lfarlin@diosova.org, if you have questions.
Sermon for Every Sunday
America's best preachers deliver fresh, lectionary-based video sermons to your church's door in time for worship each week. It’s a great resource for small churches, Bible studies, Sunday school classes, and individual use. Free of charge for the foreseeable future, thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor.
Development Basics 101
Episcopal Diocese of Texas - Links to a variety of articles and resources, including the 12 Marks of Healthy Church Behavior and its 12 Marks of Healthy Church Behavior Assessment Tool.
Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF)
ECBF is a dynamic collaborator, a catalytic agent gifted at converting missional dreams into realities grounded in solid sustainable financial footing. They work with church leaders to collectively take a proactive approach to declining membership, declining revenue, and buildings in need of redevelopment. They help leaders create courageous visions that are not simply catchphrases, but investment positions. Click the link to learn more and explore their loan options for projects big and small.
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
TENS is an association of church leaders who understand, practice, and proclaim God’s call to generosity. TENS provides an annual stewardship campaign that churches in our diocese can access free of charge (Southern Virginia is a TENS member diocese), as well as webinars and events that focus on stewardship and fundraising.