The Vestry of Church of the Redeemer is a lay leadership team that partners with our rector, Fr. Paul, in oversight of the church. Each year, new members are needed to serve on the vestry as current members transition out. In keeping with our bylaws, a nominating team has been formed to identify potential new vestry members.
As part of this process, we welcome your written recommendations for new vestry members. We will consider all recommendations made to the committee, and from those recommendations will formally nominate new members for the vestry. Those nominees will then be put forward for a vote by the congregation at the annual meeting in the new year. Written recommendations can be submitted using this form; if you would prefer, you can instead submit a hard copy recommendation to any nominating committee member.
Fr. Paul provides answers to FAQs about the vestry and vestry service below. We encourage you to read through those as you prayerfully consider who you might recommend to the committee! Please contact any member of the nominating committee with questions: Ross Anderson, Sara Bramsen, Molly Niehls, or Eric Watkins.
FAQs
What are the duties and responsibilities of the Vestry, according to our bylaws?
A vestry has authority over the business and legal affairs of a church; its budget, finances, and property. Financial generosity is one very important part of discipleship, but we as Christians are called to not only offer our finances to the Lord but “ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice” (ACNA, Standard Eucharist text). Therefore, in addition to financial stewardship, the vestry also supports and partners with the rector in stewarding Church of the Redeemer’s mission and ministry through prayer, counsel, service, and accountability. For example: refining, communicating, and defending the vision and values of the church, and serving as an advisory council to the rector in matters of mission and ministry of Redeemer (COTR Bylaws: Article IV, Sec. 1 & Article VI, Sec.3).
What does the Vestry not do?
Although vestry members often lead and participate in various ministries within the church, vestry members are not selected as representatives of or advocates for particular ministry teams, worship practices, or doctrinal perspectives, but are called to serve the common good of the congregation. For example, although the vestry has provided input to decision-making related to pandemic mitigation, the rector is responsible to the Bishop in all matters of doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ (COTR Bylaws – Article VI, Sec. 2 & 3, ACNA C&C, Title III, Canon IV, Sec. 3).
According to our bylaws, what are the qualifications for service on the Vestry?
COTR Bylaws: Article IV, Sec. 2:
Members of the Vestry:
a. Shall Be Voting members of Redeemer;
b. Shall have shown their support of, and commitment to, the Vision and Values of Redeemer;
c. Shall have illustrated Godly character with a level of wisdom and maturity that is respected by the Congregation of Redeemer;
d. Shall have displayed leadership in a ministry of Redeemer;
e. Shall live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness;
f. Shall practice Sabbath and the notion of a balanced life, lead an active prayer life, know and continue to study Scripture, and be a cheerful giver;
g. Shall have time to serve effectively on the Vestry, appropriately prioritizing this commitment; and
h. Shall affirm the following declaration & promise, “I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary for salvation and I do yield my hearty consent to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as the Anglican Church in North America has received them. I promise that I will faithfully lead and serve as I am called as a member of this local Congregation to the best of my ability.”
What is the time commitment for Vestry service?
Vestry members are elected to serve either for a term of three years–or less than three years in the case of fulfilling incomplete terms–and may be elected to serve two consecutive terms (COTR Bylaws: Article IV, Sec.4a). The vestry meets at the direction of the rector, no less than eight times every 12 months. Vestry meetings are typically held on midweek evenings for approximately two-and-a-half hours.
What do our bylaws say about the timeline for nominating and selecting Vestry members to fill open spots?
COTR Bylaws: Article IV, Sec. 5:
a. Nominating Committee: At least two (2) months before the Annual Meeting a nominating committee will be chosen consisting of at least two (2) members of the Vestry, and at least two (2) other members of the Church, as chosen by the Vestry. The Nominating Committee will solicit suggestions for potential candidates from the Congregation, the Vestry, and pastoral staff until thirty (30) days before the Annual Meeting.
The nominating committee will be responsible for discerning that all candidates meet the qualifications for leadership (see Article 4, section 2) and presenting at least one (1) candidate to the Annual Meeting for each Vestry vacancy. There will be no nominations outside of those made by the nominating committee.
At least two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, the names of proposed candidates for the Vestry will be presented to the Congregation, and input shall be solicited from the Congregation.
b. Member Approval of the VestryThe candidates shall be approved by a simple majority vote at the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting.