St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

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Leadership Norms for St. Stephen's
Episcopal Church, Severn Parish

Church leadership includes most of the traits of organizational leadership, yet takes a step further. Like all leaders, church leaders are called to motivate and inspire others to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. But church leaders are called to do so from a spiritual basis and to center their understanding of the vision and mission on the idea of living into their spiritual calling from Jesus Christ and helping others to do so as well.

To help live its leadership role, the Vestry developed a set of norms (expectations) that its members covenant to follow. These were developed during the mid-year retreat, February 2001, and are based on a discussion and understanding of Luke 10:1-12. These norms are specifically expressed for Vestry members, but are applicable to all leadership roles in the church.

We do not work alone. ["the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come."]

We will attend the annual Vestry Retreat and Mid-Year Review to ensure full understanding of our mission and goals together.

We will participate in major parish events, including Confirmation, Bishop's visits, and the Annual meeting to ensure visibility and to reinforce the event's importance in the life of our parish.

We meet reasonable expectations. ["The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."]

We will regularly attend Vestry meetings -- missing not more than three regular or special meetings during a year -- so that we represent the full body of Christ in our work.

We will make and keep an annual pledge to demonstrate commitment to our united ministries.

We will adequately prepare in advance for meetings to ensure active participation and successful consideration of actions before us.

We will provide timely reports of activities to support effective communication.

We will offer honest expression of support or concerns to facilitate fair consideration of each issue.

We will do nothing without prayer. ["Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the field."]

We will attend worship regularly so that we experience prayer in community with the congregation.

We will participate in Christian study and/or adult formation classes to promote growth in our understanding of our mission and ministry.

We will use prayer to help us overcome differences and provide spiritual direction.

We will remain outwardly focused. ["Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road."]

We will actively solicit and gather information from parishioners to facilitate consideration of all aspects of parish life.

We will seek participation in leadership roles from outside the Vestry to strengthen the foundation of our ministries.

We will wear our nametags so that we lead by example.

We will maintain a positive outlook. ["The Kingdom of God has come near to you."]

We will speak of Vestry decisions with one voice to support our ministries.

We will respect opinions that differ from our own to encourage honest expression.

We will harbor no resentment when others seem not to appreciate our commitment.

We will protect our trust in one another by holding all confidences.

We will focus our activities on the goals we set. ["And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide."]

We will openly discuss our goals regularly with parishioners.

We will actively seek ideas, suggestions, and evaluation from parishioners about our goals.

We will candidly evaluate our progress and adjust our actions or modify our goals as needed.

We will be leaders in ministry. ["Go your way, I send you out."]

We will individually participate actively in at least one mission or ministry team.

Our Pledge

As Vestry members, we each covenant to faithfully strive to fulfill these obligations. If we fall short, we renew our intention. If we find we cannot meet these expectations, we acknowledge that we are not providing the leadership expected of our position and we resign our position so that it might be filled by someone whose situation allows fulfilling these obligations.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we also look to the greater whole and, after prayerful consideration, counsel any fellow member who is clearly not living into this covenant. If a Vestry member does not live into these expectations, after counseling, s/he ultimately may be asked to resign or may be removed from office. As members of the Vestry, we each accept that encouraging and ensuring appropriate participation from all Vestry members in part of our responsibility. We are our brothers' and sisters' keeper.