VESTRY NOMINATIONS - WHAT IS THE PROCESS & HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE
Introduction
Every year, during November, we have a 2-week window in which every member of our church is invited to nominate other members to serve on the Vestry. This year, that window will open on Wednesday, November 5th and close on Wednesday, November 19th. Nominations can be submitted digitally through an online form that will go live on our website during that window. What follows is everything you need to know to participate meaningfully in the nomination process.
What is a VESTRY?
Historic churches in England had a room called the “vestry” where priests would put on their robes prior to leading worship services. The church’s lay leadership would host their meetings here, and over time the leadership group became known by the name of the room where they met. A vestry therefore, is our church’s chief lay (i.e. non-ordained or staff) leadership team, who advises the Rector (priest in charge), models and protects our church’s vision, oversees church finances, and safeguards church policies and operations.
Who Serves on Our Vestry?
Any members of our church who have completed Mission Pathways, officially joined the Mission as members, have been confirmed into the Anglican Church (or would be willing to be confirmed at the bishop’s next visit), and meet the other qualifications outlined below, are eligible to serve on the Vestry. Vestry members serve for a term of 3 years. Each year 2 Vestry members roll off of our Vestry and 2 new members are selected to serve.
How Are Vestry Members Selected?
Vestry member selection is a multi-month process of discernment and prayer that involves the entire congregation. The process begins with nominations. We have an online Vestry nomination form you can fill out to nominate someone to serve on the Vestry. You do not need to ask a person if they are willing to serve prior to nominating them. In fact, it is best practice to nominate someone to the vestry without their knowledge. There will be a 2-week window in which Vestry members can be nominated. After the window closes, our Nomination Commitee composed of Fr. William, David Nguyen, and Lisa Hill will review nominees to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements. All eligible nominees will be presented to the full Vestry and will then be contacted in early December to see if they are willing to serve. Those who are willing, submit a short application with references, and share a short interview with the current Vestry members in early January. In accordance with our Code of Regulations, the Vestry then determines which candidates are the best fit to serve on our Vestry at this time. These final candidates fill out and submit short biographies along with pictures to be shared with the congregation in preparation for the annual congregational meeting in late February where the congregation’s members will vote to elect the new Vestry members who begin their 3-year term as soon as the Annual Meeting concludes.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Vestry Candidates?
1) Commitment – Vestry Members, if elected, commit to serve for a term of 3 years.
2) Regular Attendance at Meetings & Annual Vestry Retreat – Vestry members are expected to regularly attend ~5-6 meetings/year as well as fellowship dinners on non-meeting months. The Vestry also goes on an annual retreat (Friday evening – Saturday) in March following each year’s annual meeting. Meetings are scheduled well in advance and members’ schedules are takien into consideration.
3) Preparation – Prior to each Vestry meeting, members are expected to spend time carefully reading the agenda and relevant documents sent out by the Vestry Chair, so we all begin the meeting well-informed and prepared to share considered views on each meeting topic.
4) Communication – Vestry members are expected to communicate regularly, promptly and transparently with other vestry members and with the clergy of The Mission. It is also expected that if last-minute conflicts come up that will cause a Vestry member to miss or be late to a meeting, that said Vestry member will communicate this conflict and how it will impact participation with the Vestry chair as soon as they become aware of it.
5) Completion of both stages of Mission Pathways and Formal Joining of the Church –As leaders in the church, Vestry members must have completed Mission Pathways and joined the church as a member prior to the 2026 Annual Meeting.
6) Confirmation or Reception into the Anglican Church in North America – Vestry members must be confirmed members of the ACNA or be willing to be confirmed or received by the bishop at his next visit.
7) Regular and exemplary participation in worship and community life of the church – Vestry members are expected to be exemplary members of the congregation, and as such should be seen by other members of the parish as robustly living into our core commitments of belong, grow, serve, and go. This includes regular presence & participation in Sunday worship, service within the church community, a love for our city and unreached people, and involvement in the community life of our church.
8) Regular, planned financial generosity – Vestry members demonstrate maturity and leadership in financial support of the church’s vision and mission. Vestry members are expected to participate in the annual pledgeship process.
Are There Any Specifics You are Looking for in Vestry Candidates for this year?
We are hoping to add 2 new members to our Vestry in 2026. We value gender balance and age diversity amongst our Vestry members, but are open to considering both male and female candidates this year. We are less in need of specific skills than in years past, but we do want Vestry members who are mature believers, love The Mission Cincinnati, believe in and invest in our church’s vision and mission, and who will help us continue to grow and mature our Vestry culture, even as we grow and develop our church’s ministries.
What Are Vestry Members’ Responsibilities?
Vestry members, if elected, commit to a 3-year term of service. To serve on a Vestry is a MINISTRY calling with an ADMINISTRATIVE focus. At present, the Vestry meets 5-6 times/year beginning with a Vestry retreat which will take place in March 2026. Typical meetings involve the Vestry and Rector praying for the church, approving and reviewing church ministry updates and financial reports, and advising the rector on key strategic and operational items in the life and ministry of the church. There are also specific roles within the Vestry such as Treasurer, Secretary, and Junior & Senior Warden which involve specific work in certain areas of gifting and experience. These special roles will be elected by the Vestry each year. Broadly speaking, Vestry members have 5 key responsibilities. They
1) protect the vision of the church,
2) support the methods & means of fulfilling the churches vision and mission,
3) uphold the financial integrity of the church and ensure other legal & procedural safeguards are in place for our community,
4) support and advise the rector as a spiritual leader, and
5) model a strong commitment to generosity.
In the unlikely event that something were to happen to the Rector and he/she would need to be replaced, the Vestry would work with our Bishop, Mark Engel, to find a suitable replacement. Serving as a part of the Vestry will involve helping to put into place many key systems and processes that will help our church grow and mature in our love for Jesus, service to our city, and effectiveness in living out our vision and mission.
Why Is It Important to Have a Strong Vestry & Why is Robust Congregational Participation in the Nomination Process Important?
Strong lay leadership ensures leadership accountability, congregational health, and operational safety within a local church. A healthy Vestry establishes the clear leadership voice of our laity, and indicates that we are empowering our people to lead and serve. A healthy Vestry also visibly shows that the church does not belong to our staff or one key leadership personality: the vision and mission of this congregation has been given by God to ALL its members and it is ours to steward well. Therefore, we need the participation of as many of our members as possible in the nomination process to ensure as many great candidates as possible are identified and put forward.
How Should I Prepare to Nominate Someone?
Read over this description. Pray for God’s direction, and for His provision of wise and faithful leaders for our church. As you read over this description of a Vestry member and pray, consider whether there is anyone in our congregation who comes to mind? Anyone who meets the Biblical qualifications of an elder as established by the Apostle Paul in Titus 1:6-9? Anyone who you think of as an exemplary member of our church? Someone who truly goes above and beyond to live out the 4 core commitments of belonging, growing, serving, and going? If you sense the Lord placing a specific person (or multiple people) on your heart, that may be an indication that they are a good person to nominate. When you feel confident they would be a good fit to serve on the vestry, fill out the Vestry Nomination Form on our website during the nomination window. The link to access & complete this form will go live at the bottom of this page on Wednesday, November 5th.
Have Questions?
Great! We’d be happy to answer them. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email our People’s Warden, David Nguyen at dnguyen106@gmail.com.
Link to our Nomination Form will go Live HERE on Wednesday, 11/5.