The Vestry Handbook Revised Edition Large Print

by Christopher L. Webber

Everything you need to know about vestry membership in one volume. The update to this classic manual includes sample job descriptions, new material on the spiritual life of vestry members, canons approved in 2000, additional information on dealing with sexual abuse in the parish, managing conflict, and handling money.

Genres: Religion, Reference, Church

126 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

"Priest, poet, and farmer" is the short summary. After many years of ministry in inner city, overseas (Tokyo), suburban, and rural locations I lived for twenty years in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Twenty acres of woods, garden, and orchard provided an excellent balance to writing. There's no better cure for writer's block than splitting some more firewood. Less than two years ago, however, I moved to San Francisco and am enjoying life in the city with its conveniences and cultural opportunities. Two books have been published in recent months and although my next book deadline is February 15, I'm doing what I can to promote "Dear Friends: Letters from St. Paul to Christians in America" and "Give Me Liberty: Seeches and Speakers that Shaped America."
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Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great guide from any new (or old!) vestry member. While it is true that you can just pick whatever chapter appeals to you and get a lot out of it, I did just read cover to cover (I may have skipped over parts about insurance and seminarians...). I am on my second year of vestry service (and this is my second church where I have been on the vestry), and I think it’s probably a good idea to read it every year you are on there! It offers focusing ideas and reminds you of where you should be going. The day-to-day can often take over your vestry service - this serves as a great reminder to keep you eye on all the important areas.

[Father Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource. Appreciate the sample materials, too.

[JA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun read

[Genna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I was hoping for a little more hand-holding-there-there from this book, but I realized eventually that, as in the case of my vestry, this is likely the sort of thing intended to be passed out to all new vestry members, and most new vestry members are probably not as obsessive about reading as I am, so, in the grand scheme of things, a briefer overview would be more helpful to more people. If you want a succinct summary of what on earth you've gotten yourself into, this book does the job nicely. Someday maybe I'll write the more self-help version I'd been hoping this was.

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serving on a vestry is a ministry. It was a gift for all new members when I joined a few years ago.

[Gordon Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for a book of this type. Brief, to the point, and not too dry.

[Trey Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for priests and vestries who want to understand what exactly it is a vestry does or should be doing.